Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education), MEd
ASU Health - Clinical
ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Students interested in this program should apply to the Early Childhood Education MEd or the Early Childhood Education (Teacher Certification) MEd.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is changing their name, effective Fall 2025. The new name is Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
No matter where you're located, you can earn your master's degree online, prepare to build a solid learning foundation for children during their most formative years, and add professional experiences to your coursework in preparation for obtaining Arizona teacher certification after graduation.
The Master of Education program in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in early childhood education prepares individuals to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of children from birth through age 8 or grade 3.
This master's degree program is appropriate for students interested in learning about early childhood education research and working with infants and children; and it can help advance the professional development of students who already have a teaching certificate and are interested in deepening their knowledge, strengthening their skills or pursuing doctoral studies.
Through online coursework and applied activities, the program equips students with specialized skills and advanced knowledge in early childhood pedagogy, community collaboration, technology, administration, policy analysis and advocacy.
Students can also choose to add in-person professional experiences to their degree program that prepare them to enter the teaching profession after graduation. Students pursuing teacher certification complete internships and full-time teaching residencies to gain experience in two levels: pre-K and grades K--3. Faculty members and highly qualified certified mentor teachers provide guidance and support along the way.
Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification as Early Childhood, Birth--Age 8 or Grade 3 teachers. To teach in an Arizona public school, graduates must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (ECD 593)
Students in this program complete an applied project within their plan of study as a culminating experience.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.
The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
GRE scores are not required for admission.
Students gain skills in teaching, conducting research, using technology and analyzing policy --- all of which prepare graduates to expand or pursue educational careers working with young children and their families.
Career examples include:
- child care worker
- education administrator
- family social worker
- preschool teacher or director
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Division of Teacher Preparation
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
