Master of Education in
Early Childhood and Learning Innovation
The Master of Education in Early Childhood and Learning Innovation (MEd-ECLI) is a professional graduate degree program that prepares educators, leaders, and advocates to design, implement, and evaluate innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based learning experiences for young children from birth to age eight. Grounded in developmental science, early childhood education, and learning innovation, the program develops expertise in child development, curriculum and learning design, assessment and intervention, educational leadership, and collaborative partnerships. Through authentic field-based experiences and interdisciplinary inquiry, graduates become reflective practitioners and learning innovators who advance quality, inclusion, and continuous improvement in diverse early childhood education settings.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of child development, learning sciences, and socio-cultural contexts to support children’s learning and well-being.
- Design, implement, and evaluate innovative, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate curricula and learning experiences for diverse early childhood settings.
- Utilize assessment, intervention, and progress-monitoring practices to support inclusive learning and improve outcomes for young children.
- Lead collaborative partnerships among families, schools, communities, and interdisciplinary professionals to support children’s development and learning.
- Demonstrate ethical leadership, advocacy, and reflective practice in promoting quality, inclusive, and sustainable early childhood education.
Key Competencies Developed
By the end of the program, graduates will develop the following competencies:
Designing innovative, learner-centered, and developmentally appropriate curricula and learning experiences using principles of curriculum design, instructional design, Universal Design for Learning, and design thinking.
Using research, assessment data, and systematic inquiry to evaluate learning needs, inform instructional decisions, and improve educational practice.
Promoting children’s rights, inclusion, equity, and sustainable educational practices through ethical leadership and community engagement.
Applying developmental science, socio-cultural perspectives, neuroscience-informed pedagogy, and trauma-informed approaches to support children’s holistic growth and learning.
Conducting functional assessments, interpreting data, developing intervention plans, monitoring progress, and supporting diverse learners through inclusive and evidence-based approaches.
Leading learning communities, fostering professional collaboration, engaging families, and working effectively with interdisciplinary teams and community partners.
These competencies can be assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Curriculum innovation projects and learning design portfolios
- Case analyses and child development studies
- Functional assessment and intervention planning projects
- Data interpretation and progress-monitoring tasks
- Leadership and program improvement plans
- Family and community partnership projects
- Advocacy campaigns and policy analyses
- Demonstration teaching and professional simulations
- Reflective journals and professional portfolios
Workplace-based innovation projects and capstone presentations
Total Program Units: 34 units
CHED Center for Excellence
The Department of Early Childhood Education is a designated Center for Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). More Information >
The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed by this program:
The special project is practice-based where the student applies learned understandings, concepts, values, competencies, and skills on Special Education. Each student may choose to work on a project, or an action research related to the students’ field of specialization. All these with the guidance of a professor.
Potential Careers
Graduates of the MEd-ECLI program may work as:
- Early Childhood Education Specialist
- Early Childhood Curriculum Designer or Consultant
- Early Childhood Learning Innovation Specialist
- Preschool, Child Development Center, or Early Learning Program Director
- Early Childhood Education Specialist for NGOs, Foundations, and Government Agencies
- Inclusive Education Coordinator
- Early Intervention Program Coordinator
- Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
- Teacher Mentor, Instructional Coach, or Professional Development Specialist
- Educational Research and Program Evaluation Officer
- Child Development and Learning Consultant
- Higher Education Faculty in Early Childhood Education
Policy and Advocacy Officer for Children and Families
CURRICULUM SUMMARY
Courses | Units |
Core Courses | 12 |
MECL 6001 Curriculum Design for Learning Innovation MECL 6002 Instructional Design for Inclusive and Innovative Learning MECL 6003 Educational Advocacy MECL 7701 Research Methods and Data Analysis in Education | |
Specialization Courses | 15 |
MEEC 7301 The Developing Child in the Socio-Cultural Context MEEC 7302 Curriculum Design and Evidence-Based Practice in Early Childhood Education MEEC 7303 Leadership in Early Childhood Education MESN 7302 Assessment in Special and Inclusive Education MESN 7305 Collaboration, Advocacy, and Family-School Partnerships | |
MC Required Course | 1 |
MSAA 6000 Miriam Spirituality and Advocacy | |
MEEC 7900 Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Special Project: Professional Laboratory Experience in Early Childhood Education and Learning Innovation | 6 |
MEEC 7998 Capstone Proposal / Internship | |
MEEC 7999 Final Capstone Presentation / Internship Learning Portfolio | |
Total Number of Units | 34 |
