The Early Childhood Program frequently offers cohort programs for students in locations such as Bristol, Kingsport, Greeneville, etc. Cohorts typically begin during the Summer Semester and are created when there are enough students in a given location interested in securing a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

The advantages of this program for the licensed teacher is that there is a cohort group of fellow students who are teachers taking classes together and providing support for each other, theories can be applied in student’s own classrooms, there is a progression of classroom material that adapts to the school year, and there are opportunities for action research with your own classroom.

This cohort is specifically designed for individuals who are already certified in early childhood but who are interested in a master’s degree that can be obtained during a 15-month time period.

Students will be required to enroll in 12 credit hours during the Summer session their program begins, six credit hours during the Fall session, seven credit hours during the Spring session, and 12 credit hours during their final Summer session.

The course requirements are the same as those required for the M.Ed. Advanced Degree (Non-Thesis Option) in Early Childhood, but there are usually more limited elective offerings at cohort locations.

To determine whether a cohort is being formed in your area, or to express interest in starting a cohort, please contact Dr. Laurelle Phillips, Early Childhood Graduate Coordinator, at 423-439-7903 or at phillipl@etsu.edu.