Inspire and shape the minds of young children with a master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education focused on Leadership from the University of Central Missouri. Early childhood educators who lead their organizations play a significant role in ensuring that children and staff are able to grow, learn and thrive in classroom environments. To meet this responsibility, they must be capable supervisors, managers and directors.
Our Leadership option in the master鈥檚 in Early Childhood Education degree program bridges the gap between early childhood teaching and administration and fulfills requirements for the Missouri Early Childhood Director credential.
Get your UCM Early Childhood Education degree online
Our 100% online master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education offers flexible options for early childhood educators to advance into educational leadership positions. Earning your master鈥檚 in Early Childhood Education degree online will enable you to achieve your academic and career goals while you鈥檙e working. At the same time, you鈥檒l learn from the same experienced faculty members who teach on campus.
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MO Early Childhood Director credential
Earn your master鈥檚 in less than 2 years
Coursework aligned to NAEYC standards
100% online degree
The graduate courses you鈥檒l take as part of the master鈥檚 in Early Childhood Education - Leadership program address real-world issues related to managing early childhood education programs. These include fiscal management and budgeting, the impact of laws and policies on children and families and the role of technology in the classroom. You鈥檒l also take courses on how to provide developmentally appropriate instruction and facilitate positive and healthy learning environments. Choose from courses such as:
Our graduate students stand out from other job candidates because of the hands-on, practical experience they gain. You鈥檒l have a variety of ways to learn and lead while preparing for advanced career opportunities:
As the early childhood education field continues to sharpen its focus on curriculum, policy and best management practices, the demand for early childhood educators who can help guide this important work is growing. While earning your degree online, you鈥檒l build upon your prior teaching expertise and prepare for diverse management jobs in early childhood education.
The Leadership option in UCM鈥檚 master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education specifically prepares you to lead other early childhood educators in inclusive childcare settings such as:
Leadership jobs you can get with a master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education from UCM
Earning a master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on Leadership, can help further your career and increase your salary potential. Explore leadership opportunities for early childhood educators using the interactive tool below.
A UCM degree is a valuable investment in your future, particularly if you鈥檙e looking to advance into leadership jobs in early childhood education. Recognized as a top-ranked university for low student debt by LendEDU, UCM offers a variety of resources to help you finance your graduate degree in Early Childhood Education.
At UCM, several scholarships are available to graduate students, including those enrolled in UCM鈥檚 master鈥檚 in Early Childhood Education - Leadership degree program. You may also qualify for scholarships from the College of Education.
Use the to help you identify and apply for scholarships.
Gain additional knowledge and skills by adding a graduate certificate to your master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on Leadership, from UCM:
Consider these other graduate programs at UCM that can also help you build your career in education:
With a Master of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), you will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to achieve the following professional skills:
To be accepted into the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree program, in the School of Teaching & Learning, you must: (a) have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75; (b) submit proof of teacher certification or professional endorsement from any of the 50 states or territories and have graduated from a CAEP or regionally accredited university; (c) submit a copy of your last summative teaching evaluation, or a letter from a school superintendent, principal, director, or professor attesting to teaching skills and/or graduate studies potential.
The following courses are required by all three options within the Master of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE):
The Early Childhood Education Leadership option is concentrated on preparing early childhood educators for teaching in inclusive childcare settings, or in early childhood special education specifically. In addition to the core courses, you will select three of these courses for this option:
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