Integrated Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)

The Integrated Early Childhood Education program is for students who want to serve infants, toddlers, and young children (birth through kindergarten) with a wide range of needs, in home, community, and school settings.

campus

Quick Links

Master’s in Integrated Early Childhood Education at a Glance

  • Research-based M.Ed. preparing you to support children from birth through kindergarten
  • Hands-on field experiences in a variety of early childhood settings
  • Licensure pathways and optional ABA specialization
  • Classes taught by expert faculty in integrated early childhood education

What is the Master’s in Integrated Early Childhood Education at Peabody College?

Integrated Early Childhood Education (IECE) provides students opportunities to become expert service providers and effective leaders for young children with and without disabilities. We crafted this innovative, collaborative program by combining content in the areas of early childhood education and development and early childhood special education/early intervention. The IECE program offers individualized preparation for highly qualified students who have completed undergraduate programs in related areas so that they gain the expertise and experience required to become leaders in the field.

Master’s in Integrated Early Childhood Education Program Overview

Through our licensure and endorsement pathways, our graduates go on to serve as early childhood educators, working with infants, toddlers, and young children with a wide range of needs in home, community, and school settings across the country.  Students may also apply to complete an optional specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Our training emphasizes data-based instruction and decision-making, along with evidence-based practices, to improve learning outcomes for young children with and without disabilities across a variety of settings. In addition to course work and field experiences, our students are mentored by expert faculty on research projects to develop future best practices for supporting young children.

Integrated Early Childhood Education master’s program highlights:

  • 36–39 credit hour program (48–51 with ABA add-on)
  • Licensure and endorsement pathways for early childhood education
  • Hands-on field experiences in inclusive settings
  • Faculty-led research in early childhood and early childhood special education
  • Training centers focused on data-based instruction, decision-making and evidence-based practices
  • Opportunities to improve academic, social and communication outcomes for children with disabilities
  • Tuition and stipend support available

Applying to the M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education

Faculty Admission Representative: Jennifer Ledford
Admissions Coordinator: Katherine Prioletti
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 36-39 credit hours (48-51 credit hours with ABA add-on)

Application Deadlines

  • Priority Decision 1

    December 1*

  • Priority Decision 2

    January 3

  • Rolling Decision

    After January 3

*For more information on application dates and requirements, and the benefits of Priority Decision, see the How to Apply page.

Request Information

M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education Coursework

  • Required Courses

    Core Courses

    • SPED 7000 Education and Psychology of Exceptional Learners
    • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behaviors
    • SPED 8810 Introduction to Single Case Research

    IEC Courses

    • EDUC 6090 Integrated Early Childhood Curriculum
    • EDUC 6110 Learning Ecologies I: Equity, Access, and Inclusion in Context
    • SPEDE 7100 Collaborating with Families of Young Children
    • SPEDE 7400 Instruction for Young Learners
    • SPEDE 7450 Screening and Assessment of Young Learners
    • SPEDE 7610 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Young Learners
    • SPEDE 7800 Speech and Language for Exceptional Learners

    Field Experiences

    • SPEDE 7951 Fieldwork in Integrated Early Childhood Education
    • SPEDE 7953 Advanced Fieldwork in Early Childhood Special Education
    • SPEDE 7991 Extended Student Teaching for Graduate Candidates

    Elective Courses

    • SLP 5323 Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • SPEDE 7960 Reading and Research in Special Education (Independent studies)
    • SPED 7990 Master's Thesis in Special Education
    • SPED 7989 Specialty Project in Special Education

Career Opportunities in Integrated Early Childhood Education

Graduates of this program go into teaching, early intervention, consultant, and leadership positions in home, school, and community settings. Most of our students receive tuition and stipend support for a significant portion of their program of study.

Early childhood education career outcomes:

  • Pre-kindergarten teacher
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Head Start teacher
  • Early childhood special education teacher
  • Early interventionist
  • Early childhood behavioral consultant
  • Behavior analyst (with ABA add-on)

Integrated Early Childhood Education Program FAQs

  • Is a master’s in early childhood education worth it?

    Yes—the M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education equips you with research-based strategies, hands-on experience, and licensure pathways, helping you make a meaningful impact on children’s learning and development while advancing your career potential.

  • What ages and settings does the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education prepare me to work with?

    The program trains students to serve infants, toddlers and young children (birth through kindergarten) in home, community and school settings, including inclusive classrooms.

  • Is there an option to earn an applied behavior analysis certification?

    Students may apply to complete the ABA training program to receive a specialization, enhancing career opportunities as a behavior analyst or consultant.

  • Can I earn licensure through this program?

    Yes. The program includes licensure and endorsement pathways for early childhood education, preparing graduates to teach in various educational settings.

  • How long is the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education?

    The program requires 36–39 credit hours. Students completing the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) specialization take 48–51 credit hours.

  • Do I need a background in early childhood education to apply?

    Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in early childhood education, special education, or a related field. Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required.

  • What special education career opportunities are available after graduation?

    Graduates pursue roles such as pre-kindergarten teacher, kindergarten teacher, Head Start teacher, early childhood special education teacher, early interventionist, early childhood behavioral consultant, or behavior analyst (with ABA specialization).

Funding and Scholarships

Through college scholarships, research grants, and a fellowship program with the Susan Gray School students may receive partial tuition remission, as well as stipend support. Some funding may be available for training via the Office of Special Education Programs. No additional application is needed. All scholars will be considered for these funds during the admissions application review.

  • Teacher Pathway Scholarship

    The Teacher Pathway scholarship guarantees a minimum 30 percent scholarship to all admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20 percent scholarship for teacher leadership programs (eligible programs listed below). This guaranteed funding has been put in place in order to

    • broaden access to high-quality graduate education for individuals hoping to enter the teaching profession, and
    • make a commitment to increasing the teacher workforce, particularly in Tennessee.

    Eligible Programs

    Initial Licensure Programs (30% minimum scholarship)

    • Secondary Education
    • Elementary Education
    • Multilingual Education
    • Integrated Early Childhood Education
    • Special Education

    Advanced Programs (30% minimum scholarship)

    • Human Development Counseling (School Counseling track only)
    • Reading Education

    Teacher Leadership Programs (20% minimum scholarship)

    • K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy (Ed.D)

    Scholarship cannot be combined with other Peabody scholarships; if a student is eligible for multiple awards, the larger amount will be granted. Students who accept grant-funded positions with tuition coverage and those who opt out of merit aid consideration are excluded from the scholarship.

Research Labs

Faculty

    No matches