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School of Education and Human Sciences

Graduate – Early Childhood Education Program

  • Program Title: Early Childhood Education
  • Overview Heading: Advance Your Alabama Teaching Career with a Graduate Degree!
  • Staff: 181
  • Faculty: 180
  • Feature Image: A female teacher with natural hair and tattoos sits in front of a book case reading to a small child.
  • Overview Copy:

    A strong educational foundation, built early, is crucial for students’ future success. UAB’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs teach educators to recognize and meet the evolving needs of birth-to-age-eight students in their earliest exposure to education. Candidates in our graduate Early Childhood Education program learn how to be teacher-leaders in their communities, fostering a love for learning that will impact young children’s first educational experience.

  • Title: Why choose Early Childhood Education at UAB?
  • First Heading: Accredited
  • First Copy:

    The Counsel for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Alabama State Department of Education accredits the UAB Early Childhood Education program. Learn more about accreditation.
  • Second Heading: Research Opportunities
  • Second Copy:

    The Early Childhood Education program allows students to complete research projects or presentations alongside award-winning School of Education and Human Sciences faculty. 
  • Third Heading: Simple Admissions Process
  • Third Copy:

    Learn more about the admissions process.
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  • Curriculum Copy:

    Learn to meet the evolving needs of young learners in this program with a curriculum that is based on today’s rapidly changing society. The program’s courses allow students to integrate what they are experiencing in the classroom into the graduate curriculum coursework. Candidates will take a wide range of courses focused on infant, toddler, and primary learners. Including cognitive curriculum, programs for young children, social and emotional development for young children, teaching language and literacy, and more.

  • Course Catalog Link: https://catalog.uab.edu/graduate/schoolofeducation/curriculumandinstruction/earlychildhoodeducation/
  • Resources:
    • Curriculum Resources Text: Tuition & Fees, Curriculum Resources Link: https://www.uab.edu/cost-aid/cost/detailed-tuition-fees
    • Curriculum Resources Text: Scholarships, Curriculum Resources Link: index.php?Itemid=1186
    • Curriculum Resources Text: Graduate School Application, Curriculum Resources Link: https://cloud.reach.uab.edu/graduate-application
    • Curriculum Resources Text: Admission Requirements, Curriculum Resources Link: index.php?Itemid=122
  • Graduate Recruiter: mlembke@uab.edu
  • Attend an Information Session: https://events.uab.edu/en/6g1Y8if7/g/z4rpccX17B?keywords=Early%20Childhood%20Education
  • Feature Block Title: Earn a Higher Salary in Alabama with Class A Teacher Certification
  • Feature Block Copy:

    Advancing your teaching career with a master’s degree in education will increase your P–12 teacher salary in Alabama.
  • Feature Block Linkout: https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LEAACCT_2023630_FY-2024-Salary-Schedule-for-Teachers_V1.0.pdf
  • Program Information Heading: Available Degrees
  • Program Information Copy:

    There are two graduate degrees offered for early childhood education: a Master of Arts in Education and a Doctor of Philosophy.

  • Program Information Accordion:
    • Program Title: MAEd in Early Childhood Education, Program Delivery: Online , Program Copy:

      This program is designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees and who hold current Class B certification in early childhood education. 

      Coursework takes between 30 and 33 semester hours to complete and includes courses in teaching reading and language development, critical pedagogy, effective assessment practices, as well as courses related to diversity and data literacy. Course-specific information may be found in the UAB Graduate Catalog opens a new website.

    • Program Title: PhD in Early Childhood Education, Program Delivery: On-Campus , Program Copy:

      This PhD is one of only a handful in the country that is specific to early childhood education and not a more generic curriculum and instruction degree with an “emphasis” or “specialty” in early childhood. In contrast to a generic approach to training, candidates immerse themselves in doctoral-level experiences specially designed to focus on early childhood research, teaching, and service.

      The program offers doctoral-level early childhood seminars, internships, courses, and experiences. Preparation focuses on successfully researching and teaching at the university level, advocacy, or becoming a state or district leader in early childhood education.

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