Early Childhood Education - Graduate Course Descriptions

EDEC 5100, 5200, 5300: Inservice Workshop
This course is designed to provide the opportunity for groups of teachers to study specific educational problems in the early childhood area. Up to six semester hours of credit in inservice workshops maybe used for degree requirements with the prior approval of the student's advisor. Course fee required.

EDEC 5302: Research Project in Early Childhood Education
Continuation of EDUC 5301. The student will complete an approved project under the direction of the instructor and student's advisor. Prerequisite: EDUC 5301, advisor consent. Course fee required.

EDEC 5310: Integrating Nutrition Concepts into the Curriculum
The selection and teaching of appropriate nutrition concepts to young children. Course fee required.

EDEC 5327: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Programs and Practices
Investigation of current major issues related to young children. Emphasis will be on social, legal and criminal conditions which affect child rearing practices and educational programs for children. Course fee required.

EDEC 5332: The Care of Infants and Toddlers
Observing and recording behavior and development during the first three years of life. Application of multidisciplinary theories of development to enhance age-appropriate experiences within home and institutional settings. Analysis of current research. Field experience. Course fee required.

EDEC 5335: Developmental Language Experiences for Young Children
A study of the developmental processes by which children attain language. The use of techniques and materials to promote communication skills from birth through eight years.Course fee required.

EDEC 5337: Creative Activities for the Young Child
Use of art, dramatic play, music, and play media to develop the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor skills of children two through eight years of age. Course fee required.

EDEC 5340: Seminar in Early Childhood Education
Techniques for encouraging the continuous growth and development of young children through the use of methods, materials, and activities. Students have the opportunity to study current problems and issues as well as to evaluate critically research in early childhood education. Course fee required.

EDEC 5342: Development of the Young Child
Use of various methods of studying children with application of established principles to the solution of problems of behavior and learning. Field experience required. Course fee required.

EDEC 5348: Curriculum Development in Early Childhood
In-depth study of basic principles underlying curriculum construction in early childhood. Emphasis will be on the selection and organization of activities and materials for use with young children. Course fee required.

EDEC 5349: Instructional Improvement in Early Childhood Education
Innovative strategies and materials specifically related to meeting the individual learning needs of children three years of age through third grade in science, mathematics, and the social sciences. Course fee required.

EDEC 5352: Practicum in the Kindergarten
Supervised teaching in the kindergarten. Includes observing, planning, conducting and evaluating learning experiences for young children. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours in Early Childhood Education and consent of advisor. Course fee required.

EDEC 5395: Thesis
Selection of a research topic and development of a thesis plan. Prerequisite: Fifteen graduate hours. Course fee required.

EDEC 5396: Thesis
Completion and approval of thesis. Prerequisite: EDEC 5396 or concurrent enrollment. Course fee required.

EDEC 5630: Comparative International Early Childhood
Provides the student with opportunities to visit and compare early childhood educational programs in a variety of international settings. Pre-trip classroom experiences enhance the travel experience. Course fee required.

EDEC 5199 - 5699: Independent Study
Independent study in specific areas of early childhood education not covered by organized graduate courses. A maximum of six credit hours of independent study courses may be applied toward a graduate degree. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair. Course fee required.