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Pacific Oaks College    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring addendum 
    
 
  Dec 02, 2024
 
2022-2023 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring addendum [Archived Catalog]

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education


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Generalist-30 Credit(s)

With Trauma Specialization- 33 Credit(s)

With OLM Specialization-33 Credit(s)

Locations

Pasadena, Online, and off-campus locations

*The availability of off-campus locations depends on enrollment

Program Overview

Pacific Oaks’ M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education prepares graduates to integrate Pacific Oaks’ transformative approach to early childhood education into leadership roles in public schools, childcare programs, state agencies, and a variety of nonprofits serving children and families. This M.A. degree does not qualify a student for a CA K-12 teaching or service Credential.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Evaluate national trends, theory and research-based educational and administrative practices in early childhood education leadership.
  2. Conduct observations for typically and atypically developing children in an early childhood setting. Utilize and evaluate various assessment tools and inquiry strategies to assess potential cultural bias and stereotypes.
  3. Generate, implement, and evaluate educational curricula for the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of students in an early childhood environment.
  4. Identify concerns evident in the classroom and formulate solutions to address these concerns. Advocate for children and families in the resolution of them.
  5. Design and implement outcome- based learning experiences using action research for the teaching and learning of students in an early childhood classroom.
  6. Demonstrate critical thinking and creative processes through an ethical and professional decision-making working with children, families, communities and educational leadership in the early childhood field. Evaluate the impact of these decisions.

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to submit the Petition for Degree Completion and fee to the Office of the Registrar the semester before they anticipate completing their degree requirements. Students must submit the application, settle all outstanding fees with the Student Finance Office, satisfy any deficiencies, and be in good standing in their program for the degree to be awarded.

Please Note: A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation.

PORTFOLIO NOTICE ECE 660: 

To successfully complete your portfolio and program degree requirements and earn your degree you must earn no less than a letter grade ‘B’ and have all the Portfolio elements submitted into Portfolium for BA ECE 660 to be considered for successful degree completion.  Any student earning less than the required letter grade must repeat the course.

Number of Admit Terms per Year:

Ground (3)

  • Fall Session I*
  • Spring Session I*
  • Summer Session I*

*Dependent upon enrollment, options available each term

Online (6)

  • Fall Session I and II
  • Spring Session I and II
  • Summer Session I and II

Program Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution; OR bachelor’s degree or higher (any major) and preferred prerequisite coursework in: (1) social, emotional, and moral development in early childhood Education, and (2) methods and research related to the observation of young children.

All 30 credits of Pacific Oaks course work must be taken to fulfill the requirements for the M.A. in Early Childhood Education with the concentration in ECE Generalist Studies.  Students who select the Trauma Studies Specialization or the OLM concentration will complete 33 credits of coursework

All ground courses are considered Blended as each has an online component (Canvas and a designated platform Portfolium).

MA ECE with Generalist = 30 credits (18 credits of MA ECE core curriculum and 12 credits of Generalist courses)

MA ECE with Trauma Studies Concentration = 33 credits (18 credits of MA ECE core curriculum and 15 credits of Trauma courses)

MA ECE with Organizational Leadership and Management Concentration (OLM) = 33 credits (18 credits of MA ECE core curriculum and 15 credits of OLM courses.

MA ECE Core Curriculum - 18 credits


Students still requiring further coursework to complete bachelor’s degree requirements will work with their faculty advisor to add further electives to their coursework to complete requirements. All 18 credits required.

Trauma Studies Specialization (15 credits required)


Today’s young children can face an enormous amount of trauma in their lives so it is more important than ever that early childcare education providers understand how to detect the signs and symptoms of trauma stemming from life events like divorce, death, domestic violence, child abuse, deployment, and immigration. The Early Childhood Education Trauma Specialization equips students with the knowledge, tools, and techniques to help guide and support children facing tremendous strain at a highly impressionable time in their lives.

For over 75 years Pacific Oaks has played a crucial role in the development of early childhood education in the United States. The Early Childhood Education Trauma Studies Specialization will provide students with an advantage and focused area of study that allows them to acknowledge the life experiences of, attend to children’s needs, and assist in finding the right help for children and families in crisis.

Students select 15 credits from the courses below to fulfill the Trauma Studies Specialization.

Global Leadership & Management Organizational Leadership and Management Specialization - 15 credits


Pacific Oaks’ M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education with Organizational Leadership and Management Specialization prepares graduates to integrate Pacific Oaks’ transformative approach to early childhood education into leadership roles in public schools, childcare programs, state agencies, and a variety of nonprofits serving children and families.

The specialization in Organizational Leadership and Management is based upon the theory that leadership requires knowledge, skill, and deep self‐knowledge to be authentic, and that authentic leadership is essential to creating organizations with sustainable value. Graduates from our M.A. in Early Childhood Education with Organizational Leadership and Management Concentration will understand that establishing responsible and ethical relationships, valuing and respecting each individual, and leading with passion and purpose are all necessary to ensure that organizations achieve goals that are aligned with the public good.

Through the development of management and leadership competencies grounded upon respect for human capacity, graduates will be prepared to become leaders of change, able to navigate the complexity and unpredictability of various organizations and to transcend cultural, political, and national barriers.

This M.A. degree does not qualify a student for a CA K‐12 teaching or service Credential

Students pursuing the on‐ground course of study may also have the opportunity to enroll in online courses.

All School of Human Development and Education program courses include an online component.

The M.A. program provides the coursework required for the Director permit in the state of California.

Students select 15 credits from the courses below to fulfill the OLM concentration requirements.

Master of Arts in Education Degree Programs


  • Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Education

(This MA degree option integrates the preparation for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

  • Master of Arts in Education - Special Education

(This MA degree option integrates the preparation for the Preliminary Education Specialist Instructional Credential - Mild/Moderate)

The Master of Arts degree with credential programs (Elementary Education or Special Education) focus on strategies of inclusion, issues of equity, social justice, and cultural competence. This program is based on the principles of development theory and the standards of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

  1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
  2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach these subjects.
  3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
  4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
  5. Teachers are members of learning communities.

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