Program: Early Childhood Education, M.S. - University of Houston Clear Lake

Apr 28, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

The graduate plan in Early Childhood Education leads to the Master of Science degree. Students may be subject to an interview with members of the Early Childhood Education program prior to admission. Students seeking this degree must complete at least 36 hours of credit. Within the degree, there are four tracks from which a candidate can choose. Early Childhood Education: the master’s degree only, the master’s degree with a focus on young children with disabilities, the master’s degree with Early Childhood Leadership Certificate, and the master’s degree with PK-3 certification.

Early Childhood Education M.S. Online Option

The online graduate plan in Early Childhood Education leads to the Master of Science degree. Students may be subject to an interview with members of the Early Childhood Education program prior to admission. Students seeking this degree must complete at least 36 hours of credit. Within the degree, there are two tracks from which a candidate can choose. Early Childhood Education: the master’s degree only and the master’s degree with the Early Childhood Leadership Certificate.

Check prerequisites before enrolling in any courses.

Degree Requirements

Track A - MS Early Childhood Education (36 Hours)

Professional Education Core (12 hours)

EDUC 6032 - Applied Statistics Credit Hours: 3
EDUC 6033 - Research Design and Analysis Credit Hours: 3
INST 6031 - Applications of Technology Credit Hours: 3
SILC 6030 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credit Hours: 3

Early Childhood Education Core (12 hours)

ECED 5031 - Teaching Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5131 - Curriculum Development for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5132 - Literacy Development in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5133 - Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3

Electives (6 Hours)

Select six hours from the list below in consultation with faculty adviser:

ECED 5231 - Play and the Developing Child Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5331 - Evaluation of Development of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5335 - Children, Family, and Society Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5032 - Community Programs for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5033 - Guidance and Management for PK-3 Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5038 - Creative Arts in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5039 - Early Childhood Advocacy: Teachers, Parents, Schools and Community Credit Hours: 3

Master’s Degree Option (6 Hours)

Option 1: Master’s Thesis

(Must register for 2 semesters)

EDUC 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Option 3: Master’s Internship/Practicum

Additional elective course approved by faculty adviser:

ECED 6739 - Early Childhood Education Practicum Credit Hours: 3

Track B - MS Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Special Education (36 hours) - Available 100% Online

(Must earn a “C” or better in all coursework.)

Master’s Degree Option (6 Hours)

Option 3: Master’s Internship/Practicum

ECED 5737 - Practicum: Infants and Young Children With Exceptionalities Credit Hours: 3
SPED 5931 - Research Topics in Special Education Credit Hours: 3

Track D - MS Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Leadership (36-39 Hours)

(Must earn a “C” or better in all coursework.)

Professional Education Core (12 Hours)

EDUC 6032 - Applied Statistics Credit Hours: 3
EDUC 6033 - Research Design and Analysis Credit Hours: 3
INST 6031 - Applications of Technology Credit Hours: 3
SILC 6030 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credit Hours: 3

Early Childhood Education Core (12 Hours)

ECED 5031 - Teaching Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5131 - Curriculum Development for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5132 - Literacy Development in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5133 - Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3

Electives (6 Hours)

ECED 5336 - Administration and Management of Programs for Young Children I Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5337 - Administration and Management of Programs for Young Children II Credit Hours: 3

Master’s Degree Option (6 Hours)

Option 1: Master’s Thesis

(Must register for 2 semesters)

EDUC 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Option 3: Master’s Internship/Practicum

ECED 6739 - Early Childhood Education Practicum Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 5032 - Human Behavior in Organizations Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

MGMT 5032 can only be taken after consultation with faculty adviser.
Three hours of an approved elective (internship requires prior completion of a minimum of nine hours of the professional education core and a minimum of 15 ECED hours completed from the 21 ECED hours on the plan).
All placement sites must have an approved UHCL Agreement of Affiliation on record with the Center for the Professional Development of Teachers office prior to beginning the practicum.
Option 1 can only be taken after consultation with faculty adviser.

Track E - MS Early Childhood Education: PK-3 Certification (37-40 Hours)

(This option is for those with a valid Texas teaching certificate in a category found in the Texas Administrative Code)

(Must earn a “C” or better in all coursework)

Professional Education Core (12 Hours)

EDUC 6032 - Applied Statistics Credit Hours: 3
EDUC 6033 - Research Design and Analysis Credit Hours: 3
INST 6031 - Applications of Technology Credit Hours: 3
SILC 6030 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credit Hours: 3

Early Childhood Education Core (12 Hours)

ECED 5031 - Teaching Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5131 - Curriculum Development for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5132 - Literacy Development in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5133 - Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3

PK-3 Courses (7 hours)

ECED 5033 - Guidance and Management for PK-3 Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5010 - Teacher Seminar Credit Hours: 1
ECED 5331 - Evaluation of Development of Young Children Credit Hours: 3

Master’s Degree Option (6-9 Hours)

Option 1

(Must register for 2 semesters)

EDUC 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5431 - The Science of Teaching Reading for PK-3 Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

ECED 5431 (if not passed STR Exam)

Can only be taken after consultation with faculty adviser
Consult faculty adviser for approved certifications

Option 3

ECED 6739 - Early Childhood Education Practicum Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5231 - Play and the Developing Child Credit Hours: 3
ECED 5431 - The Science of Teaching Reading for PK-3 Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

ECED 5231 (if passed STR Exam) or ECED 5431 (if not passed STR Exam)

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) and a 3.000 GPA in the last 60 hours.
- If GPA in last 60 hours is 3.000 or higher, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is NOT required.
If GPA is below 3.000, scores from the GRE/MAT must be submitted.
- If GPA is below 2.500 - 3.000, minimum required test scores:
  - GRE - 294 combined on the Quantitative & Verbal, 3.5 Analytical Writing;
  - MAT - 390