Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education

This 30-unit program consists of seven required courses and three electives. The required courses provide students with advanced preparation in child growth and development, cultural and linguistic diversity, early childhood curricula, equity, and social justice, in addition to research methodologies. The program places a special emphasis on teacher research as a primary methodology of inquiry for all early childhood practitioners. Coursework also focuses on understanding child development within varied social and cultural contexts, culturally responsive teaching and curriculum development for diverse populations, and providing family and community support. The culminating experience requirement for the concentration in early childhood education is the completion of a thesis or field study.

Admission to Program

Application for admission to the program requires the following:

1. Apply to the department and the university by completing the on-line CalState Apply application. Follow all other requirements for admission to the department and university by accessing https://www2.calstate.edu/apply. On CalState Apply, please submit a written statement of purpose (2-page minimum). The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the MA, Concentration Early Childhood Education, and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation for the degree. The content and writing skill demonstrated will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and to determine if the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below). Also, on CalState Apply, submit two letters of recommendation: one letter from an instructor addressing the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate-level work, and one letter providing evidence of recent work experience with young children. For help on applying, please go to http://gcoe.sfsu.edu/current-students/how-apply.
2. Possession of an elementary teaching credential or the completion of a minimum of 12 units in professional course work relevant to early childhood education, including courses in child development and early childhood curriculum.
3. A minimum of one full year successful experience working with young children.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One

Applicants are assessed on the application essay based upon the early childhood education program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers:

1. mechanics and style,
2. coherence and argumentation,
3. and content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals to that of the program.

Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either admitted, admitted conditionally, or denied admission. Applicants admitted conditionally are required to earn a minimum grade of B in the program approved writing intensive courses, E ED 721 or E ED 707 with instructor approval.

Level Two

Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 895 or E ED 898.

Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education — 30 units

Foundation - Required (9 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
E ED 709	Instructional Leadership and Program Curriculum Evaluation in Early Childhood Education	3
Select two:		6
E ED 700	Early Childhood Socialization in a Culturally Diverse Community
E ED 707	Early Development and Learning in Diverse and Inclusive Settings
E ED 708	Language and Literacy in the Early Years

Research Courses – Required (6 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
E ED 717	Narrative Inquiry and Memoir in Early Childhood Education	3
E ED 801	Practitioner Inquiry and Early Childhood Professional Development and Administration	3

Electives (12 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Select from the following:
E ED 704	Play and the Artistic Lives of Children	3
E ED 715	Families in Early Childhood Settings and Communities	3
E ED 721	International Education in Early Childhood and Elementary Education	3
E ED 806	Organizational Development, Management, and Adult Supervision	3
E ED 820	Theory and Methods in Infant and Toddler Education	3
E ED 850	Mathematics and Science Inquiry for Children	3
E ED 878	Critical Perspectives and Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education	3
E ED 899	Independent Study	1-3
Other GCOE and University courses under advisement (two course limit)
E ED 600-level courses (two course limit)
One course in a department outside the Graduate College of Education (3 units) with consent of advisor
Coursework from recent SF State Multiple Subject Credential (up to 12 units)

Culminating Experience – Required (3 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
E ED 895	Field Study Project	3
or E ED 898	Master's Thesis

Note: 12 units from the SF State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program may be counted toward elective units within this degree. Only certain courses from the credential may be applied; consult with your advisor for details.

Upon advisement, six units earned at another institution may be counted toward the degree. Courses can be counted from a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, upper division undergraduate courses, or graduate level coursework, only if these units were not used toward another degree. In keeping with University requirements, courses can count on the Advancement to Candidacy only within a seven-year window.