Master of Science in Care and Education in Early Childhood Settings

Offered in Fall River, MA; Methuen, MA; and Cape Cod, MA

Wheelock College, founded in 1888, enjoys a national and international reputation as a leader in early childhood education and related fields serving children and families.

Wheelock’s graduate programs are designed to create leaders and advocates to improve the lives of all children and families.

Each graduate program is committed to an inclusive, developmental, and multicultural approach to child study. Wheelock College offers master's degree programs, a Certificate in Parenting Education, and several professional development courses and institutes. National and Regional programs are currently offered in locations throughout Massachusetts as well as in New Hampshire, Maine and South Carolina.

THE COHORT MODEL AND FORMAT

Our national and regional master's degree programs are designed as a cohort learning experience wherein a group completes the entire two year program together. The close bond that develops among students as they share professional, academic, and personal experiences is a special aspect of the program. Students work collaboratively and often find that strong support networks are built among cohort members, faculty, advisors, and staff lasting well beyond the two year academic program.

CARE AND EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTINGS

The nationally recognized Care and Education in Early Childhood Setting master’s program is designed for students who will work with young children from 2.8 to 8 years of age in public, private and parochial care and education settings as care givers, classroom teachers, lead teachers, directors, and/or family liaison workers. This program prepares students to work with an increasingly diverse population of children, families and communities.

SCHEDULE OF COURSES

The Early Childhood Graduate Program is two years long in which you take two courses during each fall, spring and summer semester, for a total of six courses per year. Each course is completed in three weekends (approximately every other weekend) and are held Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission decisions are based upon careful review of academic records, a written essay, three references, and relevant experience. Please refer to the this page for specific information regarding admission requirements and materials.

TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID

The current tuition for the National and Regional master program is $625 per credit. Federal Stafford loans and other supplemental education loans are available through government financial aid applications (FAFSA). For information on graduate financial aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 617-879-2206 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Program of Study

33 Credit Hours
  • ACD 501 Building a Foundation of Graduate Writing – 0 Credits
  • EDU 505 Racial and Culture Identities – 3 Credits
  • EDU 520 Introduction to Inclusive ECE – 3 Credits
  • EDU 522 Curriculum for EC Social Studies and Arts – 3 Credits
  • EDU 528/529 Impact of Special Needs: ECE – 3 Credits
  • EDU 535 Developing Numeracy for Diverse Learners – 3 Credits
  • EDU 607 Teacher Inquiry Seminar – 2 Credits
  • EDU 655 Capstone: Care and Education – 1 Credit
  • EDP 530 Field Experience/Seminar: ECE – 3 Credits
  • HDF 504 Child Development: The Early Years – 3 Credits
  • RDG 537 Developing Literacy – 3 Credits
  • RDG 625 Early Childhood Literacy – 3 Credits
  • RES 723 Practitioner as Researcher – 3 Credits

For additional information, contact us:
By phone: (617) 879-2311
By email: natreg@wheelock.edu