Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

Acquire hands-on experience and practical skills in our early childhood education master’s program.

Oakland University’s Master of Education in Early Childhood Education qualifies you to work with children from birth to age 8 in schools, community learning centers, and other ECE settings. Designed for working adults who are balancing graduate school with full-time jobs, our early childhood education master’s degree equips you to mobilize a broad range of resources on behalf of young children and their families. You’ll learn from seasoned early childhood educators in real-world settings, getting interdisciplinary ECE training that encompasses diverse cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and developmental exceptionalities.

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Oakland University’s Master of Education in Early Childhood Education qualifies you to work with children from birth to age 8 in schools, community learning centers, and other ECE settings. Designed for working adults who are balancing graduate school with full-time jobs, our early childhood education master’s degree equips you to mobilize a broad range of resources on behalf of young children and their families. You’ll learn from seasoned early childhood educators in real-world settings, getting interdisciplinary ECE training that encompasses diverse cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and developmental exceptionalities.

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Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education: The Oakland University Advantage

Widely considered one of Michigan’s top training grounds for early childhood educators, the Oakland University School of Education and Human Services maintains strong partnerships with school districts and community organizations throughout our region. You can leverage our network to develop professional connections that accelerate your early childhood education career.

Choose our early childhood education master’s degree if you seek:

  • Hands-on training. In the ECE master’s program, you’ll gain knowledge and experience in early childhood theory, curriculum, play, child assessment and other early childhood education essentials.
  • Interdisciplinary skills. Our master’s degree in early childhood education emphasizes whole-community support. You’ll learn to engage not only young children but also their families, while collaborating with aligned professionals in special education, mental health, social work, health care, and other disciplines.
  • A focus on inclusivity. Oakland’s far-reaching community alliances enable you to work with diverse populations from broad socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Supportive faculty relationships. Our master’s degree program is led by seasoned early childhood educators who teach from first-hand experience. You’ll work with accomplished practitioners who offer professional guidance and mentorship in addition to academic instruction.-
  • Research opportunities. To complete the master’s degree in early childhood education, you’ll design and implement an original action research project. During this year-long investigation you’ll identify questions for inquiry, develop the methodology, gather and analyze data, and write up your findings.
  • Flexibility and convenience. To accommodate the schedules of working professionals, our ECE master’s degree program uses a combination of evening and online classes.

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education?

If you hold an active Michigan teaching license at the elementary level, our early childhood education master’s program includes coursework that makes you eligible for Early Childhood (ZS) endorsement. 

Whether or not you earn the endorsement, you’ll be qualified for a range of jobs in early childhood education upon completion of the master’s degree. Some examples include:

  • Elementary school teacher
    • A Teaching Certificate is needed
  • Preschool teacher
  • Childcare center director
  • Special educator
    • A Teaching Certificate is needed
  • Head Start program director
  • Before- and after-school program leader
  • Program evaluator
  • Diagnostic and testing coordinator

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education: What You’ll Study

The Early Childhood Education master’s degree requires nine courses totaling 36 credits. The courses are as follows:

  • Theories of Child Development and Education
  • Family, Child and Learning in Cultural Context
  • Applied Developmental Principles
  • Adult-Child Interaction: Play and Mediation of Learning
  • Observation and Assessment of the Young Child
  • Teacher as Child Advocate and Adult Educator
  • Elective 
  • Research Project in Early Childhood Education: Phase I
  • Research Project in Early Childhood Education: Phase II

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Resources

Programs Related to the Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Not sure if the early childhood education master’s degree is right for you? Check out these other graduate degree programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.

  • Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood (ZS) Endorsement
  • Master of Education in Special Education
  • Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education