Early Childhood Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Carol Donnelly
Phone:  508 929-8667
Email: cdonnelly@worcester.edu

The Master of Education, Concentration in Early Childhood  Education, will provide students with an in depth knowledge and understanding of the practical applications of the content, pedagogy, curriculum, and assessments used in early childhood programs from Birth through Age 8.  Students enrolled in this program also will examine issues of diversity and equity and incorporate elements of developmentally appropriate practice.   During the second half of the program students will engage in an action research project designed to address a current problem of practice in an early childhood setting. 

The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is designed for students who possess the Initial License or its equivalent or for students who wish to enhance competence within an existing career in ages Birth through Age 8. For students who possess the Initial license, the program meets the requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Education for a Teacher of Early Childhood Education (P-2) and can be used toward the professional teaching license. (This program will not lead to an initial license in early childhood education from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). 

(34 credits total)

Prerequisites: Initial License or its equivalent in early childhood  education; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and existing career or experience in an early childhood setting.

Note: Teachers in the field of Early Childhood Education are certified in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by two licensing agencies. Public school teachers in preschool through grade two are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Teachers who teach at the birth through age eight level in private and Head Start programs are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. It is possible for students to complete many or all of the requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care for certification as Preschool Teacher, Preschool Lead Teacher, or Director I, Director II.

Items Needed to Apply:

• Online application found at www.worcester.edu/apply
• Essay explaining reason for pursuing this degree program
• Application fee
• Two professional references
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcript evaluation for any transcript from outside the United States
• An English language proficiency test if the student’s academic background is not in English

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

The program consists of the following courses:

Design, implement and evaluate curriculum and instruction and assessment that promote children’s development and learning (NAEYC** 1, 3, 4, EEC 1, 5, 6, 7, DESE 1)

Identify, apply, and critique developmentally appropriate technology and interactive media that promote learning and development for individual children. (NAEYC** 1, 3, 4, EEC 1, 5, 6, 7, DESE 1)

Establish a positive social context for learning, provide appropriate behavioral supports; and employ effective instructional strategies, to meet the needs of diverse learners. (NAEYC 1, 3, 6, EEC 2, 7 DESE 2)

Articulate how children and families differ in their perspectives and approaches to learning and create effective means of partnering with families. (NAECY 2, 4, EEC 3 DESE 3)

Engage in reflective practice and continually evaluate and improve how their actions affect children, parents, and other professionals in the learning community; and apply reflective practice to the role of practitioner-researcher in action research. (NAEYC 6, EEC 8, DESE 4)