Early Childhood Education

• The program meets the CCTC Preliminary Education Specialist, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teaching credential.
• Our academic coordinator and credential analyst is available to guide you through the CCTC aspects of the application, orientation to the degree program, and completion of the program.
• Gain clinical experience every semester for two years.
• Secure placement at our celebrated Mills College Children’s School and other schools/districts.
• Develop instructional competencies and personal disposition with seasoned mentors who are ECE professionals.

This 42-credit, two-year program’s equity-centered approach to praxis advances social justice and increases access and opportunity for all children.

Most courses in the MA in Early Childhood Education program meet CCTC standards, utilizing a strengths-based approach, which teaches students to approach early childhood with an appreciation of the diverse capabilities and resources children and families offer. The MA in Early Childhood Education program focuses on social justice and equity, centering on a disability studies approach. Students examine how societal systems set limitations based on “othered” identities, and how their instruction, interaction, and advocacy can create equitable and accessible learning opportunities. The degree is conferred by Mills College at Northeastern University, and the teaching credentials are presented by CCTC.

The Early Child Education (ECE) department maintains the belief that coursework and fieldwork must be integrated. Therefore, courses have assignments requiring engagement in educational settings, and students will be placed in experiential learning/educational fieldwork every semester of the two-year program. During a student’s first year, they will be placed at the Mills College Children’s School, where they are closely mentored by experienced and knowledgeable early childhood professionals. Students participate in weekly reflective circles with team members, where they discuss instructional decisions and interventions, receive feedback, and identify the next steps for supporting children and families. During the second year, student teaching will take place in an early intervention setting and a preschool-kindergarten setting.

In their field placements, students have an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of effective early intervention and preschool special education. These experiential learning experiences total more than 900 hours, far exceeding the 600 hours of fieldwork required by the CCTC. Throughout the course sequence of the MA in Early Childhood Education program, students will compile a digital portfolio, including course assignments, such as reflection pieces, presentations, and papers. The portfolio will provide us with assessment evidence of varied experiences, depth of knowledge, and critical reflection around instruction gained during the program. A description of clinical experiences is available here.

• Complete 42 total credits
• Acquire 600 minimum hours of fieldwork
• Gain clinical experience every semester for two years
• Develop instructional competencies and personal disposition with seasoned mentors who are ECE professionals
• Prepare to apply to the CCTC for a Preliminary Education Specialist credential with a specialty area of early childhood special education
• Prepare to work with children with special needs in early intervention programs, preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten, and inclusive/special education classrooms
• Achieve readiness to assume leadership positions within early childhood education as program directors or within policy or research institutions

Applications will be read on a rolling basis as they are received.

Deadlines are subject to change.

• Application

• Application fee

• Letters of recommendation (2-3)

• Transcripts from all institutions attended

  • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the

    FCE requirements

    by country.)

• Personal statement

• Resumé

• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo exam scores for applicants whose native language is not English

Prerequisites and Application Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution 

• Completed at least one course in child development, early childhood education, developmental psychology, or child psychology

• Completed at least 40 hours of volunteer or paid work in a school or other educational setting, specifically with young children, prior to enrollment. We encourage prospective students to complete these hours as early as possible so that we may consider their experience during the application review process.  

• Passed all portions of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) for compliance with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing 

Basic Skills Requirements

• All candidates are required to have satisfied the Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667).  

• About the requirement: All Mills College at Northeastern University credential program applicants must satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement before program admittance. 

What to submit: The applicant must upload proof of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement for the credential analyst to review and approve when submitting the application for admission.