Early Childhood Education (M.Ed)
Administered by the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Effective Fall 2012
Admission. The following admission requirements, which apply to both the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education program and to the master's program with an Early Childhood Education Certification, must be met in addition to the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies. Undergraduate work need not be in a specific field of study.
An interview and a review of academic credentials are required. Applicants who lack an undergraduate QPA of 3.0 will be admitted on a provisional basis.
Certification Requirements: Gold Packet
- Two recommendations from any of the following persons: undergraduate or graduate faculty, direct-line supervisors, administrators, and other individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic abilities and personal qualities. Recommendation forms are available from the program coordinator for early childhood education.
- Written completion of 20-hours field experience. Forms are available from the program coordinator.
- Written completion of 20-hours participation experience. Forms are available from the program coordinator.
- Written completion of 30-hours of diversity field experience. Forms are available from the program coordinator.
- TB tests are required. Information available from the program coordinator.
- Passing the National Teacher Examination core battery and the specialty area of early childhood education. Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all certification applicants to pass the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) for certification. It is the graduate student's responsibility to register, complete and earn a passing score on the examinations.
Retention Students must maintain a QPA of 3.0 throughout their program. Courses in which a grade of B- or lower is obtained must be repeated with a grade of B or higher. Nine graduate credits may be transferred into the program.
State Police checks (Criminal FBI Fingerprinting, Act 34 and Abuse, Act 151 and Act 24-Self Disclosure) required by the Department of Health and Welfare and the Bureau of Certification must be obtained prior to student teaching in private and public schools, Head Start programs, and day care centers in Pennsylvania.
Graduation The Master of Science in PreK-4 program without Certification consists of 30 semester hours. The Masters of Science in PreK-4 with certification (Level I Certification) consists of 54 semester credit hours. Students must complete 6 semester hours in foundation courses, 18 to 30 semester hours in early childhood education core courses, and 6 semester hours in related studies courses.
Programs of Study
Students seeking a Master of Science in PreK-4 must complete 30 semester hours with a 3.0 QPA. Students seeking a Master of Science in PreK-4 certification must complete 54 semester hours with a QPA of 3.0.
A departmental paper, thesis, comprehensive project, or the comprehensive examination is required for completion of the degree program. Specific guidelines are available from the program coordinator. All papers must be written following the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide. A five chapter format is preferred.
All program requirements must be completed within six years after admission into the program. Students are required to complete their programs within four years after passing their comprehensive exam. Extensions may be granted in certain situations. Students who fail to enroll and complete a course within a two-year period are placed in an inactive file. Inactive students must reapply for admission, retake the comprehensive examination. Courses older than six years will not meet the degree requirements. All deficiencies, tests, if applicable, monetary and academics must be satisfied before the degree can be granted.
Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education Pre K-4 with Certification (54 credits)
Foundation Core (15 credits):
EDFOUND.584 Curriculum Theory, Design, and Development
OR ELEMED.524 Knowledge and Curriculum Design in the Elementary School
EDFOUND.506 Multicultural Education
SECED.530 Curriculum Develop & Instructional Strategies in the Middle & Junior High Schools
PROFSTUD.591 Research in Education or Current Research and Development in ECE
EDFOUND.504 Technology for Teachers
Certification Core (33 CREDITS)
ELEMED.532 Fine Arts and Play in ECE Classrooms
ELEMED.526 Methods and Materials in Science and Mathematics
READING.540 Intro to Teaching of Reading
READING.541 Reading Assessment
ELEMED.537 Methods and Materials in Language Arts and Social Studies
PROFSTUD.501 Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
SPECED.506 Intro to Early Intervention or SPECED.516 Exceptional Individuals
*Practicum or Internship
PROFSTUD.594 English Language Learners
SPECED.557 Linking Assessment and Instruction
SPECED.558 Methods of Instruction
Student Teaching Requirement (6 CREDITS)
ELEMED.594 Student Teaching
Departmental Paper
PECT Requirements
Check with Advisor-PDE updating requirements
PECT Testing
PK-4 Module 1
PK-4 Module 2
PK-4 Module 3
Undergraduate Content Prerequisites
(Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher)
*Blue Jay Practicum is not an option for M.Ed.
Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education Pre K-4 Advanced without Certification (30 credits)
Foundation Core (15 credits):
EDFOUND.584 Curriculum Theory, Design, and Development
OR ELEMED.524 Knowledge and Curriculum Design in the Elementary School
EDFOUND.506 Multicultural Education
EDFOUND.514 Home, School, Community Relationships
PROFSTUD.591 Research in Education or Current Research and Development in ECE
EDFOUND.527 Classroom Management
Certification Core (15 CREDITS)
ELEMED.543 Change Theory in ECE & Elementary Education Settings
ELEMED.544 Professional Dispositions in ECE & Elementary Education
ELEMED.539 Current Topics in Elementary Education
INTSTUDY.584 Special Topics
ELEMED.545 National Board of Prof Teaching Stds Seminar or ELEMED.590 Current Research and
Development in Early Childhood Education