Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Spring 2015
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Catalog Copy
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Child and Family Studies: Early Education prepares professionals for leadership positions that serve young children with and without disabilities and their families. It is conveniently designed for prospective students who possess an initial teaching license and who wish to pursue an advanced degree on a part-time basis. The graduate degree program is for professionals who teach or provide services or intervention in infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten settings that include young children with and without disabilities; who administer family agency programs that have a child development and family relations focus; who work as consultants, parent educators, inclusion specialists, program coordinators, supervisors, and staff development trainers; who wish to pursue certification as a Child Life Specialist (through the Child Life Council); or who seek research and evaluation expertise in child and family studies and community leadership in child and family programs. Graduates who possess an initial license in Birth-Kindergarten at the time of application and acceptance will qualify for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License in Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction upon completion of the program.
Degree Program Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, or a related field from an accredited institution
A copy of a North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Elementary Education, Special Education, or Birth-Kindergarten (or its equivalent from another state)
2. Official transcripts of all previous work beyond high school documenting an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Evidence of satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
- A personal statement outlining why the applicant seeks admission to the program and describing professional experiences with young children and their families
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal or professional qualifications
- Apply online at graduateschool.uncc.edu