Early Childhood and Elementary Education (MEd)

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The Master of Education in Early Childhood Elementary Education PreK-4 and/or initial certification programs are designed to prepare prospective early childhood and elementary teachers for classrooms of young children. Prospective teachers who complete the initial certification program will enter the elementary education field having met all requirements for initial certification by PDE. Teacher candidates will gain advanced understanding of the theories and research that are the foundation for planning, implementing, and assessing high quality learning of students.

MEd Core

ED - 501 Educational Research Credits: 3
ED - 504 Philosophy and Ethics in Education Credits: 3
ED - 528 Data Driven Assessment and Instruction Credits: 3
ED - 600 Critical Issues and Research Seminar Credits: 3

ED 600 Requirements

Students must complete ED 501 and 24 credits in the program before registering for ED 600. A grade of B- or better is required in ED 501 in order to enroll in ED 600. A grade of B or better in the capstone course ED 600 is required for graduation in addition to faculty committee review and approval of the project. ED 600 must be taken within two semesters after the successful completion of ED 501. Failure to do so will require the retaking of ED 501. The topic of focus in ED 600 must reflect the program of study or certification of the degree candidate.

Educational Foundations

(9 credits for certification and degree)

ED - 500 Foundations of Education Credits: 3
EE - 501 Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ED - 502 Advanced Psychology of Instruction Credits: 3

Accommodations and Adaptations

(9 credits for certification and degree)

ED - 515 Foundations of English Language Learner Education Credits: 3
SE - 500 Foundations of Special Education Credits: 3
SE - 522 Remedial Techniques in Reading and Writing Credits: 3
SE - 526 Content Access for Students with Learning Differences Credits: 3

Major Courses

(37 credits for certification)

EE - 512 Emergent Language and Literacy PreK-4 Credits: 3
EE - 5220 ECEE Clinical Field Practicum - Stage 1 & 2 Credits: 1 (90 hours)
EE - 515 Teaching Social Studies Standards ECEE Credits: 3
EE - 516 Teaching Arts, Health and P.E. Standards ECEE PreK-4 Credits: 3
EE - 525 ECEE Clinical Field Practicum Credits: 3
EE - 535 Early Childhood Education Instructional Design and Pedagogy Credits: 3
EE - 536 Teaching Science and Technology Standards ECEE Credits: 3
EE - 546 Teaching Mathematics Standards ECEE PreK-4 Credits: 3
EE - 550 Pre-Service Teaching in ECEE: Professionalism and Classroom Environment Credits: 6
EE - 551 Pre-Service Teaching in ECEE: Planning and Instruction Credits: 6

The final semester

The final semester of the program for all teacher candidates is deemed the residency semester, meaning that the teacher candidate must commit to daytime, full-time study in order to complete field requirements, advanced pedagogy, and 14 weeks of student teaching in public and private schools in Early Childhood Elementary Education PreK-4.

The program may be designed to be certification-only or a master’s program in education. The program advisor will design a plan of study customized to each future teacher’s needs and goals.