Early Childhood Education Masters Programs Online

Advance your teaching career on your schedule with this fully online graduate degree.

California University of Pennsylvania's Early Childhood Education master's degree is a 100% online graduate program for certified teachers in elementary, special or early childhood education. In this program you will gain and apply in-depth knowledge of child development, families and best teaching practices in a variety of education settings.

This program is for individuals who wish to expand their career options by earning a master of education degree but do not wish to pursue early childhood education teaching certification.

Discover Cal U's time-tested approach to teacher education.

This professional graduate program is centered on research-based best practices in the field of early childhood education.
Our focus on experiential learning will prepare you to be a top classroom leader.
Cal U has a 160-year reputation for producing top teachers in Pennsylvania and beyond.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Top Accreditation: This graduate degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Cal U's education programs have also been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954, and we are continuing with the successor organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). See CAEP reporting measures of program impact and outcomes.

Hands-on Learning: As an early childhood education graduate student, you'll have the opportunity to complete an internship in an early childhood/preschool setting under the supervision of a sponsoring organization and the University. This internship, contingent upon approval by the program coordinator, is only required if you do not have previous early childhood education experience (i.e., formal work and/or teaching experience working with pre-K to grade 4 children)

Learn more about applying.

Top 50

Cal U's online program in early childhood education is ranked 13th in the Top 50 Best Online Master's in Early Education Childhood programs 2015, presented by Superscholar.com.

#26

Cal U's online master's degree in education was ranked #26 in the nation in 2017 by GraduatePrograms.com.

Degree Benefits

As an early childhood education master's degree student at Cal U, you will benefit from:

The flexibility and ease of online courses that can be taken anywhere, any time.
Support from your peers in a cohort consisting of fellow students who follow the same class schedule.
Personal advising by telephone or email.
Job-placement support from Cal U's Career and Professional Development Center.

Graduate Outcomes

New career opportunities have evolved for teachers with a strong background in early childhood education. This degree will enable you to meet the specific needs of children, and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. Our alumni have gone on to jobs in:

Public and private schools' pre-K to grade 4 education programs.
Preschool programs.
Head Start and child care centers.
Parenting and family support programs.

Curriculum and Admission Requirements

From early childhood education curriculum and assessment to advanced psychology of learning, this comprehensive master's degree program will give you the knowledge and skills you need for a rewarding career in the education of young students. The program can be completed successfully in five semesters, including summers.

Curriculum

Course	Credits
ECE 700 Early Childhood Curriculum & Assessment	3
ECE 702 Advanced Childhood Development	3
ECE 703 Literacy Development	3
ECE 704 Special Topics in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 705 Science & Math in Early Childhood	3
ECE 707 Leadership & Management in Early Childhood Settings	3
EDE 701 Standards Aligned Curriculum, Instruction & Assessments	3
ESP 610 Special Ed Foundations Collab	3
PSY 712 Advanced Psychology of Learning	3
RES 800 Methods of Research	3
Total	30

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Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Regular)

Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.80 or a 3.00 in last 48 credits earned (Students with a GPA below 2.80 may apply for conditional admission)
Official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution
Master's with certification AND Certification Only: Copy of PA teaching certification in elementary, early childhood or special education

Applicants in other states will have six months after admission to secure and submit evidence of PA Department of Education certification

Master's Only: Resume will be evaluated on the basis of prior studies and/or significant professional experience
International Global Online Applicants

Conditional Admission Requirements

Conditional Admission may be granted with the following modifications of the Regular Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor's degree with a GPA under 2.80 will be reviewed for a decision

Provisional Admission:
Applicants who have provided unofficial documentation of test scores, prerequisite courses, transcripts or lack of letter(s) of recommendation may be admitted provisionally.

This policy also applies to undergraduate students who apply for graduate admission pending bachelor degree completion. Upon receipt of all official documents, a student will be changed from Provisional Admission to either Regular Admission or Conditional Admission. Provisional Admission students may take classes for one term but will not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

How to Apply:

Complete the Graduate School Application
Submit the non-refundable $35 Application Fee
Mail official transcript to:

School of Graduate Studies and Research
California University of Pennsylvania
Box 91
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419

For additional information:
Email: calugo@calu.edu
Phone: 1.866.595.6348

Out of State Students:
All students who will be seeking certification outside of Pennsylvania are responsible for securing and following the certification requirements in the state in which they intend to apply for certification.

Career at a Glance

Meet Ashley Baird Roth '10, '12. After obtaining both her bachelor's degree and master's degree from Cal U's College of Education, she went on to become director of The Village Early Childhood Education Center in California, Pennsylvania, where she oversees nationally accredited childcare programs. Roth also shares her expertise as an adjunct professor in Cal U's Childhood Education Department.

A Cal U student helps a child with a project.

What do Program Alumni Have to Say?

"Principals and administrators compliment the Cal U program when they see my lesson development and dedication to the profession firsthand." - Ashley Szala '15