Early Childhood Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Carol Donnelly
Tel: 508 929-8667
email: cdonnelly@worcester.edu
Early Childhood Education Courses
Early Childhood Education has undergone remarkable changes in the past thirty years. It has evolved from being an option for middle class preschool children to an essential part of the educational system for millions of families with children from infancy through the primary years. These changes have signaled a new level of professionalism and training for teachers. Such transformations are a reflection of the economic, social, and political climate of the times. The programs in Early Childhood Education at Worcester State University introduce teachers to current theories and research opportunities for the development of effective teaching skills. The program is based on a solid foundation of child growth and development, learning styles, and developmentally appropriate educational environments. Worcester State University approaches Early Childhood Education as an integrated experience, one that involves the child, the school, the parents, and the community. Early Childhood Education is also presented as a continuous experience which develops and grows as children move from a child care center or preschool setting through kindergarten and the primary grades.
Programs
The degree of Master of Education, Concentration in Early Childhood Education is designed for those professionals focusing on the education and care of young children, from birth through the second grade/age 8.
There are two tracks within the program.
1. The Professional License Track is a Master’s Degree program designed for those who possess the Initial License or its equivalent. This track fulfills the full licensure requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Education for a teacher of Early Childhood Education (P-2) and leads toward the Professional Teaching License.
(34 credits total)
Prerequisites: Initial License or its equivalent in Early
Childhood Education
The program consists of the following courses:
I. Core requirements: (Required of all students – 10 credits)
ED 981 Advanced Foundations of Education 3 credits
ED 982 Research in Education 3 credits
ED 993 Seminar: Research in Content Concentration 3 credits
ED 992 Portfolio Evaluation (to be taken last) 1 credit
II. Core Content Courses: (Required of all students, except for those
who can demonstrate recent mastery of the content area. With the
approval of the program coordinator, those students must document
mastery and may elect higher level or alternate courses. – 12 credits)
ED 920 Cognitive/Affective Learning for Typical and Atypical
Children 3 credits
CD 910 Speech/Language Development, Differences, Diversity
3 credits
EE 911 Early Literacy for Young Children 3 credits
EE 912 Young Children and Inclusive Early Childhood
Practices 3 credits
III. Content across the curriculum courses: (Students must elect a
minimum of three of these courses, which have been developed
and/or taught in conjunction with liberal arts and sciences faculty
members. Students may choose to elect graduate level courses in the
content areas which they teach: English, Mathematics, Science,
History, Fine Art, or Reading – 9 credits)
EE 900 Literature for Young Children 3 credits
EE 903 Language Arts in Early Childhood: Content, Curriculum,
Evaluation, Methods and Materials 3 credits
EE 904 Exploring Science in Early Childhood Education
3 credits
EE 913 Social Studies in Early Childhood: Content, Curriculum,
Evaluation, Methods and Materials 3 credits
EE 916 Mathematics in early Childhood: Content, Curriculum,
Evaluation, Methods and Materials 3 credits
EE 917 The Fine Arts in early Childhood: Content, Curriculum,
Evaluation, Methods and Materials 3 credits
IV. Electives 3 credits
Students may select additional content across the curriculum courses or may select two courses from electives offered by the department. Students may elect an area of focus by choosing electives and completing their research projects in a specific area.
Total 34 credits.
2. The Professional Development (Non-Licensure) Track is designed for students who wish to enhance competence within an existing career in preschool, early intervention, nursery school, day care, kindergarten, or first through second grade.
Prerequisites: General Admission Requirements located at: http://worcester.edu/Graduate/Shared%20Documents/graduateadmissions.aspx
The program consists of the following courses:
ED 981 Advanced Foundations of Education 3 credits
ED 982 Research in Education 3 credits
ED 993 Seminar: Research in Content Concentration 3 credits
ED 992 Portfolio Evaluation 1 credit
ED 920 Cognitive and Affective Learning for Typical and
Atypical Children 3 credits
EE 912 Young Children and Inclusive Early Education Practices
3 credits
CD 910 Speech and Language Development 3 credits
EE 911 Early Literacy for Young Children 3 credits
Electives 12 credits
Total 34 credits
Note: Teachers in the field of Early Childhood Education are certified in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by two licensing agencies. Public school teachers teaching preschool through grade two are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Teachers who teach at the preschool level in day care and nursery school 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.