Early Childhood Education Prospective Students On-Campus and Online M.A.E. Early Childhood Policy Track (Online Courses)
Early Childhood Policy Track (Online Courses)
This program track focuses on the policy context of early childhood from birth through kindergarten through interdisciplinary coursework in early childhood policy and educational leadership (see course sequence below). Upon graduation, an applicant who chooses this program may plan to pursue a future doctorate degree or seek new early childhood policy-focused career opportunities with school districts across the United States, U.S./state-level Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, etc., legislative or congressional offices, judicial offices, social service agencies with advocacy departments, state or federal education policy organizations, non-governmental agencies for education, health, mental health, housing, and/or legal services, international agencies (e.g., World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization), family advocacy programs, early childhood organizations (e.g., NAEYC, Zero to Three), philanthropic foundations, or research institutions or think tanks focused on policy research (e.g., AIR, Child Trends).
Early Childhood Care and Education Policy MAE Program of Study Example
Fall Year 1: 6 credit hours
Need 6 credit hours if full-time, need at least 3 credit hours if part-time.
- EEC 6615 – Early Childhood Background and Concepts (Fall C) (online or in-person/hybrid) (3 credit hours) *required your first semester
- EEC 6665 – History, Child Development, & Equity in Early Childhood Policy (Fall C) (online) (3 credit hours)
Spring Year 1: 6 credit hours
Need 6 credit hours if full-time, need at least 3 credit hours if part-time.
- EEC 6636 – Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues in Early Childhood Policy (Spring C) (online) (3 credit hours)
- EDG 6285 – Evaluation in School Programs (Spring C) (online) (3 credit hours)
Summer Year 1: 6 credit hours
Need 6 credit hours if full-time, need at least 3 credit hours if part-time.
- EEC 6667 – Theory & Analysis in Early Childhood Policy (Summer A) (online) (3 credit hours)
- EEC 6905 – Internship (Summer C) (online or in-person/hybrid) (3 credit hours) – can be moved to another semester if needed
Fall Year 2: 6 credit hours
Need 6 credit hours if full-time, need at least 3 credit hours if part-time.
- EDA 6069 – Educational Policy Analysis (Fall C) (online) (3 credit hours)
- EEC 6971 – Thesis or EEC 6950 – Project in Lieu of Thesis (PILOT) (Fall C) (online or in-person/hybrid) (3 credit hours) *3 credits must be taken in fall of your last year
Spring Year 2: 6 credit hours
Need 6 credit hours if full-time, need at least 3 credit hours if part-time.
- EEC 7056 – Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy (Spring C) (online) (3 credit hours)
- EEC 6971 – Thesis or EEC 6950 – Project in Lieu of Thesis (PILOT) (Spring C) (online or in-person/hybrid) (3 credit hours) *3 credits must be taken in spring of your last year