M.A. in Education
Option Early
Childhood/Primary Education Division of Curriculum and Instruction
CSULA,
Charter College of Education
The Masters of Arts (M.A.) degree in Education with an Option in Early
Childhood/Primary Education prepares individuals to work in a variety
of settings to promote the development and learning of young children.
Required coursework covers content related to appropriate learning
experiences and curriculum for young children, school/family/community
partnerships, cultural diversity, emergent literacy, design and
management of early childhood public education programs, and issues and
trends in early childhood education. Some courses
require fieldwork to help students apply research-based principles
related to the teaching and learning process in early education
settings.
Graduates of the program become leaders in the field of early education
within the greater Los Angeles community. They are:
Site supervisors/principals of children’s centers
in local school districts
Directors of Head Start centers
Community college instructors
Service coordinators and supervisors in community-based
organizations that support young children and their families
Classroom teachers in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and
the primary-grades
Early education experts and advocates for young children
and their families
Program Outcomes
The program is designed to enable students to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of
children’s self-initiated and self-structured activities in
their learning and development.
Improve their ability to plan developmentally and
culturally appropriate curriculum to address the developmental range
and diverse characteristics of young children (birth to age 8).
Demonstrate an understanding of critical issues and trends
in the field of early childhood education.
Demonstrate personal research skills and apply theoretical
and research knowledge to practice in early childhood settings.
Engage in reflective inquiry and demonstrate professional
self-knowledge.
Increase their ability to work with linguistically and
culturally diverse children and families.
Demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with
peers/colleagues to achieve goals for children and families.
Increase their capacity to assume leadership roles in
schools or programs serving young children and their families.
Program Faculty:
As part of the Early Childhood/Primary Education Option,
you’ll receive instruction from faculty members with
extensive experience in teaching young children, research in early
childhood education, and preparation of early childhood educators.
Student Voices:
What students say about the program:
My experiences in the Early Childhood Education Master Program have
been very rewarding in the professional and personal levels.
At the professional level, this program has expanded my views and
knowledge about teaching and working with young children. The program
curriculum has allowed me to develop a deep and better understanding of
young children, their socio-emotional-physical-educational needs, the
best practices, and how best to support them. I believe the program has
prepared me to be a better teacher and to become an advocate for young
children.
At the personal level, this program has given me the unique opportunity
to meet and develop friendships with great people who care a lot about
education and young children. All of them are enthusiastic,
intelligent, creative and ready to give support.
Ana Ardon
The program allowed me to develop as a
professional. I was able to use much of the research
information and apply it to my teaching.
Extraordinary instructors who perform with professionalism
and are knowledgeable, flexible, patient and understanding.
The best thing about the program is the community of
classmates and professors formed during the program which allowed us to
share experiences and knowledge and learn from each other.
It is a fun program to be in. I like my
classmates and professors. It helps me to know that what I am
doing is something special.
Application to the Program
Click HERE to find out how to apply to the program.
Program Description
Click on the Program Plan to learn what types of classes
you’ll be taking as
part of the Early Childhood/Primary Education Option.
Program Plan to learn what types of classes
you’ll be taking as
part of the Early Childhood/Primary Education Option. 
