Champlain Adds Early Childhood Education Masters Program

BURLINGTON, VT (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Champlain College will offer a Master's in Early Childhood Education program beginning in Fall 2011, part of a growing list of graduate programs offered by the Burlington-based college.

The Master's in Early Childhood Education (M. Ed.) is designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree and are interested in moving to a higher level teaching position, transitioning into an administrative role, opening their own early childhood program, or becoming a more competitive job candidate through a high level of professional development.

"The Champlain College M. Ed. program will engage students on a deeper level as early educators," explained Champlain College Professor Laurel Bongiorno, program director for the new Master's program. "We are dedicated to developing leaders in the field of Early Childhood Education and in pursuit of that goal, our M.Ed. will offer specializations in both teaching and administration." Bongiorno has taught at Champlain for more than 12 years and is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Education with specialization in Early Childhood.

Champlain also offers traditional undergraduate degrees in Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher, Middle School and Secondary Teacher Education. Champlain uses a project-based approach to learning that is especially tailored to this masters program. It allows students to work independently in their online courses while applying the content to their current positions in the field of early childhood education. The curriculum is geared to connecting students with the early childhood community in their area.

Bongiorno and graduate admissions representative, Katherine Maund, will host online seminars in March to provide prospective students an in-depth look at Champlain's Masters in Early Childhood Education program.

• On Thursday, March 3, an online session geared toward Champlain College alumni will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
• A second session for other interested students is planned for Thursday, March 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Both presentations will offer participants a chance to ask questions.
• To register for an online information session, call (866) 282-7259 or visit www http://www.champlain.edu/Graduate-Studies/Programs/Masters-in-Early-Childhood-Education.html.
  

ABOUT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE:

Since 1878 Champlain College has been educating professionals for successful careers in variety of fields. Champlain has always championed the notion that an exceptional education can only become transformational if it is linked with direct experience - the opportunity to apply new knowledge gained. It is with that thought and practice that Champlain's students, from undergraduate to graduate, have excelled in their academic pursuits and professional careers. Champlain College was among the pioneers in online education, offering online classes since 1993. Today Champlain offers a number of graduate degrees online as well as bachelor's degrees and certificates online. Champlain was named among the top accredited online schools by OEDb.org, the Online Education Database, in 2008 and 2009. To learn more about undergraduate, graduate and online education programs offered at Champlain College, visit www.champlain.edu or call (800)-570-5858.