在伊利诺伊州和全国各地，随着研究表明早年的教育机会对塑造未来的学习成果具有至关重要的影响，对幼儿教育的重视程度继续提高。教育学院致力于培养幼儿教育的领导者和特殊的教育专家，为在芝加哥社区及其他地区的学习提供机会。MEd早期儿童教育计划的重点是教育专业人员，他们致力于在各种环境中与幼儿及其家庭一起工作。该计划为学生提供了获得伊利诺伊州专业教育工作者执照（PEL）的机会，并获得了儿童早期教育和儿童早期特殊教育的认可，伊利诺伊州网关5级儿童早期教育证书和/或伊利诺伊州早期干预证书。
Making an impact that lasts a lifetime for young learners and their families. The foundation for lifelong learning is laid during the first few years of a child's life. Ninety percent of a child's brain growth occurs before Kindergarten. Early childhood educators bear a huge responsibility in supporting early development and learning as well as a child's academic, social economic and health trajectory.<br><br>UIC's master's program in Early Childhood Education reflects the most recent scholarly advances about cultural and contextual nature of children's learning, while also responding to the needs of the Chicagoland community. The program was the first in the state of Illinois to prepare teachers to work with all young children regardless of ability, and is today still one of very few that offer blended curriculum in early childhood and early childhood special education.<br><br>The program educates professionals dedicated to working with young children and their families across a wide range of settings. During the program, students have the opportunity to earn an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with endorsements in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, the Illinois Gateways Level 5 Early Childhood Education credential, and/or the Illinois Early Intervention credential.