Required Courses for MA in Early Childhood Studies
The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies curriculum is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Higher Education Accreditation Standards and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs).
Courses in the master’s degree emphasize the importance of play, culturally sustaining teaching and learning practices, inclusive and accessible environments, teacher-child-family interactions, and young multilingual learners. These courses prepare highly competent professionals to work and create high quality early childhood environments
Core Foundational Requirements in Early Childhood (9 units)
- ECS 640: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Intersectionality in Early Childhood Education (3 units)
- ECS 600: Research Methods in Early Childhood (3 units)
- ECS 605: Theories and Critical Perspectives in Early Childhood (3 units)
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies in Early Childhood (12 units)
- ECS 610: Seminar in the Study of Play (3 units)
- ECS 615: Literacies in the Home and Community (3 units)
- ECS 620: Nurturing and Responsive Relationships and Environments (3 units)
- ECS 625: Observing, Documenting and Writing Stories in Diverse Early Childhood Settings (3 units)
Early Childhood Advocacy and Service Learning (9 units)
- ECS 630: Advancing Inclusion and Disability Rights in Early Childhood Education (3
units)
- OR ECS 645: Critical Contemporary Topics in Early Childhood (3 units)
- ECS 635: Advocacy for Dual Language Learners (3 units)
Culminating Experience Requirement (3 units)
- ECS 650: Action Research in Early Childhood (3 units)