The Final Admission application deadline for Fall 2026 is January 15, 2026. Applications must be complete by this deadline to receive full consideration. 

Join us for the next virtual Open House on January 6th, 2026 at 5:00 PM. To join the virtual Open House, on January 6th, 2026 at 5:00 PM, click the “Join the meeting now” link below.

Microsoft Teams Open House:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 213 428 102 995 7

Passcode: t2ki7f98

Feel free to email Catherine Scott-Little at mcscottL@uncg.edu for further information.

Overview

The program prepares students to assume leadership roles in diverse settings (both education and community-based) that develop and implement programming for young children with and without disabilities, ages birth to five, and their families.

Choose from concentrations in Early Childhood Leadership and Advanced Teaching Licensure or Early Childhood Leadership, Program Administration and Coaching, a NEW concentration designed to prepare students to support professional growth among classroom teachers. 

The Student Experience

  • Fully online, delivered in a synchronous virtual classroom format, and can be completed in as little as two years.
  • Students complete a leadership internship.
  • Experienced and committed faculty from Specialized Education Services and Human Development and Family Studies teach, advise, and mentor students in this innovative interdisciplinary program. 
  • The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program provides scholarships for qualified students in this program. 

AFTER GRADUATION

Upon completion of this program, students will be eligible for careers such as:

  • Early childhood teacher/director
  • Coach, mentor and/or evaluator for early childhood teachers 
  • Early interventionist
  • Inclusion specialist
  • Community college instructor
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Early childhood consultant
  • Family specialist/advocate
  • Development specialist
  • Supervisor/administrator
  • Home-based service provider

Apply to Program

DEADLINE FOR 2026

  • Early Admission: October 1, 2025 
  • Final Deadline: January 15, 2026 
  • Academic Transcripts 
  • Current Resume 
  • Professional statement indicating your interest and rationale for pursuing this emphasis of the M.Ed. 
  • Three letters of recommendation, ideally with at least one from an academic reference 

No GRE test required.
An interview and writing sample will be required of applicants.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, special education or a related field. 
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 receive the strongest consideration. 
  • An interview and writing sample is completed as part of the application review process 
  • An initial teaching licensure (If applying to Leadership & Advanced Teaching Licensure Concentration) 

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a participating institution in both the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and North Carolina’s portal agency, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements North Carolina (SARA NC). Participation in SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders.

See here for further information about states in which UNCG is authorized to offer on-line education.

Child Care Education Program teacher interacts with her students

Class Type

  • Online
  • Synchronous

Plan of Study

Dr. Catherine Scott-little

Catherine Scott-Little
mcscottl@uncg.edu

Birth-KindergarTen Graduate
Co-Director