The Faculty of Education at UBC offers both a Master of Education (MEd) and a Master of Arts (MA) in Early Childhood Education. These programs are offered through the Centre for Cross Faculty Inquiry (CCFI). Individuals interested in pursuing a PhD related to early childhood education may do so through one of the programs offered by departments (Curriculum Studies, Educational Psychology and Special Education, Educational Studies, or Language and Literacy Education) or the Center for Cross Faculty Inquiry. Information on PhD programs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MA/M.Ed Admissions Requirements and Procedures

MA & MEd PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Graduate programs in ECE are designed for educators and child care professionals who wish to explore issues in early childhood research, theory, and practice. Early childhood graduate programs are interdisciplinary, cross-departmental programs that consist of core courses in early childhood education (ECED) and related courses in other departments.

To complement their programs, students have the opportunity to take additional courses in early childhood education, including 3-6 credits of ECED 565, explorations of special topics in early childhood education; additional credits in ECED 585; as well as many departmental offerings related to early childhood education. For example, approved elective courses might be found in child development and special education (Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education), in early language and literacy (Department of Language and Literacy Education), in early numeracy (Department of Curriculum Studies), or in the history of childhood (Department of Educational Studies), as shown in the chart further on this page.

All Master's students take an overview of methodological approaches to research in education (EDUC 500). MA students also take an additional 3 credits of research methods to prepare them for their thesis project. To complete their programs, all students undertake a capstone experience: MEd students prepare a 3-credit graduating paper, ECED 590, while MA students complete a master's thesis (ECED 599).

Master of Education (MEd)
The MEd program in Early Childhood Education is designed for teachers, early childhood educators, and other early childhood education professionals who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of professional practice with young children. The program consists of 30 credits, normally 9 courses plus a 3-credit graduating paper (ECED 590), which meets the TQS capstone experience criteria.

Please see the chart further on this page for M.Ed course requirements

Master of Arts (MA)
The MA program is designed for teachers, early childhood educators, and other early childhood education professionals who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of theory and research with young children. The program is a 30-credit research-oriented degree consisting of seven or eight courses plus the thesis/research study.

ECED MA/MEd Recommended Electives (Cross-Faculty Graduate Courses)
Curriculum Studies	Learning & Development	Language & Literacy Education
CUST 562 Introduction to Curriculum Issues and Theories CUST 563 Curriculum Evaluation CUST 564 Texts, Politics, and Ideologies of Curriculum Development CUST 566 Curriculum Change and Implementation CUST 568 Curricula in their Historical Context MAED 547 Mathematics Teaching in the Elementary School	EPSE 501 Applications of Educational Psychology EPSE 502 Cognition, Language and Literacy Processes in Education EPSE 503 Cultural Perspectives on Learning, Development and Media EPSE 505 Human Development in Education EPSE 511 Special Topics in Human Development in Education EPSE 513 Seminar in Developmental Disabilities EPSE 516 Seminar in the Development and Education of Highly Able and Creative Learners	LLED 511 Seminar in Child Language in Education LLED 534 Theory and Research in Teaching Written Composition LLED 535 Theory and Research in Drama in Education LLED 550 Review of Reading Research LLED 552 Theoretical Foundations of Reading Research and Practice LLED 556 Theory and Research in Early Literacy LLED 557 Family Literacy: Issues and Perspectives LLED 558 Literacy and Multimodality
Social & Cultural Studies	Leadership Studies	Research Methodologies
EDST 502 Growing Up in History: the Meanings of Childhood EDST 503 Curricula in Their Historical Context EDST 505 First Nations and Educational Change EDST 591 Indigenous Epistemology and Curriculum EDST 592 Conceptions of Teaching and Learning FMST 520, Theories About the Family	EADM 501 Research Traditions in Educational Administration EADM 532 Leadership in Educational Organizations EADM 579 School-Community Relations	CUST 510 Video Ethnography in Education Research: Culture, Technology and Interpretation CUST 512 Education Action Research EDUC 503 Ethnography and Education EDUC 504 Seminar in Qualitative Data Analysis
Students should select electives in consultation with their supervisors. Supervisor’s approval is required for electives not listed above. Please see the lists of pre-approved electives, below.

Pre-approved electives: Graduate courses in Education and other faculties

Pre-approved electives: Undergraduate courses in Education and other faculties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)