EdM in Early Childhood Education
The goal of the Early Childhood Education program at Boston University is to prepare teachers dedicated to excellence in the field of early childhood education (PreK–2). Our students focus on the development and learning of young children in preschool, public school classrooms, and other appropriate settings in diverse communities. Students develop skills in curriculum design, observation and assessment, communication, collaboration, and creating racially, culturally, and linguistically responsive environments for young children. Emphasis is placed on a commitment to equity in a multiracial and multicultural society, working in partnership with families, and fully integrating children with special needs into the learning environment.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate understanding and application of developmental, inquiry-based, inclusive, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and anti-oppression approaches to early care and education curriculum, content knowledge, and assessment that meet and exceed Massachusetts standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and/or the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC).
- Develop and apply understanding of their own racial, cultural, and linguistic identities and their marginalization and privilege to identify effects of racist and biased systems in their lives and the lives of children and families with whom they work, to empower themselves to participate in and change such systems. Build on their self-awareness and self-empowerment to implement strengths-based, anti-oppression curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and family engagement.
- Demonstrate their ability to develop and sustain strengths-based, culturally, linguistically, and racially responsive, inclusive partnerships with all types of families, caregivers, and other professionals to support the individual strengths and needs of all students and families.
- Prioritize learning and teaching that emphasizes the unique histories, strengths, and challenges faced by people who have been marginalized.
- Stay current with research and national/regional policies that impact early childhood education and well-being and consistently apply this knowledge to advocate for children and families and to reflect on and improve their practice.
There are four pathways in the degree program. Three of them include coursework that leads to a recommendation to the state for an initial teaching license in Early Childhood: PreK–2. Students who are not seeking an initial teaching license will take the course sequence described in the general program of study pathway.
Upon acceptance into the program, students will be assigned an Early Childhood Education faculty member as an advisor. This assures that students receive individual, consistent, and informed advising throughout their experience at Wheelock.
All students in the Early Childhood Education program complete fieldwork in diverse early childhood settings—such as preschools, childcare centers, and public schools—located in the greater Boston area. Field placements are supervised by Wheelock Early Childhood Education faculty, who work in partnership with carefully selected classroom teachers.
Coursework for EdM—Licensure Pathway Program of Study
For students who are coming in with minimal or no coursework in early childhood education
Program Requirements (Total Units: 48)
Required Courses (36 units)
- WED EC 507 Role of Play in Early Childhood Education (4 units)
- WED EC 540 Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum: Literacy, Social Studies, and Arts (4 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM and Inquiry-Based Learning (4 units)
- WED EC 571 Socially and Emotionally Affirming Classrooms (2 units)
- WED EC 605 Topics in Child Development & Education (4 units)
- WED HD 610 Psychology of Oppression and Liberation (4 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, Instruction (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities (2 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
- Research Selective (4 units)
Field Experiences (12 units)
Students participate in two field placements. Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many schools in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty.
- WED EC 512 Early Childhood PreK/K Fieldwork (4 units)
Students complete 200 hours of fieldwork over the course of one term in classrooms with children 3–5 years old.
- WED EC 513 PreK/K Seminar: Integrating Theory, Practice & Reflection (2 units)
- WED EC 608 Primary Practicum (4 units)
Students complete 300 hours of fieldwork over the course of one term in classrooms with children in grade 1 or 2.
- WED EC 609 Primary Practicum Seminar (2 units)
Coursework for EdM—Combined Degree Licensure Program of Study
For students who have completed the BU Wheelock undergraduate Education & Human Development major with the Teaching and Learning pathway and Early Childhood Education focus
Program Requirements (Total Units: 34)
Required Courses (28 units)
- WED EC 540 Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum: Literacy, Social Studies, and Arts (4 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM and Inquiry-Based Learning (4 units)
- WED EC 571 Socially and Emotionally Affirming Classrooms (2 units)
- WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, Instruction (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities (2 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
- Research Selective (4 units)
And 4 units of electives, to be chosen from BU Wheelock or the University at large with your academic advisor’s approval.
Field Experience (6 units)
Students participate in one field placement. Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many schools in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty.
- WED EC 608 Primary Practicum (4 units)
Students complete 300 hours of fieldwork over the course of one term in classrooms with children in grade 1 or 2.
- WED EC 609 Primary Practicum Seminar (2 units)
Coursework for EdM—Streamlined Licensure Program of Study
For students who have completed a previous degree in early childhood education or elementary education
For admission to the streamlined pathway for those with an early childhood education or elementary education degree from another college or university, approval (as elaborated below) will be required. This is needed to determine that accepted students have successfully completed the required supervised practicum with children 3–8 years old that included significant experience and responsibility equivalent to the Massachusetts state requirements for licensure in early childhood education.
During the admissions and/or initial advising phase, entering graduate students may request acceptance in the streamlined Early Childhood Education EdM leading to DESE licensure endorsement upon graduation. To qualify, students must have completed a degree in early childhood education or elementary education at an accredited university. In addition, they must have successfully completed at least one practicum experience with children in the 3–8 age range that substantially meets the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements for the comparable practicum. They must submit documentation of this experience to the Early Childhood program director, who will review their documentation and inform them of their acceptance or non-acceptance into the streamlined pathway.
Program Requirements (Total Units: 34)
Required Courses (28 units)
- WED EC 507 Role of Play in Early Childhood Education (4 units)
- WED EC 540 Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum: Literacy, Social Studies, and Arts (4 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM and Inquiry-Based Learning (4 units)
- WED EC 571 Socially and Emotionally Affirming Classrooms (2 units)
- WED HD 610 Psychology of Oppression and Liberation (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities (2 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
- Research Selective (4 units)
Field Experience (6 units)
Students participate in one field placement. Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many schools in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty. Depending on what their verified previous practicum included, students will participate in one of the field experiences listed below.
- WED EC 512 Early Childhood PreK/K Fieldwork (4 units)
Students complete 200 hours of fieldwork over the course of one term in classrooms with children 3–5 years old.
- WED EC 513 PreK/K Seminar: Integrating Theory, Practice & Reflection (2 units) or WED EC 608 Primary Practicum (4 units)
Students complete 300 hours of fieldwork over the course of the term in classrooms with children 6–8 years old.
- WED EC 609 Primary Practicum Seminar (2 units)
Coursework for EdM—General Pathway Program of Study
For students who are not seeking licensure to teach in the public schools and want to develop an understanding of how young children learn and develop
Program Requirements (Total Units: 34)
Required Courses (28 units)
- WED EC 540 Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum: Literacy, Social Studies, and Arts (4 units)
- WED EC 560 STEM and Inquiry-Based Learning (4 units)
- WED EC 605 Topics in Child Development & Education (4 units)
- WED HD 610 Psychology of Oppression and Liberation (4 units)
- Research Selective (4 units)
And 8 units of electives, to be chosen from the following:
- WED EC 507 Role of Play in Early Childhood Education (4 units)
- WED EC 571 Socially and Emotionally Affirming Classrooms (2 units)
- WED SE 504 Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities (2 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
Field Experience (6 units)
Students participate in one field placement. Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many schools in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty.
- WED EC 512 Early Childhood PreK/K Fieldwork (4 units)
Students complete 200 hours of fieldwork over the course of one term in classrooms with children 3–5 years old.
- WED EC 513 PreK/K Seminar: Integrating Theory, Practice & Reflection (2 units)