Master’s in Early Childhood Education (M.S.Ed.)
Shape Young Minds
The University of Maine at Farmington offers the state’s only Maine-based Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Early Childhood, designed for professionals seeking to become exceptional leaders in the field. Graduates are prepared to excel as educators, trainers, classroom teachers, administrators, policy advocates, curriculum specialists, and program developers.
Through a creative and diverse curriculum, students develop the skills to collaborate with community agencies and professionals while benefiting from rigorous coursework and faculty mentorship. The program emphasizes excellence in practice and research, with a strong focus on addressing diversity and fostering leadership in early childhood education.
Concentrations
Take any of the following electives as they are offered for a well-rounded course of study in Early Childhood.
Courses
- ECH 502 Diverse Programming in Early Learning Environments
- ECH 534 Policy and Leadership in Early Childhood
- ECH 505 Mathematics in the Early Childhood Years
- ECH 506 Language and Literacy in the Early Years
- ECH 507 Advanced Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum
- ECH 537 Science in the Early Childhood Years
- ECH 577 Special Topics in Early Childhood Education
This concentration is designed for educators interested in connecting their students with the natural world around them and developing hands-on learning experiences.
Required Courses
- EDU 539 Introduction to Nature Based Education and Outdoor Learning
- EDU 520: Nature-Based Programming and Leadership
- ENV 577: Natural History of Maine/New England
Choose two electives from the following courses
- EDU 559: Outdoor Classroom Design
- EDU 549 Design Thinking for Early Learners and Elementary
- EDU 508 Nature-Based Art Education
- EDU 514 Exploring Maine Through Children’s Literature
- EDU 555: Integrating Nature into the Curriculum
This concentration is designed for educators who want to explore the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) in their classrooms in order to nurture creativity and critical thinking skills in early and elementary learners.
Required Courses
- Engineering for Early Learners and Elementary
- Introduction to STEAM for Early Learners and Elementary
- Design Thinking for Early Learners and Elementary
Choose two electives from the following courses
- Computational Thinking for Early Learning and Elementary
- Technology for Young Learners
- Advanced Mathematics Methods for Elementary School Teachers
- Exploring Maine Through Children’s Literature
- Science in the Early Childhood Years
- Creative Arts in Early Education
How to Apply
To apply for the M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood, you will need to provide the following:
In order to apply, you must have a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university OR a baccalaureate degree in a non-related field OR in an education field outside of the early childhood years.
If you have a non-Early Childhood Education degree, you must provide a clear rationale for relevant preparation to enter the Early Childhood program at an advanced level of study. See Supplementary Essay below for details.
If you have a foreign degree, it must be validated by World Educational Services, Center for Educational Documentation, Inc., or another appropriate agency. The decision to accept the degree is made on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean for Graduate and Continuing Education.
You must also have access to active programs for children and families in order to complete field experiences, including research projects.
Please email completed forms to: gradstudies@maine.edu
Please provide official transcripts from each institution you have attended (including both the undergraduate and graduate level). Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions to the UMF’s Office of Graduate Studies. If you attended a UMaine System school (UMA, UMF, UMFK, UMM, UM, UMPI, or USM), the Office of Graduate Studies can obtain your transcript for you.
Applicants must submit an essay that will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee to evaluate your ability to organize your thoughts and write clearly, correctly, and creatively at a level required for graduate study. We consider your essay an important piece of information to help us make a decision.
Your essay will be evaluated for content and professional writing style, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. 500 word limit. Please address all of these topics:
- Self Assessment: Analyze the strengths, including career and leadership experience, that will contribute to your success in UMF’s master’s program. Articulate the knowledge and skills you wish to develop further.
- Vision and Values: Describe your vision of high quality early childhood education in today’s world and the values that guide your work with young children and the families.
If you did not complete an undergraduate degree in early childhood or a closely related field (i.e. child development, early childhood special education, human development), you must submit an additional essay in response to the following prompts. 500 word limit.
Please address all topics.
- Describe a clear rationale for relevant preparation to enter an early childhood program at an advanced level of study (such as foundational knowledge and/or knowledge of current issues in the field)
- Summarize your work experience with children and families in birth to age eight programs.
Two recommendation forms are required:
These individuals should know you in a professional or educational context and speak to your abilities for graduate study.
Download Recommendation Form>>
Note: This is a fillable form, and you may need to download it to enable it.
Most courses require some direct contact with children, through observations, projects, and/or research. You will need to have a clear criminal history and child abuse and neglect check and provide current documentation to the Office of Graduate Studies. Any fee incurred will be your responsibility.
Documentation may be:
Option 1: Two documents
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services clear check of substantiated Maine Child Protective Services Cases (This check must be initiated by the agency where you are employed.) AND
- Maine State Bureau Identification Maine Criminal History Check (This check can be obtained on your own.)
Option 2:
- Copy of current Maine DOE public teaching certification that indicates a Criminal History Check has been conducted.
Option 3:
- Copy of Initial Educational Approval from Maine DOE that indicates a Criminal History Check has been conducted
If you are requesting that graduate-level coursework be transferred from another institution into this UMF Master’s program, in addition to your transcript you must submit the syllabi for each course you would like considered for transfer. Transfer decisions are made at the time of admission.
A student, with the approval of the Admissions Committee, may transfer up to 9 graduate credits from another institution into his/her academic program; only 3 of these credits may be in the core of the program. These credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution, within 5 years prior to admission, and with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent). Graduate credits applied toward an undergraduate degree cannot be used toward the Master’s degree.