Early Childhood Education M.Ed.

Master of Education General Information 

(32 Semester Hours plus Capstone Experience)

Purpose

This program is designed to develop highly competent teachers and others who are dedicated to providing educational leadership in the field of early childhood. Effective instruction, curriculum development and assessment within an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Early Childhood, Reading and Special Education are emphasized. Courses are established to encourage candidates to use current theory and research to make decisions about effective practice.

Admission

The applicant for the Early Childhood Education program must meet the following admission criteria:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Scores no more than five years old on the general examination of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT);
3. An approved Application for Graduate Admission;
4. Two official transcripts of all previous college course work. The transcripts must be sent directly from the schools attended to the Graduate College Office;
5. A grade average of 3.0 in the undergraduate major (may be conditionally admitted on a grade average of 2.75 in the undergraduate major. Conditional admission requires a student to maintain a 3.0 grade average in the first 12 hours of graduate course work with no grade below a “C”.);
6. A score at or above the 30th percentile of college graduates nationally on the Miller Analogies Test or the equivalent on the verbal and quantitative ability portion of the Graduate Record Examination. Students who are admitted with less than the minimum score requirement on the GRE or MAT must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA for the first 12 hours of graduate course work stipulated on the student’s degree plan. If the 3.5 is not met, additional courses approved by the advisor will be required;
7. Courses in the Master of Education in Early Childhood do not include all courses needed for an Early Childhood Teaching Certificate for the State of Oklahoma.  Candidates seeking certification will be individually advised on courses needed based on previous college credits.

An applicant who has not met admission requirements may be admitted for one semester only on a tentative (temporary) basis. An applicant may continue in the program, beyond the first enrollment, only if admission requirements are met. Otherwise, any course work completed may not apply in the program.

Advisement

An advisor in the Early Childhood Education program is assigned to the candidate by the Graduate College when the candidate is admitted to graduate studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make an appointment with the advisor prior to enrollment to discuss policies and procedures relevant to the degree program. The advisor develops the plan of study in conference with the candidate, assists in the selection of classes each semester, and counsels the student.

Admission to Candidacy

Candidates are eligible to be admitted to candidacy if they:

1. Meet all requirements for admission to the Early Childhood program;
2. Complete the course EDUC 5103, Educational Research;
3. File an approved plan of study (Degree Plan) with the Graduate College and a signed Statement of Understanding;
4. Complete a minimum of twelve semester hours as prescribed by the plan of study and
5. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate course work.

Candidates are advised to meet candidacy requirements within the first 16 semester hours of the program. They must meet these requirements within the first 24 hours. In any event, 16 semester hours toward the master’s degree must be completed after being admitted to candidacy.