Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Return to: Academic Programs Offered at Pacific Oaks College

Locations

Pasadena, Online, San Jose, and off site locations

*The availability of off-site 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, child care 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.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Application Requirements:

• Completed Application for Admission
• Application Fee
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts from All Institutions Attended

Admission Standards

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in Early Childhood Education or Child Development*

*Students who do not have a B.A. in either Early Childhood Education or Child Development are admitted based on completion of approved courses from a regionally accredited college/university.

Please note: Prior coursework will be evaluated as part of the Admissions process.

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.

Number of Admit Terms per Year:

Ground (3)

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

*Dependent upon enorllment, 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 units of Pacific Oaks course work must be taken to fulfill the requirements for the M.A. in Early Childhood Education.

All ground courses are considered Blended as each has an online component (Canvas and Taskstream).