College of Education

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Option: Classroom Instruction with initial P-3 certification

Coordinator: Dr. Polly Ashelman
Hennings Hall, Room 414
(908) 737-3785/3780
pashelma@kean.edu

The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Classroom Instruction Option with Initial P-3 Certification leads to certification and a master’s degree for liberal arts graduates seeking to become teachers at the pre-school through third grade (P-3) level. Students who successfully complete Level I are eligible for Provisional Teaching Certification.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the university’s admission requirements:

A baccalaureate degree
Completion of a liberal arts major
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75
Competency in oral and written English communication as evidenced in a departmental interview with a writing sample
Two letters of recommendation
Submission of satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam
Students must document sufficient experience in the field or may complete additional hours (minimum of 40 hours) during Level I of the program prior to student teaching.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Development of a teaching portfolio
24 credits required for certification
45 credits required for the degree
Comprehensive examination
Two semester (6 credits) advanced seminar

REQUIRED COURSES

Level I: 24 credits

EC 5000 Foundations of Early Childhood and Family Studies 3
EC 5100 Language, Reading and Thought in the Young Child: Theory and Practice 3
EC 5230 Developmental Theories for Teachingin Early Childhood and Family Studies 3
EC 5275 Integrated Curriculum Development 3
EC 5320 Creating Partnerships with Families 3
EC 5500 Integrating Technology into the Early Childhood Curriculum 3
EC 5565 Teaching Practicum and Seminar 6

Note: Certification will be recommended at the completion of Level I

Level II: 15 credits

EC 5120 Supporting Emergent Literacy at Home and at School 3
EC 5250 Science for Early Childhood Teachers 3
EC 5260 Research in Early Childhood and Family Studies 3
EC 5290 Mathematics for Early Childhood Teachers 3
EC 5270 Teaching in a Pluralistic Society:
Pre-K through 3rd Grade 3

Note: Comps require 9 credits at Level II including EC 5260. Comps are required to advance to Level III.

Level III: 6 credits

EC 5598-5599 Advanced Seminar in Early Childhood and Family Studies I & II 6

Total 45 Credits

M.A. awarded at the conclusion of Level III