Master of Education—Early Childhood Education
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.
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
The program consists of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements | (10 credits) | |
| ED-981 | Advanced Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED-982 | Research in Education | 3 |
| ED-993 | Seminar: Research in Content Concentration | 3 |
| ED-992 | Portfolio Evaluation (to be taken last) | 1 |
| Pedagogical Courses | (9 credits) | |
| ED-910 | The Child, Family, Community, and Diversity in Education | 3 |
| EE-912 | Young Children and Integrated Early Childhood Education Practices | 3 |
| ED-979 | Technology and Literacy in the Classroom | 3 |
| Content Courses | (12 credits) | |
| ED-914 | Teaching and Learning Literacy Across Multiple Disciplines | 3 |
| EE-904 | Exploring Science in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EE-913 | Social Studies in Early Childhood: Content Curriculum, Evaluation, Methods And Materials | 3 |
| ED-929 | Mathematics Assessment and Instruction For Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Electives | (3 credits) | |
| Select one elective of the following or with consent of the program coordinator: | 3 | |
| Spec Topics in Education | ||
| The Fine Arts in Early Childhood: Content, Curriculum, Evaluation, Methods and Materials | ||
| Detection and Remediation of Early Reading Difficulties | ||
| Total Credits | 34 | |