Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood Specialization, M.Ed.

Graduate Coordinators: Dr. Meredith Jones

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program includes a specialization in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy specifically in the area of early childhood. This specialization is an interdisciplinary program designed for people who work or wish to work as a leader in the field of family and child advocacy. Information in this degree supports the development of leadership skills to serve in positions within community, state, and national agencies, in both the public and private sector that focus on supporting the healthy development, growth, and education of families and children. This program provides a grounding in social, historical, philosophical, developmental, educational, and international perspectives of family and child advocacy. The program supports the Watson College of Education Conceptual Framework for developing highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.

Admission Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree completed before graduate study begins in early childhood or related field (documentation of experience in the field of early childhood or related field (documentation of experience in the field of early childhood is required if bachelor’s degree is in another field).
2. Official copies of transcripts of college work (graduate and undergraduate).
3. Three recommendations from individuals who can attest to the qualifications of the applicant for admission to this program.
4. A personal statement describing one’s interest in family and child advocacy and any prior leadership experience.
5. Requirements may be substituted depending on a student’s background and experience. Consultation with a faculty advisor is required to determine if a substitution is appropriate.
6. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Degree Requirements (36 total credit hours)

Core Requirements (15 credit hours)

EDN 512 - Historical and Contemporary Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3
EDN 522 - Public Policy and Advocacy for Children and Families Credit Hours: 3
EDL 554 - Leadership Theory and Behavior Credit Hours: 3
EDN 521 - Diverse Families and Children in Communities Credit Hours: 3
EDN 510 - Internship in Leadership, Policy, Advocacy Credit Hours: 3

Research Courses (6 credit hours)

EDN 551 - Advocacy Research Project I Credit Hours: 3
and
EDN 567 - Advocacy Research Project II Credit Hours: 3

Electives (up to 15 credit hours)

Courses from any program with a 500 or higher number may be taken as an elective with advisor approval.

Students participating in scholarship programs may have other requirements. Check with the program advisor for other requirements.

Students without an undergraduate course in the introduction to early childhood education may be required to take EDN 503 . A faculty advisor will review transcripts to determine if this is required. If this course is required, it will count as an elective.

EDN 569 - Budget and Finance for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 513 - Organizational Development for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 523 - Advanced Administration of Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 515 - The Art and Science of Technical Assistance in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3

Exit Requirement

During the final term in the program, students will complete an action research project that focuses on a specific area of family and child advocacy. A faculty advisor will be assigned to determine final approval for the project.