The PhD/EdD program in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide candidates with a strong background in research, theory, issues, policies, advocacy and practical experiences in early childhood. Our graduates are prepared as faculty and leaders to design and implement early childhood educational programs in a variety of settings, including: public and private schools and universities, corporate child centers, and for- and nonprofit early childhood community-based centers. The program aligns to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Advanced Standards. The program will enable candidates to:
- Understand and promote theoretical and evidence-based foundations of early childhood development and educational learning processes.
- Build and engage in early childhood practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and valuing of differences and relationships in families, communities and society.
- Use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan, evaluate and communicate effective practices in early childhood curriculum and program evaluation.
- Use developmentally effective instructional approaches that are research-based and grounded in theoretical frameworks to support student learning and family connections.
- Use content knowledge that fosters an understanding of early childhood education through research and analysis skills that will further and support current knowledge across academic disciplines.
- Engage in and view professional learning and leadership in advocacy, administration and organization of early childhood programs as a career-long effort and responsibility.
- Participate in a variety of field experiences to further develop knowledge, skills and professional dispositions necessary to promote the development and learning of young children across the entire developmental period of early childhood education.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study for in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Students awarded the EdS in Leadership (non-licensure) at CUC are not eligible for admission to this doctoral program at CUC.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to admission requirements, two years of teaching, child care or related experience acquired prior to completion of the doctoral program. Employer documentation of this experience must be included on the application for Graduate Admission or within a letter of recommendation.
Degree Requirements for EdD Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Program Core | ||
| EDL-7140 | Organizational Change (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL-7210 | Policy Analysis (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL-7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders | 3 |
| FPR-7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership | 3 |
| Early Childhood Specialization Courses | ||
| ECE-7010 | Child Development and the Educational Process | 3 |
| ECE-7020 | The Leadership/Supervision of Early Childhood Centers and Programs | 3 |
| ECE-7030 | Trends, Issues and Research in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences Affecting Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ECE-7050 | Models of Assessment | 3 |
| ECE-7060 | Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7070 | Language, Literacy and Reading Instruction in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7080 | Legal Issues in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7090 | Family and Community Relationships and Advocacy | 3 |
| ECE-7110 | Examination and Synthesis of Practical Needs within the Field of ECE | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research | ||
| RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES-7910 | Research Design I | 3 |
| RES-7920 | Research Design II | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation 1 | ||
| COMP-7010 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| DISS-7011 | Dissertation Proposal I | 3 |
| DISS-7012 | Dissertation Proposal II | 3 |
| DISS-8010 | Dissertation Completion (first 8-week session) | 0 |
| DISS-8011 | Dissertation Completion (second 8-week session) | 0 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 61 | |
- 1
Degree Requirements for PhD Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Program Core | ||
| EDL-7140 | Organizational Change (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL-7210 | Policy Analysis (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL-7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders | 3 |
| FPR-7300 | Philosophy of Scientific Knowledge | 3 |
| Early Childhood Specialization | ||
| ECE-7010 | Child Development and the Educational Process | 3 |
| ECE-7020 | The Leadership/Supervision of Early Childhood Centers and Programs | 3 |
| ECE-7030 | Trends, Issues and Research in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences Affecting Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ECE-7050 | Models of Assessment | 3 |
| ECE-7060 | Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7070 | Language, Literacy and Reading Instruction in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7080 | Legal Issues in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-7090 | Family and Community Relationships and Advocacy | 3 |
| ECE-7110 | Examination and Synthesis of Practical Needs within the Field of ECE | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research | ||
| RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES-7800 | Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RES-7620 | Advanced Topics in Statistics | 3 |
| or RES-7710 | Advanced Qualitative Analysis | |
| RES-7910 | Research Design I | 3 |
| RES-7920 | Research Design II | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation 1 | ||
| COMP-7010 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| DISS-7011 | Dissertation Proposal I | 3 |
| DISS-7012 | Dissertation Proposal II | 3 |
| DISS-8010 | Dissertation Completion (first 8-week session) | 0 |
| DISS-8011 | Dissertation Completion (second 8-week session) | 0 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 67 | |
Doctoral Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a doctoral graduate student in this program.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for this degree and program,
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Successfully defend the dissertation or satisfy the designated culminating experience.
- Have on record the dissertation uploaded into ProQuest.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.