Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree - Wayne State College Nebraska

Early Childhood Education MSE program overview

Enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills for early childhood education. In the Curriculum and Instruction MSE program, you will explore instructional theory and new approaches to curriculum design that meet the needs of today’s elementary and secondary schools. The Early Childhood Education program will cover in depth topics such as the growth and development of young children, the formulation of curriculum for young ages, and managing programs and coordinating relations between stakeholders (families, schools, and communities).

Licensure: This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. This program does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education. It has not been determined if this program meets requirements for all other states. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, please check that state's licensing board to determine their licensing requirements. Authorization may be required from them prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Learn more about state authorization, licensure, and reciprocity.

Student learning outcomes for the MSE Curriculum and Instruction program:

Analyze literature to improve educational practices.
Develop learning environments that promote student achievement.
Cultivate professional relationships with all stakeholders.
Utilize evidence-based inclusive practices to develop meaningful learning experiences for students.

Download program handbook (PDF) View program courses

Early Childhood Education MSE program of study

Students must complete the MSE Curriculum and Instruction core and early childhood focus area courses to total at least 36 credit hours for the program. Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred in from another regionally accredited graduate institution and applied toward a degree. Credit that has been applied toward an earned degree will not be accepted except for courses that are part of the core requirements. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a total of 36 credit hours are needed to graduate with this degree.

Curriculum and instruction core courses (12 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: Beginning graduate students will develop a practical knowledge and application of basic types of research, as well as basic research tools and skills that will be helpful to them throughout their program. Graduate students will create a research plan and write a review of literature (paper). Students will create appropriate survey and interview questions, develop a beginning understanding of educational statistics, and the process for developing a research proposal including Institutional Review Board requirements and application processes.
Credits: 3
Description: This class is designed to acquaint students with the latest research related to instructional theory, and further, to create opportunities for teachers to try new instructional approaches. The course surveys systems that teachers may use to assess the pros and cons of various instructional approaches.
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to examine the principles underlying the development of a PK-12 public school and post-secondary program curriculum. Emphasis on methods of determining priorities, objectives, scope and sequence and organizational patterns. The roles of state and local involvement will also be examined.
Credits: 3
Description: Philosophies and theories underlying the American educational system. An analysis of the differing philosophies of education and their implications for education in a democratic society.

Early childhood focus area courses (24 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: Planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate and integrated curricula for young children in the areas of language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and health and safety; planning for and implementing developmentally appropriate methods for the learning of young children.
Credits: 3
Description: Study of formal and informal assessment procedures for youth from birth to grade 3.
Credits: 3
Description: A one-semester experience and study concerning programs in early childhood education in selected early childhood settings. Requires field experience in an early childhood education setting selected by the student and instructor.
Prerequisite: All previous coursework in the Early Childhood program.
Credits: 3
Description: Study of the processes of human growth and development from birth through age 8 as determined by heredity, society, and human interaction. The course will examine physical, social, emotional, cognitive (intellectual), language (communication), and creative development.
Credits: 3
Description: A study of principles for successful development and management of early childhood education programs and centers. Coordinating relations between families, schools and communities will also be addressed.
Credits: 3
Description: Study of children birth through age 5 by observation and interaction in an organized environment such as a child development center or preschool program. Interaction and observation are required in an early childhood setting. A child study, case study, anecdotal record or other research project resulting from the interaction/observation will also be required.
Prerequisite: FCS 604 Infants/Toddlers Through Primary Children Birth-8
Credits: 3
Description: Develop prosocial classroom culture, climate and community using evidence-based behavior management strategies. Collaboratively problem-solving within multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), functional behavior assessment (FBA), and behavior intervention plan (BIP) processes. Using positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) to develop culturally responsive learning environments which address the influence of family values, social and environmental factors.
Credits: 3
Description: Effective techniques of working with parents, educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, agencies and other professional personnel. A strong emphasis will be placed on the various models of co-teaching, forming co-teaching partnerships, and planning within a co-taught environment.