Master of Science degree with a Major in Early Childhood Services

Arkansas State University
Department of Teacher Education
P.O.Box 2350
State University, AR 72467
Phone (870) 972-3059
Fax (870) 972-3344
http://www2.astate.edu/a/education/teachered/degreeslicensure/


Dr. Joanna Grymes
Phone (870) 680-8430
Email: grymesj@astate.edu


Program Description
The Master of Science in Early Childhood Services degree is a professional degree designed for individuals employed by agencies other than public schools that provide services directly or indirectly for young children and their families. The individuals who work in these roles neither need nor desire licensure for public school teaching; therefore, there is no licensure requirement for entry into this program. The Master of Science in Early Childhood Services program will not lead to licensure to teach in a public school on any level. Individuals with or working toward licensure (such as the non-traditional licensure program) are welcome to enter the program.


Admission Requirement
Students seeking admission into the Master of Science degree program in Early Childhood Services must meet admission requirements of the Graduate School. In addition, full admission status requires satisfaction of the following criteria:

  1. The candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or an allied field of study (i.e., social work, home economics, nursing, psychology, or child development);

  2. The candidate must have completed course equivalents for at least 12 hours of the undergraduate Early Childhood Education core, to be assessed by the Early Childhood Education Graduate Committee (non-traditional licensure program requirements will meet this expectation); and

  3. The candidate must document a minimum of one year of work experience in a program serving young children.

Candidates who do not meet the program admission requirements will be required to complete undergraduate coursework to meet identified deficiencies. Prior coursework will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if any deficiencies exist. Applicants who do not meet the work experience requirement prior to or during the course of the M.S.E.C.S. degree program must complete an additional six hours of early childhood education practicum as a graduation requirement. (These six hours will be required in addition to the 30-hour program requirement.)


Deadline: Fall - July 1 and Spring - November 15.


gradsch@astate.edu