Online Master of Education — Early Childhood Education

Learn how you can grow your impact on a child's life during their formative years.

4/29/24 Next Application Due Date
5/13/24 Start Classes

Program Overview


Learn about our 100 percent online M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education program

$14,700* Total Tuition
As few as 12 months Duration
49 Credit Hours

The Master of Education – Early Childhood Education online program from Eastern Washington University is designed to prepare you to work with and support young children (birth through age eight) and their families. Coursework for this flexible online M.Ed. reflects current evidence-based practices and is aligned with standards put forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Study relevant topics such as the science of early childhood development, creating positive learning environments for children, leadership and policy, and understanding family systems and engagement.

If you already hold a teaching certificate, you will be eligible for an added endorsement in early childhood education (grades P-3) when you complete this program. Otherwise, enhance your credentials to serve in a leadership role in a public agency such as Head Start, or in a private preschool or child care center.


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The Eastern Washington University School of Business is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).

This online early childhood education master’s program prepares you for new career opportunities:

  • The curriculum content mirrors Washington State's vision for early learning so that "all children start life with a solid foundation for success based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through grade 3. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable and confident in school and life."
  • Current state and national early childhood workforce trends reflect an increasing awareness of the long-term benefits of early childhood education. Specifically, expansion of state public preschool programs, increased focus on home-visiting outcomes and reduced student-teacher ratios in K-3 classrooms.
  • Beyond teaching positions, there is an increasing demand among other careers in the early childhood field—such as Early Childhood Program Specialist or Coach for state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). The M.Ed. with ECE emphasis supports meeting qualifications for these career trajectories.
  • The curriculum content mirrors Washington State's vision for early learning so that "all children start life with a solid foundation for success based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through grade 3. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable and confident in school and life."
  • Current state and national early childhood workforce trends reflect an increasing awareness of the long-term benefits of early childhood education. Specifically, expansion of state public preschool programs, increased focus on home-visiting outcomes and reduced student-teacher ratios in K-3 classrooms.
  • Beyond teaching positions, there is an increasing demand among other careers in the early childhood field—such as Early Childhood Program Specialist or Coach for state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). The M.Ed. with ECE emphasis supports meeting qualifications for these career trajectories.

Also available online:

EWU offers a variety of graduate education degree programs in a convenient online format. Check out all our online M.Ed. programs.

$14,700* Total Tuition
As few as 12 months Duration
49 Credit Hours
Professional Educator Standards Board logo

The School of Education programs are approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).

Peterson testimonial

"There’s a lot of reading and writing, but it's worth it–especially at that price point. I am going to be proud to say I went to Eastern Washington University for my master's degree."

– Deanna Peterson

M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online student

Read Deanna's Story »

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 800-826-3411

Call 800-826-3411

Tuition


Discover how EWU makes your online grad degree affordable

The M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online degree program features the same affordable tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

Tuition breakdown:

$300 Per Credit Hour
$14,700* Total Tuition

*Tuition and fees subject to change. Total program cost does not include foundation courses. If foundation courses are required, the cost will be added to the total program cost.

Tuition breakdown:

$300 Per Credit Hour
$14,700* Total Tuition

Calendar


Review the upcoming deadlines and dates for all students

The M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online program is ideal for working professionals, offering six-week courses with seven start dates each year. View the full calendar for upcoming deadlines for turning in all required documentation, registering for classes and paying tuition to begin on your desired start date.

Now enrolling:

4/29/24 Next Application Deadline
5/13/24 Start Classes
TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition Deadline
Winter II2/12/241/29/242/7/242/10/24
Spring I4/1/243/18/243/27/243/30/24
Spring II5/13/244/29/245/8/245/11/24
Summer I7/8/246/21/247/2/247/6/24
Fall I9/23/249/9/249/18/249/21/24
Fall II11/4/2410/21/2410/30/2411/2/24

Now enrolling:

4/29/24 Next Application Deadline
5/13/24 Start Classes

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions


Find out what’s needed to earn your EWU online M.Ed. in ECE

The admission process is the first step toward earning your M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online. A teaching certificate is not required for admission to this program. However, this program will not lead to a teaching certificate in Washington.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcript from degree-granting university

M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education Online Requirements

  • No teaching certificate required
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded postsecondary credit hours**
  • Official transcript from the college/university where degree was earned

Have a question? Call us at 800-826-3411.

**We encourage you to apply if your GPA is lower than a 3.0 and you have at least 3 years of professional work experience. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an Enrollment Services representative at 800-826-3411 for more information.

This offering is available as an endorsement program for those teachers who hold or who have held an initial, residency, continuing or professional teaching certificate in the state of Washington. If you do not hold a teaching certificate in Washington or do not hold a teaching certificate at all, you are still encouraged to apply.

Please note however that this will not lead to a teaching certificate in Washington. Additionally, this program may satisfy the requirements for states other than Washington. Please check with your applicable licensing board to determine whether this program satisfies requirements for licensure in the state in which you reside. For current contact information for applicable licensing boards, please refer to our State Authorization page. For information on certification in the state of Washington, contact Christi Wavada at [email protected].

Document Submission Information

For Spring 2024 Applications: Please do not send transcripts directly to EWU, as this may delay processing your application. If you are ordering electronic transcripts, please select the CAS application as the recipient.

If you are ordering a mailed paper transcript, please have it sent to:

GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9217
Watertown, MA 02471

Note: You will need to use the Transcript ID form (found in your GradCAS application portal) as part of your submission so that your transcript can be matched to your application.

For Summer 2024 Applications and all future terms:

Order your official, electronic transcripts from the degree-granting institution where you earned your highest degree (bachelor’s or master’s) and have them sent to Eastern Washington University.

  • Most EWU graduate programs only require one transcript. Please submit a transcript from your degree-granting institution. This transcript should include the final two years of your degree completion. If it does not, please submit transcripts to cover your final two years of earned credits.
  • Please note that transcripts ordered by main may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.

If you are ordering a mailed paper transcript, please have it sent to:

Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall 206
Cheney, WA 99004

Courses


Explore the topics you’ll study in your online M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education program

In order to earn the M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online, you must complete 14 courses (49 credit hours), comprised of 16 credit hours of core courses and 33 credit hours of specialization courses (including an internship).

You must take the following courses.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Issues such as federal aid, teachers' tenure, teachers' salaries, the political control of education, indoctrination versus education, religious and public education, school-district reorganization, the community-centered school and academic freedom.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Four philosophies in education will be studied. The implications of each for school organization and classroom instruction will be examined. Participants will be invited to analyze their beliefs and how these beliefs form into a coherent philosophy of education.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Required of all graduate students pursuing the master of education degree program unless an alternative research course is scheduled. It provides the background of research methods and techniques necessary for meeting the requirements of Education 600 or 601. The methods, tools, and strategies used in educational research, both quantitative and qualitative, will be explored. Continued level teacher certification research requirements may be met through this course.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course focuses on reforming and transforming the processes, perceptions and practices of learning and teaching by emphasizing diversity, social justice and equity. First, psychological principles underlying current educational culture will be analyzed. Second, reforming relationships, interactions and contexts for learning will be addressed through reflective practices, and third, rethinking and transforming connections, will be viewed through the lens of learners of diverse backgrounds.
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course covers early childhood development (birth – 8), which includes the impact of prenatal, as well as social and societal influences. Students will learn about brain development, and how risk and protective factors can impact social-emotional, physical and cognitive growth in young children.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course will focus on classical and contemporary issues in early childhood education (birth – 8). Five larger domains (i.e., stakeholders in ECE, differentiation, standards, and curricula) will be examined through selected readings.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Course content will provide a framework for early childhood professionals to plan, deliver and assess evidence-based, integrated curriculum content in the early childhood classroom (e.g., math, science, social studies, music, creative arts).
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course prepares students to create a positive climate for young children. The quality of learning environments will be examined with regard to both the social and physical design and layout. Students will explore the function of behavior and define preventative strategies in early childhood home and classroom settings.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course is based on an understanding of family systems and the application of family-centered principles in early childhood education and home-based services. Students will gain an understanding of family and cultural contexts in which child development occurs and explore service delivery models and frameworks for supporting a collaborative partnership with families.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course will require students to think critically about the evolution of policies, programs, and practices in early care and education. Students will apply perspectives to current practice and policy through critical analysis of research, and program evaluation.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Practical, on-the-job experience for specialized school personnel planned cooperatively by a school district and the university. Students are selected for this experience by the university and the district in which the student is working. To register, students must make application to the program advisor during May of the previous year.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Early Childhood Internship I. Practical, on-the-job experience for specialized school personnel planned cooperatively by a school district and the university. Students are selected for this experience by the university and the district in which the student is working.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course provides MEd candidates the opportunity to assemble a portfolio of work from graduate education courses that includes a reflective component. Candidates will provide evidence aligned with corresponding professional competencies. The course provides candidates the opportunity to prepare for the written comprehensive examination, which serves as the capstone experience in lieu of a thesis or research report.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to assess the knowledge and skills attained during the course of graduate study in the Master of Education program. The comprehensive exam requires students to integrate the principals, concepts, and research methodologies when employing academic language and using a formal writing style.

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