ECIFS at a Glance

Degree

Master of Education for Experienced Teachers  in Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support

Program Benefits
  • Complete a part-time, hyflex program designed for working professionals across the state
  • Examine and apply evidence-informed, family-centered practices
  • Gain real-world experience through an internship in inclusive early childhood settings
  • Learn alongside a service-driven cohort of professionals
  • Qualify for initial or add-on licensure, based on existing credentials
  • Strengthen your professional portfolio with assignments aligned to National Board Certification
Program Length

Two Years

Credit Hours

30-34

Estimated Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Financial Aid

Licensure

Students who complete the program may be eligible for North Carolina Birth–Kindergarten Advanced or Add-On licensure, depending on their existing credentials; those without a current Birth–Kindergarten license may enroll but are not eligible for licensure upon graduation.

Licensure
Accreditation

The Master of Education for Experienced Teachers (MEdX) program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). 

Best For

Experienced early learning professionals — licensed or non-licensed — dedicated to building high-quality learning environments, providing intentional support to children and families, and making a lasting impact in their communities.

Academic Programs

Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support (ECIFS)

About the Program
Curriculum & Courses
Licensure
Career Preparation
Tuition & Financial Aid
Program Faculty & Staff
How to Apply & Deadlines
Contact Us

I could still teach full-time while furthering my education, which isn’t something that any program provides. I have been able to cultivate the tools necessary to support my students and their families. I am a more confident and effective communicator, which helps my students get the care and support they need. 

Shahlaa Abugroun, MEdX/ECIFS graduate

Seeking to Improve Early Childhood Education

Delivering HyFlex access to evidence-based, family-focused practices for educators of our youngest learners

Jessica Amsbary, Ph.D., leads the UNC School of Education’s part-time Master of Education for Experienced Teachers program, with a specialty area in Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support. The program, which is designed for working professional educators, moved to HyFlex — hybrid, flexible — format in 2021, enabling students from anywhere in North Carolina to…

Robert Carr
Doctoral student Robert Carr leads study describing importance of early high-quality teacher-child interactions

Children who experience higher-quality classroom environments during pre-K and kindergarten have better language, literacy and math skills at the end of kindergarten. These findings from a study led by doctoral student Robert Carr, along with researchers at the FPG Child Development Institute, were recently published in the journal Early Childhood Research Quarterly. Carr’s study used…

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Impact Study cover image
Statewide evaluation finds benefits for students who participated in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Program

PHILADELPHIA (December 14, 2020) – A new report released today is the first independent, statewide evaluation of the impact of the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Program (PA PKC) on children’s early learning and kindergarten readiness. Conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with support from the William Penn Foundation, the evaluation…