PhD in Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education

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The PhD in Education Program is individualized, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Students may opt to specialize in early childhood and early childhood special education (EC/ECSE) or incorporate coursework within a self-defined interdisciplinary program of study.

Have questions? Attend an information session or contact the specialization representative, Daniel Ferguson.

About the Specialization

Many of the most well-respected educators and policymakers in the world have advanced degrees in early childhood education.

What Will You Learn?

The specialization features coursework and applied internships that will enable you to meet the following standards:

  • Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of significant theory, developments, and practices in culturally, racially, linguistically, ability and socio-economic diverse early childhood education and early childhood special education settings.
  • Candidates will demonstrate the ability to utilize and interpret basic principles and methodologies of interdisciplinary research design and data analysis within the field of early childhood education and early childhood special education settings.
  • Candidates will demonstrate skills as reflective early childhood and early childhood special education practitioners, including demonstration of analytic and integrative thinking.
  • Candidates will demonstrate ability to conduct, report, and defend original research within the field of early childhood education and early childhood special education.

What Our Students Are Saying

As my doctoral journey draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on how much I’ve grown as an educator, scholar, and researcher. My path has been a long and windy one, and very different from what I anticipated when I began my journey. I am so very grateful for the amazing mentors that I have had, the friends I have made, experiences in the classroom and at conferences, and finding my place as a teacher educator. The Early Childhood Education program has prepared me to honor the voices of children and families from diverse backgrounds and to support the growth of the preservice and inservice teachers with whom I will continue to work. The Ph.D. program at Mason has prepared me well to step into the role of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, and I am excited for the future!
~ Erin Geiger, current student
Since I started my PhD program at George Mason, I have met so many people who are like-minded and passionate about their research as well as service to their community. The PhD journey has been full of awakening and growth pain that helped me to break out of my shell to be bigger and stronger. My experience in class and doing GRA work is preparing me to be open-minded and critical to serve the families from marginalized communities and think about equity in the field of education. The feedback that my professors are providing in my life is shaping my worldview and building my character to be humble and professional.
~ Jihyae Choe, current student
The faculty and students I have met and had the pleasure of collaborating with during my time in the PhD in Education program have helped guide me in my goal to bridge research to practice. The mentorship I’ve received has provided me with the confidence to engage in independent research, teaching, and service opportunities within the early childhood and early childhood special education fields.
~ Clarissa Wade, current student

Our Graduates

Sehyun Yun, PhD 2022 

  • Dissertation Title: Cultivating Assessment Knowledge, Perspectives, and Competencies of Early Childhood Education Preservice Teachers 
  • Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd 
  • Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, Ball State University 

Payal Shah, PhD 2021 

  • Dissertation Title: An Exploratory Study: How Early Childhood Preservice Teachers Construct their Understanding of Technology Integration in a Technology-infused Social Studies 
  • Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd 
  • Employment on Graduation: Research Support Manager, University of Miami 

El'Tanya Brown, PhD 2020 

  • Dissertation Title: Not the Woman I Once Was: How Turning Points Shape the Trajectories of Military Mothers Parenting Young Children with Disabilities  
  • Dissertation Chair: Dr. Colleen Vesely  
  • Employment on Graduation: Founder, Kinderjam; Instructor, American University 

Rabaah Alqassem, PhD 2019 

  • Dissertation Title: Early Writing in Saudi Arabian Kindergarten Classrooms: The Role of Teacher Preparation in Developing Young Writers  
  • Dissertation Chair: Dr. Julie Kidd  
  • Employment on Graduation: Princess Naourah bint Abdulrahman University 

Rhode Fernandez, PhD 2019 

  • Dissertation Title: Observational Study of Head Start Teachers' Verbalizations and Their Relationship to the Mediated Learning Experience Rating Scale Scores  
  • Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Susan Burns & Dr. Julie Kidd 
  • Employment on Graduation: Visual Impairments Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools 

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Faculty Specialization Representative

Primary Faculty