Early Childhood Education (MA)

ECE-6320: Child Development and Ethics in Early Childhood Education (3 hours)

This course examines child development and ethics of current theory and practice in early childhood education. Critical examination of a variety of current models is included. Issues of mainstreaming, inclusion, and cultural pluralism as they relate to the education of children from birth through grade three are also incorporated. Field work included.

ECE-6100: Early Childhood Curriculum and Content, Ages 3-5 (3 hours)

Programs, standards, materials, resources for early childhood curriculum. Understanding of issues, trends, and current practices related to foundations of developmentally appropriate practices in various models and programs. Experiences in curriculum design, development, implementation, adult-child relationships and evaluation. Field Experience: Required.

ECE-6105: Observation and Assessment (3 hours)

Methods of observation, documentation and other assessment strategies are studied as a way to assess children’s growth and the development of knowledge and skills. Current classroom practices and learning environments are explored to identify changes that benefit children, their families, and communication between program and home. Field Experience: 10 hours.

ECE-6110: School Age Curriculum, Ages 6-8 (3 hours)

This course develops the candidate’s ability to design, implement and evaluate experiences for the school age child. Focus on essential concepts, inquiry tools, content areas, and overall academic discipline including working with differentiated learners. Field Experience: Required with school age children.

ECE-6115: Infant and Toddler Curriculum (3 hours)

Programs for infants and toddlers in centers, homes and agencies. Issues related to program provision for all children in a pluralistic society. An overview of early intervention services and issues. Field Experience: Required.

ECE-6120: Developmentally Effective Instruction for Diverse Learners (3 hours)

This course uses a wide variety of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools that connect children of diverse backgrounds and experiences to learning. Field Experience: Required observations and interactions with diverse learners.

ECE-6160: Child, Family and Multicultural Community (3 hours)

Processes, research, skills, and in-depth knowledge about families and multicultural communities needed to develop reciprocal relationships with families in centers, home child care, schools, districts, and communities. Demonstration of cultural competence in multicultural settings and effective communication and collaboration involving families and communities in children’s development and learning are included. Field Experience: 10 hours.

ECE-6170: Professional Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education (3 hours)

Candidates will demonstrate leadership skills in alignment with NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and other professional guidelines relevant to their collaborative professional role. Candidates will be engaged in advocacy for children and the profession. Oral, written and technological articulation will be demonstrated throughout the course.

ECE-6180: Trends and Methods in ECE in Literacy (3 hours)

Trends and methods in early literacy will be examined that include factors involved in the beginning literacy processes. The focus is on current theory and research relating to issues in literacy birth to grade 2. Candidates are introduced to administering and interpreting literacy assessments and planning effective intervention lesson(s) for early readers. Field Experience: 10 hours.

ECE-6190: Practicum and Research in Early Childhood Education (3 hours)

Exposure to the total range of services for young children and their families including administration and supervision of programs. Research and implications for instruction will be studied. Supervised Field Experience: Required. Prerequisite: B or higher in ECE-6320, ECE-6105, ECE-6115, ECE-6100, ECE-6110, ECE-6120, ECE-6160 and ECE-6170.

Seminar in Higher Education (EDU 6015)

In addition to the base program curriculum, international students attending face-to-face classes on the CUC campus are required to take the Seminar in Higher Education, a 3-credit course.

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to the U.S.-based higher education learning environment. Students will work to understand Concordia University Chicago’s academic conventions, technological systems and communication culture while developing English grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The Seminar in Higher Education is an excellent opportunity for students to further develop critical skills to help them to be successful in their academic program. This 3-credit course is mandatory for international students attending face-to-face classes on the CUC campus. 

Course Objectives

• Developing knowledge about local and academic culture
• Building grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
• Conducting graduate-level research with the use of electronic and library resources
• Developing note-taking strategies for coursework
• Reflecting on the U.S.-based education system

Academic support for work in students’ current coursework will also be provided during or after class. Guest speakers include representatives from the campus library, writing center and technology services.

Student feedback for the Seminar in Higher Education

• After taking the Seminar, I have the ability to perform more professionally in my assignments.

• The instructor was very dynamic and a good listener. He gave feedback and made sure all the students understood.

• The hands-on activities after the lessons helped my learning experience.

• The professor truly cares for the students. He helps students individually and encourages us to support our peers.