Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education

MA ECE Core Curriculum - 18 units

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 units required.

• ECE 500 - Advanced Seminar in Early Childhood Education 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 510 - Understanding Assessment and Research in Early Childhood Education 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 530 - Public Policy and its Impact on Children and Families 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 540 - Creating Responsive Communities for All Families 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 650 - Management of Childcare Programs 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 660 - Action Research Project 3 Unit(s)

Trauma Studies Concentration (15 units 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 Concentration 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 nearly 70 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 Concentration 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 units from the courses below to fulfill the Trauma Studies Concentration.

• ECE 651 - Family Violence and Child Abuse 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 652 - Separation, Deployment Trauma and Early Development 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 653 - Death, Divorce, and Difficult Times 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 654 - Trauma, Culture, and Immigration 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 655 - Parent Incarceration and Its Impact 3 Unit(s)
• ECE 656 - Trauma and Early Development 3 Unit(s)

Organizational Leadership and Change Concentration - 15 units

Pacific Oaks’ M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education with Organizational Leadership and Change Concentration 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.

The concentration in Organizational Leadership and Change 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 Change Concentration will understand that establishing responsible and ethical relationships, valuing and respecting each individual, and leading with passion and purpose are all necessary to insure 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 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 units from the courses below to fulfill the OLC concentration requirements.

• OLC 500 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 508 - Essentials of Human Resources 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 514 - Strategic Planning and Decision Making 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 521 - Business Principles for Leaders 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 528 - Human Diversity and Ethics 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 535 - Project and Operational Management 3 Unit(s)
• OLC 542 - Managing External Relationships 3 Unit(s)

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.