MA in Early Childhood Education in Oakland United States | Northeastern University

The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with Early Childhood Special Education Preliminary Teaching Credential equips you to teach in early intervention programs, preschools, transitional kindergarten (TK), and kindergarten classrooms, working with infants and young children (birth to age five) with diverse disabilities. Our justice-focused teaching methodology promotes equity while expanding educational access for every child.

During hands-on training, you'll apply your knowledge of effective early intervention and preschool special education strategies. These practical sessions accumulate over 900 hours, surpassing the 600-hour fieldwork mandate set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

This 42-credit, two-year Master of Arts program in Early Childhood Education strives to establish worldwide benchmarks in professional preparation, developing future leaders for California's public school systems. By partnering with families, you'll empower young children with disabilities (birth through kindergarten) to achieve their fullest capabilities.

The majority of our courses align with CCTC requirements and employ an asset-based framework, encouraging educators to recognize the unique strengths and cultural assets that children and families bring to early learning environments. With a dual emphasis on social justice and equity, our curriculum adopts a disability studies perspective, analyzing how societal structures impose restrictions based on marginalized identities while exploring instructional methods, engagement techniques, and advocacy work that foster inclusive learning environments. Mills College at Northeastern University awards the master's degree, while CCTC issues the teaching credentials.