The earliest years of learning impact everything that follows, and educational leaders play a pivotal role in that development. Through the Early Childhood concentration within the online EdD in Instructional Systems and Learning Sciences program, you can oversee efforts to improve how young children are taught and supported in communities nationwide.
Online EdD in Instructional Systems and Learning Sciences – Early Childhood
Focus your doctoral studies on the youngest learners with coursework in early childhood development, curriculum, and research. You'll graduate ready to lead programs, shape policy, or teach at the university level in early childhood education.
With this concentration, Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) deepens your understanding of research and best practices for teaching young children in urban and rural settings. Take your education to the highest level and become a leader who can drive meaningful change in early childhood education.
Application Deadline11/30/26
Start Date1/11/27
Online
Modality
As few as 3.5 years
Duration
61
Credit Hours
$483 per Credit
In-State Tuition
Online
Modality
As few as 3.5 years
Duration
61
Credit Hours
$483 per Credit
In-State Tuition
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Earn Your EdD Degree and Transform Early Childhood Education
Transfer up to 12 credit hours from another EdD program or up to 30 credit hours from an AUM EdS program
Aligns with the standards established by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Ranked among the top public schools and best colleges for veterans by U.S. News & World Report1
Named one of the top 10 schools by Military Friendly® for 2026–20272
Each term lasts 16 weeks
CURRICULUM
Lead Efforts To Deliver Effective Early Childhood Education
AUM's Early Childhood concentration equips you with the tools to make a difference in the lives of young learners. You'll expand your research skills, explore methods for evaluating teaching practices, and apply what you've learned during hands-on practicum experiences. Dedicated faculty provide valuable mentorship throughout the online program, drawing from their professional backgrounds to help you succeed as an early childhood education leader.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
This course assists students to develop an understanding of the qualitative research paradigm. Specifically, students will acquire skills in qualitative research design. Students will learn how to assess the quality/validity of qualitative research. The political context and philosophical issues associated with qualitative research also are emphasized. The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of theoretical frameworks guiding qualitative research.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
This course provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of educational statistics to perform quantitative statistical analyses associated with real-world research problems. Students will study and apply research study designs that examine relationships between variables, data collection, analysis, and reporting of quantitative data.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
This course is designed to allow students to apply basic methods of descriptive and inferential analysis in educational settings focused on t-tests, between and within-subjects ANOVA, mixed ANOVAs, and hierarchical designs.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Principles of qualitative research design, collection, and analysis. Develop a qualitative research study with focus on data collection, analysis, and reporting. Required of students completing the Doctorate of Education program with emphasis on qualitative research.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A research course designed to complete article 1 and plan for articles 2 and 3 for the dissertation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A research course designed to plan for and formulate research questions, evaluate research design, conduct the review of literature, and formulate the research methodology for the dissertation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 1
An orientation course to the dissertation courses and processes for completion of the doctorate in Education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A research course designed to plan for and successfully defend the dissertation proposal; complete an IRB proposal and gain approval; collect data, analyze data and communicate findings; select journal for article 1 of the 3-article dissertation.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A research course designed to complete articles 2 and 3, Chapter 5, and back matter for the dissertation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 6
Clinical experiences for advanced education students in applying knowledge required in previous courses. Enrollment is limited to Ed.S. and Ed.D. students.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A study of theoretical frameworks, concepts and designs in qualitative research. Includes an overview of historical and current issues. Field experiences and research initiated. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
This course is designed to embrace students’ comprehension of urban/rural schooling with particular attention to the following: 1) relationship between the urban context and educational policies and practices in urban/rural schools; 2) along with a service learning component in urban/rural schools, the historical, socioeconomics, and political factors influencing urban education; and 3) the distribution of opportunity in cities and their schools; and effective pedagogical and organizational practices that close the achievement gap, including multicultural education, the development of positive school cultures and the use of community service and resources.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
A basic research course designed to evaluate research design, methods and experimentation in education and related areas.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Methods, procedures and evaluative instruments for determining teaching effectiveness, pupil learning, and attainment of educational goals in cognitive, psychomotor and affective areas. May be taught concurrently with FNDS 4800.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on research into trends within the field of early childhood science education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on research into trends within the field of study.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on research into trends within the field of study.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on research into trends within the field of study.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing quantitative research dealing with teaching methods and strategies within the field of study.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Quantitative Research in Language Arts. Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing quantitative research dealing with teaching methods and strategies of early childhood language arts education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing quantitative research dealing with teaching methods and strategies of early childhood mathematics education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing quantitative research dealing with teaching methods and strategies within the field of study.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing qualitative research dealing with curriculum trends, issues, and problems in early childhood language arts education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Qualitative Research in Mathematics. Review, analysis, and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing qualitative research dealing with curriculum trends, issues, and problems in early childhood mathematics education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis and interpretation of available research with emphasis on reading, interpreting, and designing qualitative research dealing with curriculum trends, issues, and problems in elementary social studies education. Prerequisite: ECEL 7553.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis and interpretation of research leading to development and implementation of a quantitative or qualitative research study in early childhood language arts.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Current Issues & Trends in Social Studies. Review, analysis and interpretation of research leading to development and implementation of a quantitative or qualitative research study in early childhood social studies education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Current Issues & Trends in Mathematics. Review, analysis and interpretation of research leading to development and implementation of a quantitative or qualitative research study in early childhood mathematics education.
Duration: 16 WeeksCredit Hours: 3
Review, analysis and interpretation of research leading to development and implementation of quantitative or qualitative research study in elementary science. Prerequisite: ELEM 7544.
ADMISSIONS
Begin Your Journey to AUM
Online Application
Official Transcripts
3.25 GPA
AUM offers a straightforward admission process for the EdD in Instructional Systems and Learning Sciences – Early Childhood program. We make it easier to get started with rolling admissions and dedicated support. To connect with our enrollment team, request information today.
Cost reflects tuition only, does not include fees.
Military Benefits
Auburn University at Montgomery is proud to support the educational goals of military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, guardsmen, and their families. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, and Military Friendly® ranked us among the Top 10 schools for 2023-2024. Moreover, our Veteran and Military Resource Center offers an array of resources for fostering a smooth admissions process and online student experience.
Financial Aid Opportunities
At AUM, we strive to make your online degree program as affordable as possible, with cost-effective tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA® form to determine your financial aid eligibility — the school code for Auburn University at Montgomery is 008310.
A Quality Experience for Online Learners
Earn your degree online from Auburn University at Montgomery to experience a quality education with the flexibility to succeed in class and your career. You can complete your coursework using your laptop or mobile device with opportunities to study when and where it's convenient.
- Academic support: Access online advising and tutoring
- Career services: Prepare to succeed after graduation
- Help desk: Get technical assistance for your program
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AUM accepts applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. "Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings." Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings
- Military Friendly®. "Auburn University at Montgomery." Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/school-profile/?sid=88