Master of Science in Education Early Childhood Education Studies courses
Early Childhood Education Studies coursework overview
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- total quarter credits: 46
- Quarter length: 10 weeks
- Course length: 10 weeks
- Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Course requirements
- Core 6 courses
- Specialization 5 courses
- Practicum 1 course
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ED5010
Core Foundations of Master's Studies in Education
4 quarter credits
Students acquire and use graduate-level skills, including critically examining and applying relevant educational theory to teaching practice. Students examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations. Should be taken alone. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.
4 quarter credits
ED5146
Core Assessment and Evaluation in Education
4 quarter credits
Students examine the background, context, and practice of assessment of student learning and evaluation of educational programs. They apply their knowledge to design appropriate assessment plans that can be implemented in the classroom; and school or organizational level to promote improvement and accountability.
4 quarter credits
ED5343
Core Education in a Contemporary Society
4 quarter credits
Students evaluate multicultural theories by analyzing topics, such as cultural identity, cultural awareness, cultural competence, and apply these concepts to educational settings.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7860
Core Survey of Research Methods
4 quarter credits
Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest.
4 quarter credits
Specialization Elective Specialization Elective
4 quarter credits
ED5405
Specialization Course Infant and Child Development
4 quarter credits
This course addresses the developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to age eight years. Students examine how children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually; and evaluate the influences family, society, and culture have on infant, toddler, and K-grade three child development. Students also assess children's evolving needs and apply theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs.
4 quarter credits
ED5410
Specialization Course The Early Childhood Learning Environment
4 quarter credits
This course covers the early childhood environment and its effects on growth and learning. Students evaluate the physical environment, the role of the caregivers and teachers, and the interaction among children, and identify methods of increasing child engagement, effective communication, and learning. Students explore ways to create supportive and nurturing learning environments and how to monitor, reflect, and adjust them to best meet the needs of young children. Students also become familiar with the responsibilities associated with working in the early childhood learning field. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs.
4 quarter credits
ED5420
Core Exceptional Children in the Early Childhood Setting
4 quarter credits
In this course, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to apply research-based practices, including coordination with special service providers for students who have Individual Education Programs (IEPs), Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or 504 plans, to meet the needs of young students in an inclusive environment. Students identify strategies to respond to behaviors and needs outside the expected stages of development. Students also examine authentic and formative assessment strategies that result in developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction for children with various needs. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405.
4 quarter credits
ED5430
Specialization Course Children, Families, and Society
4 quarter credits
Students examine the importance of actively engaging families in the education and care of children. Students engage in an ecological approach to children's relationships with parents, caregivers, and the broader community. Students analyze the characteristics, lifestyles, and contributions associated with various groups to gain an understanding of the impact of human behavior on children's growth and development. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s):ED5405
4 quarter credits
ED5440
Specialization Course Early Childhood Reading and Literacy Instruction
4 quarter credits
Students gain an understanding of theories that drive strategies and practices for teaching reading and promoting literacy in children. Students identify the factors significant to literacy development in children, including the classroom environment, family and community connections, and best practices in professional development for reading and writing instruction. Students also work with children on improving their reading and literacy ability and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with excellence in reading and literacy curriculum development, instruction, and assessment. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405
4 quarter credits
ED6950
Capstone Capstone for Master of Science in Education
6 quarter credits
In the capstone course, students demonstrate proficiency in the program's competencies by integrating learning from required courses to complete a final project. Must be taken during the student's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): ED5538 or ED5730 or ED5440 or ED5712 or ED5808 or ED5570 or ED5574. For students in MEd in Teaching & Learning ED5306 or RSCH7860, MS in Education innovation and Technology students EDT5142 or ED5146.
6 quarter credits
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ED5420
Core Exceptional Children in the Early Childhood Setting
4 quarter credits
In this course, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to apply research-based practices, including coordination with special service providers for students who have Individual Education Programs (IEPs), Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or 504 plans, to meet the needs of young students in an inclusive environment. Students identify strategies to respond to behaviors and needs outside the expected stages of development. Students also examine authentic and formative assessment strategies that result in developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction for children with various needs. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405.
4 quarter credits
ED5146
Core Assessment and Evaluation in Education
4 quarter credits
Students examine the background, context, and practice of assessment of student learning and evaluation of educational programs. They apply their knowledge to design appropriate assessment plans that can be implemented in the classroom; and school or organizational level to promote improvement and accountability.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7860
Core Survey of Research Methods
4 quarter credits
Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest.
4 quarter credits
ED5010
Core Foundations of Master's Studies in Education
4 quarter credits
Students acquire and use graduate-level skills, including critically examining and applying relevant educational theory to teaching practice. Students examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations. Should be taken alone. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.
4 quarter credits
ED5343
Core Education in a Contemporary Society
4 quarter credits
Students evaluate multicultural theories by analyzing topics, such as cultural identity, cultural awareness, cultural competence, and apply these concepts to educational settings.
4 quarter credits
Show all descriptions
ED5440
Specialization Course Early Childhood Reading and Literacy Instruction
4 quarter credits
Students gain an understanding of theories that drive strategies and practices for teaching reading and promoting literacy in children. Students identify the factors significant to literacy development in children, including the classroom environment, family and community connections, and best practices in professional development for reading and writing instruction. Students also work with children on improving their reading and literacy ability and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with excellence in reading and literacy curriculum development, instruction, and assessment. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405
4 quarter credits
ED5405
Specialization Course Infant and Child Development
4 quarter credits
This course addresses the developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to age eight years. Students examine how children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually; and evaluate the influences family, society, and culture have on infant, toddler, and K-grade three child development. Students also assess children's evolving needs and apply theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs.
4 quarter credits
ED5504
Specialization Elective Strategies for Differentiated Instruction
4 quarter credits
Students in this course examine the origins and complexities of student achievement gaps. Students also explore current student achievement research and best practices and identify instructional strategies most likely to eliminate achievement gaps. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district.
4 quarter credits
ED5707
Specialization Elective Instruction for Students with Disabilities
4 quarter credits
Students identify ways to develop differentiated academic lesson plans (e.g., reading, writing, calculation, or mathematical reasoning). Students examine how research-based instruction can support students with disabilities. Students also develop methods of managing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This course requires access to a P - 12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P - 12 school or district.
4 quarter credits
ED5410
Specialization Course The Early Childhood Learning Environment
4 quarter credits
This course covers the early childhood environment and its effects on growth and learning. Students evaluate the physical environment, the role of the caregivers and teachers, and the interaction among children, and identify methods of increasing child engagement, effective communication, and learning. Students explore ways to create supportive and nurturing learning environments and how to monitor, reflect, and adjust them to best meet the needs of young children. Students also become familiar with the responsibilities associated with working in the early childhood learning field. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s): ED5405. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs.
4 quarter credits
ED5430
Specialization Course Children, Families, and Society
4 quarter credits
Students examine the importance of actively engaging families in the education and care of children. Students engage in an ecological approach to children's relationships with parents, caregivers, and the broader community. Students analyze the characteristics, lifestyles, and contributions associated with various groups to gain an understanding of the impact of human behavior on children's growth and development. This course requires access to educational settings, programs, and/or practitioners with a focus on children from birth to age eight. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning except by coursework from Minnesota schools with approved licensure programs. Prerequisite(s):ED5405
4 quarter credits
Show all descriptions
ED6950
Capstone Capstone for Master of Science in Education
6 quarter credits
In the capstone course, students demonstrate proficiency in the program's competencies by integrating learning from required courses to complete a final project. Must be taken during the student's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): ED5538 or ED5730 or ED5440 or ED5712 or ED5808 or ED5570 or ED5574. For students in MEd in Teaching & Learning ED5306 or RSCH7860, MS in Education innovation and Technology students EDT5142 or ED5146.
6 quarter credits