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Master of Education in
Early Childhood Education

The Master of Early Childhood Education program focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to engage young children in learning experiences that will influence future educational opportunities. You will learn to create viable, age-specific, and dynamic learning environments.

Total cost at ACE

$8,675

(tuition + fees)

Compare with other institutions*:

$20,424

Capella University

$18,900

University of Phoenix

$17,325

Walden University

*Based on information provided on each institution's website as of August 2018

Applications due April 3 for April 6, 2020 Term

Estimated Time to Completion:
15 Months

View Tuition Details

Key Features of Our Online Master of Education Degree

  • Focused Coursework: All courses within the program center around curriculum development, assessment, and other topics and trends in early childhood education. You will only take courses with individuals who share your passion for early childhood education.
  • Flexible: Study on your schedule. Our online format allows you to plan your coursework around your life.
  • Intentional Design: This program was designed on a research-driven framework to help you create effective early childhood learning environments.
  • Comprehensive Engagement: This program goes beyond the classroom to help you learn to build relationships between the school and family.

For more information about this program, view the College Catalog. You can also ask questions anytime via chat.

See Student Experience
See Student Experience

View Academic Calendar
View Academic Calendar

Understand Admission Requirements
Understand Admission Requirements

Explore Payment Options
Explore Payment Options

Department Chair

Tiffany Hamlett, Ph.D.
Administrative Faculty and Chair,
Department of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Tiffany Hamlett has worked in higher education for eight years in various educational fields. Her background includes early childhood education, curriculum development, and research methods. In addition, she serves as a reviewer for Social Development and the Southern Early Childhood Association. She is particularly interested in studying developmentally appropriate practice, lifespan development, and constructivist teaching practices.

A Degree You Can Count On

We are, and have always been, regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation guarantees our programs meet certain levels of quality standards.   

A Note About Licensure:

While this program provides a comprehensive understanding of the intended program outcomes, it does not lead to licensure, certification, or endorsement. ACE offers several programs that do provide a pathway to licensure, certification, or endorsement and they can be found here.

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Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

Tuition

M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

Total Tuition

31 semester credits x $235 per credit

$7,285

Fees

$50 Application Fee

$1,240 Technology & Library Fee ($40 per credit)

$100 Program Conferral Fee

$1,390

Total Program Cost*

$8,675

*This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program credit hours, receipt of scholarship and/or grant amounts, and adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section.

State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

It is a state of California requirement that a student who pays his or her tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. For more information and to see if you must pay the state-imposed assessment for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) click here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

ACE General Admission Requirements

  • Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, including the enrollment agreement, and payment agreement.
  • Submit the nonrefundable application fee.*
  • Provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.**

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

  • Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned
  • Minimum Grade Point Average 2.75 on a 4.0 Scale for full admission
  • Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.50 on a 4.0 Scale for Provisional Admission*
  • Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview

*Applicants whose overall GPA, or GPA in the last 60 hours is below 2.50 will not be admitted to the degree program

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit to the Admissions Office official, sealed college transcripts from each institution attended.

  • Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through an NACES-recommended agency.
  • Texas applicants may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
  • International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.

  2. Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
    • The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening, and, Writing.

    • The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.

    • The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
  3. Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit scores from the Internet-Based (IBT) TOEFL. An overall score of 80, and a score of 26 on the speaking section is required.

Admissions Appeal Process

Applicants have the right to appeal admissions decisions. Begin the process by filling out the admissions appeal here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

Courses

Explore the classes you'll take to fulfill this program's 31 semester credit requirement. For more information, a complete list of requirements, and course options, see the College Catalog.

Early Childhoood Education Courses

(16 semester credits)

Focused on development, this course will explore classic theories of child development while investigating emerging theories in the field. This course establishes an understanding of current practices and concerns relating how they influence a child's environment and future learning experiences.
This course will address the traditional stages of development from infancy through early childhood. Concepts will address developmental milestones, domains of thought, and related theories of growth.
This content will focus on curriculum design using learning expectations across different standards and the developmental needs of children. Curriculum design methods, developmentally appropriate practices, and application methods will be explored by relating distinctive age-appropriate ideas.
Addressing content-specific curriculum development, strategies will be introduced to promote development across specific areas of learning. Selected activities will be investigated to promote literacy, social and emotional growth, logical reasoning, and physical development.
This course explores current trends in early childhood education by examining public policy, research, professional development relevant to classroom practices, and program management. Creating a connection between theory and current information will help to maintain relevance for the profession.
The Capstone Experience is designed for candidates to demonstrate and document the impact of their knowledge and competencies gained throughout, and as a result of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.

Research Courses

(3 semester credits)

This methods course takes an action research approach, providing a systematic framework for early childhood professionals to apply data-based decision making for the improvement of their practice. The course differentiates quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods action research with a focus on application of results in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on development of a literature review featuring evidence-based strategies as a part of a research proposal.

Teaching/Learning Core Courses

(12 semester credits)

Exploring developmental and learning needs of children with exceptional learning abilities, the content will address the diverse needs of the gifted, students with exceptional needs, and children with learning disabilities. Strategies will be established to support a variety of learning needs while working with families to foster a consistent learning environment.
Content in this course will include observation strategies and assessment tools used to design curriculum and identify developmental needs of children in the classroom. Methods utilizing assessment and providing guidance for classroom curriculum designed to support the identification of individual learning needs will be considered. Strategies will be aligned to the ongoing development of student portfolios as a form of observation.
This course will address how to establish and support partnerships with families and the community around the school. Content will address how to meet the needs of families, establish connections in the community, and serve as an advocate for early childhood.
Research-based guidance strategies for classroom management are considered. The identification, selection, and support for a variety of methods will be acquired to guide the development of an individualized plan dependent upon the assessed needs of a child.
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