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.