Overview of the Online MS in Early Childhood Professionals Program
Children only get one childhood – and in their most formative years, they need someone like you to help them thrive. Are you ready to widen your career opportunities and learn how to serve your students at the highest level?
As national and state regulations create higher expectations for the early childhood profession, it’s more important than ever for educators to pursue advanced degrees. Through the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education program, you’ll build on your existing bachelor’s degree and teaching experience, learning to support the healthy development of young children (birth – age 8).
Indiana Wesleyan University’s program offers:
- 100% online coursework
- Real-world field experiences with students of various ages
- Practitioner-based, hands-on learning projects
This program offers a graduate-level, non-licensure degree structured to prepare candidates as advanced-level early childhood professionals by focusing on subject-matter expertise, assessment knowledge, research, and developmentally appropriate instructional practices to early learning environments
You’ll Learn To…
- Create safe, healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments
- Actively promote child development and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all children in childcare, classroom, home, and community settings.
- Design developmentally appropriate, content-rich, and purposeful curriculum
- Facilitate positive, respectful, and reciprocal relationship-based interactions as a foundation to support, empower, and engage young children and families
TUITION
33 Total
Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and employer reimbursement.
COURSES
Here is the list of courses required to complete the program. Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles. For further information, feel free to contact us.
11 Core Courses
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer the public health world with confidence.
EDUT-514,EDUT-524,EDUT-532,EDUT-534,EDUT-544,ECED-555,EDUC-510,EDUC-520,EDUC-530,EDUC-600,EDUC-630
REQUIREMENTS
Click on each section to expand the different requirements for this program. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact one of our admissions representatives at 1-866-498-4968.
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University. Transcripts from foreign institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA. If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.
- An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
- Supporting documentation of the following:
- At least 2 years of experience in a professional position related to the support of young children and their families (i.e. pediatric nurse, children’s ministry, social services, etc.).
- Access to a P-3 classroom and childcare center (Letter of agreement).
- Approval to utilize current early childhood professional position/setting as a potential alternative site for field requirements, if approved.
- Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.
- Proof of up-to-date TB test.
- Most current vaccination record.
- A signed Field Placement Requirement Notification form.
- A criminal history background check that meets School of Educational Leadership Guidelines.
NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check that is acceptable to the university as a part of their application materials, that successful background report will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted candidates should understand that additional background checks at the candidate's expense will most likely be required by school corporations and early childcare facilities before participating in clinical experiences.
- Successfully complete the program curriculum.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
START DATES
The MS - Early Childhood Education at Indiana Wesleyan University has many convenient starts throughout the year. Listed below are the next available starts. If you don’t see a start that fits your schedule, connect with our enrollment team to see more future starts.
Accreditation
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.
*Effective 07-01-2023 through 06-30-2024