Mastering the systematic and rigorous process of posing a focused question, developing a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, collecting and analyzing relevant data and drawing conclusions.

This course will emphasize the difference between academic writing for a master's program and writing for personal use. APA Formatting will be emphasized, strategies for developing a literature review, and writing for academic use will be included.

Along with the presentation of curriculum and instruction theory, this course will explore the development and implementation of early childhood curriculum and instruction. The link between assessment and program evaluation will be made.

The various methods of child study, observation, portfolio development, and other assessment strategies are studied as a way to assess children's growth and the development of knowledge and skills. In addition, current classroom practices and learning environments are explored to identify changes that benefit children, their families, and communication between program and home.

This course is a study of the various theoretical foundations of play and their application to young children's development and learning. Students examine the role of the teacher in children's play, analyze play environments, and review the issues and research affecting children and curricula.

Current research is studied in regard to emergent literacy and language development in children with implications for the classroom teacher. Whole language strategies are explored for children from birth through age seven.

This course presents studies of education in multicultural settings. Students explore the values, beliefs, customs, and perceptions of racial and ethnic groups which affect social life and the education of children. Concepts of culture, social class, and power are developed.

This course is a study of ethics and moral philosophy with applications to making decisions regarding current social and personal problems.

This course is an in-depth look at current literature that supports leadership in early childhood education and then extends learning to the complexities of quality programming in early childhood education.

This course will deal with law and legislation that affects early childhood education. Children and childcare are presented as issues of public policy. The skills and strategies of child advocacy are discussed and students are challenged to become active in public advocacy for children

A review and critical analysis of current educational research focused on a specific question. Students complete the capstone project.