Personalize your HGSE Ed.M. program by choosing a concentration in Early Childhood.
The Early Childhood (EC) Concentration prepares you for work in roles across the early childhood education sector — from early childhood teachers to preschool directors, from curriculum developers to tech entrepreneurs, from foundation program officers to policy analysts, and from counselors to advocates. You and your fellow cohort members can select a core course from topics that include a range of child development domains (language and literacy, social-emotional learning, etc.), early childhood policy (in domestic and global contexts), and educator development and support. In addition, you will participate in a seminar where you can interact with experienced professionals and develop opportunities to build your network for important long-term professional action.
“From early childhood courses to apprenticeships at the Saul Zaentz Academy for Professional Learning to research opportunities through the Harvard Early Learning Study, HGSE has organized around the notion that the years before formal schooling are crucial. Students in this Concentration will participate in, and benefit from, this commitment and will become part of a strong network of professionals who are contributing to today’s ambitious early education agenda.”
Stephanie Jones and Nonie Lesaux, Faculty Co-Chairs
Concentration Co-Chairs
Students will work closely with faculty associated with their area of study, but students can also work with and take courses with faculty throughout HGSE and Harvard. The faculty co-chairs for Early Childhood are below. View our faculty directory for a full list of HGSE faculty.
Cohort and Community
As you explore the EC Concentration, you will meet and collaborate with fellow cohort members who share a commitment to early childhood education research, practice, and policy. Through interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds, networking opportunities, and activities drawn from throughout the university, you will build a robust and vibrant community of next-generation scholars and practitioners, dedicated to transforming the field of education.
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Program Pages
Admissions Information
More information about our admissions application requirements and instructions, tuition and financial aid, and answers to frequently asked questions is available on our website. If you have additional admissions-related questions, please contact gseadmissions@harvard.edu.