Early Childhood Education, PhD

Program Overview

Focused on developing collaborative and mentorship skills, the program offers specializations in various areas. Through a comprehensive curriculum of research and practical experiences, students acquire the expertise to teach and conduct research at a doctoral level. This program emphasizes student success and encourages engagement with faculty and scholars.

Program Outline

The program focuses on developing collaborative skills, mentoring techniques, and instructional strategies to prepare students to effectively educate young children.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with:

• In-depth knowledge of early childhood education through research and practical experiences.
• Expertise in a chosen specialization: Piagetian theory, early childhood literacy, early childhood and diverse populations (including emergent bilingual learners), or early intervention/young children at risk.
• Skills necessary to teach and conduct research at a doctoral level.

Program Description:

The program involves a comprehensive curriculum that includes:

• Core courses: Issues in Development Theory, Children and Society, and Advanced Early Childhood Curriculum.
• Elective courses: Meaning and Development of Play, Research in Infancy, or Parent Child and School Interface, depending on student interests.
• Research methodology courses.
• Relevant internship experiences.
• Participation in emerging scholar communities with faculty.

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a combination of on-campus, in-person meetings.
• Faculty members guide students through research and practical experiences.
• Emerging scholar communities provide opportunities for students to develop their teaching and research skills.

Other:

• The program emphasizes the importance of student success.
• Students are encouraged to choose a specialization that aligns with their interests.
• The program provides opportunities for students to engage with faculty and other scholars.