The Ph.D./Ed.D. 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 graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) 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 at the time of requesting a program change.
Students awarded the Ed.S. 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 Ed.D. 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 |
| Research | ||
| RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES-7900 | Research Design | 4 |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation | ||
| COMP-7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee based) | 0 |
| DISS-7010 | Dissertation I | 3 |
| DISS-7020 | Dissertation II | 3 |
| DISS-7030 | Dissertation III 1 | 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 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
- 1
Upon completion of the nine required hours of dissertation coursework, candidates must maintain continuous enrollment with DISS-8000 Dissertation Supervision until program completion.
Degree Requirements for Ph.D. 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 |
| Research | ||
| RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES-7800 | Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RES-7900 | Research Design | 4 |
| RES-7620 | Advanced Topics in Statistics | 3 |
| or RES-7710 | Advanced Qualitative Analysis | |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation | ||
| COMP-7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee-based) | 0 |
| DISS-7010 | Dissertation I | 3 |
| DISS-7020 | Dissertation II | 3 |
| DISS-7030 | Dissertation III 1 | 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 |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
Upon completion of the nine required hours of dissertation coursework, candidates must maintain continuous enrollment with DISS-8000 Dissertation Supervision until program completion.
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.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on record the dissertation uploaded into ProQuest.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- 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.