Early Childhood Education Leadership Master of Education Program Director: Heather Shanks-McElroy, Ph.D. The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Leadership is a 30-credit program, which prepares individuals to undertake leadership roles in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic 21st century schools to ensure optimal developmental outcomes for the nation’s youngest constituents. Evidence-based approaches for organizing, leading, and advocating for quality early childhood curriculum and environments designed to promote children’s success will be targeted. Professional educators will be prepared to shape early childhood programs, implement quality practices, engage diverse families, and strategize to address critical issues in the early childhood field. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education Leadership prepares individuals to take a leadership role in program development, pedagogical innovations, and best practices implementation, which holistically address positive child developmental outcomes in all domains. Program Goals As a result of engaging in the graduate program, individuals will: • Utilize evidence-based approaches for organizing, leading, and advocating for quality early childhood curriculum and environments designed to promote children’s success; • Shape early childhood programs, implement quality practices, and engage diverse families to address critical issues in the early childhood field; • Assume leadership roles in program development across educational venues; • Implement pedagogical innovations and best practices, which holistically address positive child developmental outcomes in all domains; • Enhance practice, refine skills, and deepened content knowledge in the areas of programming, supervising, assessing, regulating, and collaborating. Program Format The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education Leadership will employ a cohort model and a hybrid instructional strategy. The cohort will comprise a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 30 students. A requirement of six (6) credits per semester must be maintained, including summers. The anticipated program length is two (2) years. Program Prerequisites Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (any major) from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher. Tuition $650 per credit. Schedule The cohort program will operate on a six-credit per semester schedule. Classes will meet twice per course for a full day (Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.). The rest of the class time will be online.
26 Keystone College
