With 28 states now requiring lead teachers to have specialized training, the quality standards of state-funded pre-kindergarten programs have increased substantially in recent years. Capella's master's degree specialization in Early Childhood Education provides you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of learning theories or focus on special education or supervisory skills. Elective course work is designed to prepare teachers to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. The curriculum includes course work in such topics as child psychology, classroom management, the early childhood learning environment, family engagement, and strategies for eliminating achievement gaps. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers who want to teach early childhood education in a higher education institution, or who have a passion for education at the early stages of development and want to pursue specialized preparation in that area.