Early Childhood Education, MA < Northeastern University Academic Catalog

This program is designed to prepare our students to work as leaders in teaching or administration in early childhood settings, including preschools and child development programs. In addition, the program prepares students to teach early childhood education topics in community colleges or adult education programs. Our students often continue their education to pursue research or doctoral degrees, as well as other forms of professional leadership. The program provides a strong foundation in child development and in developmentally, culturally, and linguistically responsive practices. The full-time MA programs can be pursued alongside the following teaching credentials: early childhood special education, multiple subjects (for K–8 teaching), or educational leadership.

Special Education Credential

In combination with the early childhood education MA, this program prepares students to work in early intervention and preschool special education settings with infants and young children who have developmental disabilities. Graduates see that working with families, caregivers, and communities is integral to the education and care of young children with special needs. (See program details for specific information on the multiple subjects and administrative services credentials.)

Coursework

A total of 42 semester hours are required to earn the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with coursework leading to eligibility for the Special Education Credential. Coursework integrates theory and practice to prepare students to teach in urban settings and is guided by an overarching concern for social justice. All courses listed below, along with state-mandated fieldwork and assessments, fulfill the requirements to meet eligibility for the Preliminary Education Specialist, Early Childhood Special Education Credential, in the state of California. The final authority to grant a credential lies with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Fieldwork

The early childhood education department maintains the belief that coursework and fieldwork must be integrated. Therefore, courses have assignments requiring engagement in educational settings, and students are placed in experiential learning/educational fieldwork every semester of the two-year program. During a student's first year, they are placed at the Mills College Children's School, where they are closely mentored by experienced and knowledgeable early childhood professionals. Students participate in weekly reflective circles with team members, where they discuss instructional decisions and interventions, receive feedback, and identify the next steps for supporting children and families. During the second year, student teaching occurs in an early intervention setting and a preschool/kindergarten setting. In their field placements, students have an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of effective early intervention and preschool special education. These experiential learning experiences total over 900 hours and therefore far exceed the 600 hours of fieldwork required by the state accrediting body, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Throughout the course sequence of the ECSE program, students compile a digital portfolio, which includes course assignments such as reflection pieces, presentations, and papers. The portfolio provides evidence of varied experiences, depth of knowledge, and critical reflection around instruction gained during the program.

Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality.
Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality.

Please note: All courses listed below, along with state-mandated fieldwork and assessments, fulfill the requirements to meet eligibility for the Preliminary Education Specialist, Early Childhood Special Education Credential, in the state of California. The final authority to grant a credential lies with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Required Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
EDUT 6210	Graduate Seminar: Research in Education 1	3
EDUT 6211	Graduate Seminar: Research in Education 2	3
Complete at least two of the following (all four courses are required for the Early Childhood Special Education Concentration):		6-12
EDUT 6202	Children with Special Needs: Infants and Young Children
EDUT 6203	Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education 1: Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children
EDUT 6204	Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education 2: Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children
EDUT 6213	Language Development: Literacy, Communication, and Multilingualism

Concentration Options

Complete one of the following concentrations:

Administrative Services
Early Childhood Special Education
Multiple Subject Education

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

39–42 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required

Concentration in Administrative Services

Coursework that prepares students for the Administrative Services Credential is listed below:

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
EDUT 6300	School Law and Public Policy	3
EDUT 6301	Instructional Leadership	4
EDUT 6302	Field Experience 1: Educational Leadership	2
EDUT 6303	Field Experience 2: Educational Leadership	2
EDUT 6304	Working with Families and the Community	3
EDUT 6305	Human Resource Management in Education	4
EDUT 6306	School Leadership	4
EDUT 6307	Fiscal and Business Services	4
EDUT 6308	Trauma-Informed Leadership	4

Concentration in Early Childhood Special Education

Coursework that prepares students for the Special Education Credential is listed below:

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
EDUT 6200	Cultivating Critical Consciousness in Practice	3
EDUT 6201	Legal Aspects and Program Design of Special Education	3
EDUT 6202	Children with Special Needs: Infants and Young Children	3
EDUT 6203	Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education 1: Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children	3
EDUT 6204	Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education 2: Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children	3
EDUT 6205	Family Systems and Cultural Diversity	3
EDUT 6206	Assessment and Intervention for Children with Special Needs	3
EDUT 6207	Positive Behavior Support and Intervention	3
EDUT 6208	Field Experience in Early Childhood Special Education 1	3
EDUT 6209	Field Experience in Early Childhood Special Education 2	3
EDUT 6212	Leadership and Administration in Early Childhood Programs	3
EDUT 6213	Language Development: Literacy, Communication, and Multilingualism	3

Concentration in Multiple Subject Education

Coursework that prepares students for the Multiple Subject Education Credential is listed below:

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
EDUT 6100	Sociopolitical Foundations 1	2
EDUT 6101	Sociopolitical Foundations 2	1
EDUT 6102	Sociopolitical Foundations 3	1
EDUT 6103	Human and Community Development 1	2
EDUT 6104	Human and Community Development 2	1
EDUT 6106	Multiliteracies 1—Multidiscipline	2
EDUT 6107	Multiliteracies 2—Multiple Subjects	1
EDUT 6112	Methodologies of English-Language Development and Content Instruction 1	2
EDUT 6115	Curriculum and Instruction 1—Multiple Subjects	2
EDUT 6116	Curriculum and Instruction 2—Multiple Subjects	2
EDUT 6117	Curriculum and Instruction 3—Multiple Subjects	2
EDUT 6124	Pedagogical Content Knowledge Lab 1—Multiple Subjects	2
EDUT 6125	Pedagogical Content Knowledge Lab 2—Multiple Subjects	3
EDUT 6126	Pedagogical Content Knowledge Lab 3—Multiple Subjects	3
EDUT 6136	Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Assessment	2

Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Early Childhood Education, MA