Develop as a highly reflective and responsive early childhood educator or social service professional who has a deep understanding of the role of development, diversity, and culture in the lives of young children and their families.
The Master's in Early Childhood: Inclusive Education is a fully online, interdisciplinary program focused on education for young children, birth through age 8, and their families and teachers. Engage in early childhood courses reflecting an inquiry-based, social constructivist approach to teaching and learning, framed by the pursuit of equity.
Graduates understand how to implement an inclusive approach with children and adults, guided by a commitment to anti-bias education. This non-licensure program allows you to complete at your own pace, typically in two years, with a focus on one of the following specializations: Infant Toddler Mental Health, Constructivism (Inquiry-Focused Education), Early Childhood Special Education, or a Distributed Pathway.
Program Values
All of our classes are aligned with NAEYC Early Childhood Higher Education Standards and include the following core values as threads throughout the curriculum, including our pedagogy, content, and our ways of working together.
Respect ~ Honoring our diversity, welcoming multiple perspectives, affirming equity
Participation ~ Engaging all members of the community
Constructing knowledge ~ Inquiring, experimenting, theory building
Listening ~ Paying close attention
Reflection ~ Thinking deeply, inviting transformation
Representation ~ Making learning visible in many possible languages
Collaboration ~ Having wonderful ideas together
Change ~ Leading and engaging together with children, families and communities.
Online Learning: Develop skills in virtual communication. Collaborate with colleagues from around the nation and globe.
Action Research: Inquire into a question or problem in your professional work that you feel passionate about through the culminating action research sequence.
Innovative Practice: The program draws on the practice of educators at the Helen Gordon Child Development Center. Our curriculum includes anti-bias and inquiry-based education. Internships and practicum experiences can be arranged.
Study Abroad: Explore early childhood and infant-toddler centers around the world.
Summer Intensives: Learn about constructivist curriculum such as making learning visible and using multiple modalities to support thinking through our optional summer intensive opportunities.
Interdisciplinary Faculty: Core classes are often co-taught. Faculty include early childhood faculty in the Curriculum & Instruction and Special Education departments.
University Support: PSU’s individual support resources and real-world applications incorporate the needs of the whole person. Our students are encouraged to nurture strong convictions and fearless confidence.
Our graduates advance as leaders in their field and have pursued careers in mental health, curriculum development, teacher mentorship, and a range of social and community organizations serving families.
Our graduates work as:
- Early Childhood Educators (preschools, childcare, Head Start, infant/toddler programs)
- Home visitors and supervisors
- K-2 teachers (this program does not offer state teacher licensure)
- Pedagogical leads and program directors
- Community and government specialists and coordinators
- Faculty and professional development coordinators