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

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Sara Movahedazarhouligh

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.

Program Overview

The mission of the Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood (LPAEC) Program at UNCW’s Watson College of Education is to cultivate visionary leaders and advocates in the field of early childhood education. We aim to empower professionals with knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations necessary to excel in leadership roles within organizations dedicated to enhancing programs and services for children from birth through age eight and their families. We strive to create a network of skilled professionals who will shape the future of early childhood education, advocating for policies and practices that ensure the well-being and success of young children and their families. The mission of the Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood (LPAEC) Program at UNCW’s Watson College of Education is to cultivate visionary leaders and advocates in the field of early childhood education. We aim to empower professionals with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations necessary to excel in leadership roles within organizations dedicated to enhancing programs and services for children from birth through age eight and their families. We strive to create a network of skilled professionals who will shape the future of early childhood education, advocating for policies and practices that ensure the well-being and success of young children and their families.

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. Transcripts of college work (graduate and undergraduate).
3. Three professional recommendations from individuals who can attest to the professional qualifications of the applicant for admission to this program.
4. An education statement of interest.
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
EDN 521 - Diverse Families and Children in Communities Credit Hours: 3
EDN 510 - Internship in Leadership, Policy, Advocacy Credit Hours: 3
EDN 533 - Leadership Theories and Frameworks in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3

Electives (up to 15 credit hours)

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

Courses from any of the following designations, with guidance from an advisor, may be used as electives: EDN, EDL, MPA (Public Administration), HEA (Health and Human Services), SWK (Social Work), and other courses approved by the advisor.

EDN 501 - Budget and Finance for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 502 - Advanced Culturally Relevant Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood and Elementary Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 503 - Teaching Early Childhood Education in Community College Settings Credit Hours: 3
EDN 513 - Organizational Development for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
EDN 515 - The Art and Science of Technical Assistance in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
EDN 570 - Early Intervention and Childhood Development Credit Hours: 3 to 6
EDN 569 - Reflective Approaches in Early Childhood Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDN 523 - Global Perspectives in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3

Exit Requirement

Students need to successfully complete the final research courses, including EDN 551 and EDN 567 and present their research portfolio in an oral defense before a committee. These two courses are among the program’s core requirements. In EDN 551, students will develop a research portfolio proposal, illustrating how they strengthened their skills in core program areas, including leadership, policy, and advocacy and how they will translate their acquired knowledge, skills, and expertise to impact practices in the field of early childhood through three unique action research projects. Each action research project will address one core area of the LPEAC program, including leadership, policy and advocacy. Upon approval, the proposed research portfolio in EDN 551 will be implemented during EDN 567: Culminating LPAEC Project II and presented in an oral defense.

EDN 551 - Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy for Early Childhood Culminating Project I Credit Hours: 3
EDN 567 - Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy for Early Childhood Culminating Project II Credit Hours: 3