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Silverfield College of Education and Human Services
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Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education Leadership (M.Ed.)

Lead and advocate for high-quality early learning programs with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, concentrating in Early Childhood Education Leadership. Designed for professionals aspiring to influence early childhood education at organizational and policy levels, this program equips you with the skills to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that support young children, their families, and the educators who serve them. Through a comprehensive curriculum that includes coursework in social-emotional development, educational leadership, community resource development, and early childhood policy and law, you'll be prepared to take on leadership roles in schools, nonprofits, and governmental agencies. The program culminates in a practical experience that allows you to apply your learning and make a real-world impact.
Faculty members and students pose while attending Children's Day at the Florida Capitol.

Program at a Glance

  • Degree: Master of Education
  • Credit Hours: 30
  • Certification: Non-Licensure
  • Location: Online
  • Application Deadlines: Fall Term - August 1; Spring Term - December 1; Summer Term - April 15
  • Related Programs: Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)

 Apply Now!

Program Description

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Leadership is a graduate program designed for professionals interested in leading and transforming early learning systems. Whether you're an experienced educator, administrator or advocate, this program equips you with the leadership skills and specialized knowledge needed to drive meaningful change in early childhood education across schools, nonprofits and policy-making organizations.

Rooted in child development theory and educational leadership practice, the program emphasizes whole-child-centered approaches to leading early learning programs. Coursework focuses on topics such as early childhood policy and law, community leadership, program evaluation and the development of high-quality, responsive learning environments for children from birth through age eight.

Students apply their learning through a culminating experience tailored to their professional goals, such as an action research project or leadership practicum, allowing them to implement real-world solutions that strengthen programs and support young children and their families.

With flexible online course delivery and a focus on both instructional and organizational leadership, the program is ideal for professionals advancing into roles such as program directors, curriculum leaders, educational consultants, or early childhood advocates. Graduates are prepared to lead with confidence, influence policy, and shape the future of early childhood education at the local, state and national levels.

We're proud to be included in the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Training Directory and to offer degree programs eligible for this impactful scholarship. Funded by the Florida Division of Early Learning, the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship Program provides financial and academic support to early learning educators, directors, family child care providers, and out-of-school-time professionals. By covering the cost of credentials, college courses, certificates and degrees in early childhood education, this program helps make higher education more accessible and achievable for those dedicated to supporting young children and their families.

TEACH Early Childhood Florida, A Program of Children's Forum, Inc.

  • Course Catalog
    Explore the graduate courses that will deepen your expertise in early childhood education and prepare you to lead in diverse learning environments. The course catalog outlines the required coursework for the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Leadership, including advanced studies in educational leadership, early childhood policy and law, community engagement, and program development. Each course is designed to build your capacity as a strategic leader and equip you with the tools to create inclusive, effective learning environments that support young children, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
  • Culminating Experience

    As a culminating experience in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Leadership, students choose from three distinct courses designed to align with their professional goals:

    • EEC 6944 Practicum in Early Childhood Education: Dive into advanced observation and analysis of primary-aged classrooms, selecting a special topic that allows you to explore and reflect on effective practices in early childhood education.
    • EDA 6945 Practicum in Educational Leadership: For students interested in leadership, this practicum places you alongside an organizational leader to apply educational leadership theories in real-world settings. This course is also part of the professional development sequence for Florida certification in educational leadership.
    • EDG 6911 Action Research in the Classroom: Ideal for reflective practitioners, this course guides you through the process of conducting classroom-based action research. You’ll learn how to develop research questions, collect and analyze data, and use findings to improve teaching and contribute to the field.
    Each option provides a meaningful opportunity to synthesize your learning and apply it in a way that strengthens your leadership in early childhood education.

Career Outlook

There is a growing demand for early childhood leaders who are equipped to shape programs, influence policy and support the professionals who serve young children and their families. Graduates of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Leadership are prepared for leadership roles in preschools, early learning centers, nonprofits and community-based organizations. With advanced training in educational leadership, early childhood policy and program development, graduates are well-positioned to direct programs, lead teams, advocate for children and enact positive change. Many also use this degree as a foundation for doctoral study or to advance into executive and policymaking roles in the early childhood field.

A preschool director stands in a preschool classroom smiling.
  • University Requirements

    A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.

    Application and Fee

    Prospective students are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration may submit a new application and associated application fee. If you would like to cancel an open application, please contact us.

    A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.

    Current students who would like to add or change a major, concentration or certificate should submit the Change of Concentration or Major form.

    College Transcripts

    All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.

    All admits must provide official transcripts.

    All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:

    1. Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
    2. Evaluated course-by-course
    3. Include the overall academic GPA
    4. Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies: 

    Important Notes

    • The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
    • Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts. 
    • If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline. 
    • Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF. 
    • Official transcripts must:
      • Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
      • Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
    • When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment. 
    • Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.

    Where do I send transcripts?

    Mail

    UNF Graduate School
    1 UNF Drive
    Jacksonville, FL 32224

    Email

    graduateschool@unf.edu

  • Program Requirements
    Applicants must meet all University of North Florida requirements for admission to a graduate program. However, a current, valid teaching certificate and GRE scores are not required for admission to the Early Childhood Education concentration.
  • International Requirements

    Deadlines and Documents

    The program application deadlines below are for international students who are seeking F1/J1 visas. While these deadlines are not mandatory, we encourage students to complete their applications and submit all immigration documents at least two months prior to the regular program deadlines to ensure timely visa processing. For most programs, the international deadlines are:

    • Fall: June 1
    • Spring: October 1

    For programs with fall deadlines earlier than June 1 and spring deadlines earlier than October 1, the international deadlines are the same as the program deadlines. Please direct questions to the International Center.

    According to U.S. immigration regulations, immigration documents can only be issued for students who are fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program. F-1/J-1 students cannot pursue online degree programs, part-time enrollment, or certificate programs; please see the list of F-1 Non-Qualifying Degree Programs and contact the International Center for more information. This list is subject to change. 

    English Language Proficiency

    All international applicants, except those from an English-speaking country, are required to demonstrate English Language Proficiency by meeting the indicators listedon the English Language Proficiency page.

    Affidavit of Financial Support and Bank Certification

    The Affidavit is a legal document which is signed by the sponsor (the person who will be providing the funds) stating the amount of funds that she/he will provide for the educational expenses of the student applicant and then certified by a bank official that the sponsor does have that amount of funds in their account. This form represents an obligation on the part of the sponsor to provide the required amount of funds as indicated on the form. Please review the Estimated Cost of Attendance for International Students to determine the amount of funds needed to be written on the Affidavit.

    All documentation and immigration inquiries should be sent to the UNF International Center.

    Immunization Documentation Form and Health Insurance

    All international students are required to submit proof of required vaccinations and health insurance. Please refer to the Office of Medical Compliance with any questions.

    *International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please contact the International Center for more information. 

Program Contacts

Head shot of Katrina Hall

Dr. Katrina Hall
Program Director and Advisor

View Faculty Bio

Email Dr. Hall

Alyssa Elaskari Headshot

Alyssa Elaskari
Coordinator of Graduate Recruitment and Communications

Email Alyssa Elaskari

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Resources

Explore our club, funding opportunities and graduate assistantship information to help you succeed throughout your journey in the Early Childhood Educational Leadership program.
A young teacher smiles while sitting in a preschool classroom.

Education Club

The Education Club is dedicated to connecting future educators and providing hands-on, career-focused resources to support their journey. Through engaging meetings and events, the club creates opportunities for all UNF students interested in pursuing a career in education to learn, grow, and build community.
A teacher sits while reading a book to a group of young students.

T.E.A.C.H.

T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Scholarship Program covers up to 90% of tuition and books for active scholars and provides a per-semester stipend to help cover school-related expenses.
A teacher sits at a desk and talks to a young student.

Graduate Assistantships

Learn more about SCOEHS graduate assistantships: Research (GRA), Teaching (GTA) and Administrative (GAA). With opportunities available to master’s students based on their year of study and program level.
A young teacher smiles while sitting in a preschool classroom.

Education Club

The Education Club is dedicated to connecting future educators and providing hands-on, career-focused resources to support their journey. Through engaging meetings and events, the club creates opportunities for all UNF students interested in pursuing a career in education to learn, grow, and build community.
A teacher sits while reading a book to a group of young students.

T.E.A.C.H.

T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Scholarship Program covers up to 90% of tuition and books for active scholars and provides a per-semester stipend to help cover school-related expenses.
A teacher sits at a desk and talks to a young student.

Graduate Assistantships

Learn more about SCOEHS graduate assistantships: Research (GRA), Teaching (GTA) and Administrative (GAA). With opportunities available to master’s students based on their year of study and program level.