Masters Degree (M.Ed.) in
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
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PROGRAM DETAILS
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Masters Degrees
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
About this Program
Expand your knowledge and skills for working with children with and without disabilities. In this blended master's degree program (Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education), you will learn to implement a curriculum framework that supports early development and learning for all young children. The program is designed for working professionals and will prepare you for leadership positions as a teacher, researcher, or administrator.
The program has thesis (30 credit hours) and non-thesis (36 credit hours) options. It is recommended that students discuss Thesis and non-Thesis options with program faculty on an individual basis to determine an appropriate option. The master’s program includes practica, which are supervised by U.K. faculty. The practicum may be completed at location convenient for the student.
Upon completion of the M. Ed. program, students may seek Rank II certification in Kentucky.
Designed For
This program is appropriate for educators passionate about fostering the development of young children through a holistic approach that integrates education, psychology, and family dynamics. Prospective students often have experience in early childhood education or related fields and aim to specialize in designing inclusive and effective learning environments for young learners.
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What You’ll Learn
- Conduct classroom, program, and student assessments using a variety of tools, including observation, portfolios, and standardized testing.
- Develop educational plans for individual students and map curricula for classrooms and programs that draw on your knowledge of childhood development.
- Create rich learning environments that apply findings from research and theory and foster student learning outcomes.
Course Examples
- IEC 620 Assessment in IECE
- IEC 621 Issues in IECE
- IEC 623 Advanced Practicum in IECE
- IEC 710 Advanced Instructional Methods in IECE
- IEC 659 Advanced Child Development
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Personal Statement
- Writing Sample
- Three letters of recommendation (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025- early decision apply by 3/15
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
Is there a tuition cap?
Yes! For graduate students who enroll full-time (9+ credit hours) exclusively in a distance education program, will receive a capped tuition rate. To see the current term’s capped tuition rate, please visit https://www.uky.edu/studentaccount/tuition and look for “Graduate Students Enrolled Exclusively in Distance Education Courses -- full-time.” This is the per semester rate you will pay when enrolled for 9 or more credit hours. Please note, this rate only applies to programs using the standard graduate tuition rate.
What tuition assistance is available for graduate students?
Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
This program denotes "Online in Real-time". What exactly does that mean?
The program is utilizing synchronous lectures for a large portion of instruction. This requires students to log on and attend class or activities at a specified time listed in the syllabus. This could be a weekly occurrence, or less frequent. To learn more about the schedule, reach out the the program contact listed on this page.
Should I enroll as a full-time graduate student?
This depends on each student and their ability to manage the heavy course load of enrolling full-time, which is 9 credit hours (typically, 3 classes) per semester. Students who enroll full-time may find it difficult to keep even a part-time job. Students who are able to manage a full-time courseload can take advantage of our Graduate Tuition Cap and save on tuition, which offers a flat tuition rate per semester when enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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