The concentration in early childhood studies provides on-campus doctoral students within the Special Education and School Psychology programs expertise in young children’s early development and learning with a focus on children (birth – five years old) who are vulnerable due to biological, environmental, or established risk conditions and their families. The concentration is designed to offer interdisciplinary graduate education by combining coursework and applied research opportunities focused on areas within the field of early childhood studies including health, mental health, early education and care, early intervention, policy and law, and family and community-based social supports. The concentration provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to interact with faculty across disciplines who have diverse academic backgrounds and areas of research and expertise.
Admission Requirements
The early childhood studies concentration is available to on-campus doctoral students enrolled in the Special Education or School Psychology programs.
In conjunction with a graduate degree, a student can earn a concentration in Early Childhood Studies by completing the following course requirements (15 total credit hours):
Early Childhood Studies Concentration Coursework
EEC 6326 Social & Pre-academic Instructional Methods for Young Children
EEC 6419 Families, Disabilities, & Diversity
EEC 7056 Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy
EEC 7666 Theory and Research in Early Childhood Studies
EEC 7617 Early Childhood Assessment & Evaluation
Interested in Early Childhood Studies but not a Special Education or School Psychology student?
Check out our Graduate Minor in Early Childhood Studies, open to all on-campus doctoral students at the University of Florida!
