Master of Education in Early E...

Master of Education in Early Education and Care

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Prepare young children to succeed

The Master of Education, Early Education and Care (formerly 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 Education and Care 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 schoolteachers 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.

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Admissions requirements

  • Complete online application for admission
  • Pay $50 application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) institution with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA
  • Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions
  • Initial License or its equivalent in Early Childhood Education
  • Existing career or experience in an early childhood setting if you do not have an Initial License or its equivalent in Early Childhood Education
  • Two academic or professional references

Official transcripts must be mailed or emailed directly from the granting institution(s) to:

Mailing Address:
Graduate Admissions Office
Worcester State University
486 Chandler Street
Worcester, MA 01602

Email: gradadmissions@worcester.edu

Check out the different education courses waiting for you at Worcester State!

ED 981: Advanced Foundations of Education

The course explores historical, philosophical, psychological, legal, and cultural foundations for education and school practices.
3 credits

ED 982: Research in Education

The course examines different research methods and designs, including writing hypothesis, reviewing literature, gathering data and preparing research proposals.
3 credits

ED 993: Seminar: Research in Content Concentration

The course focuses on educational issues. Students will conduct a formal study that seeks to investigate teaching and learning in the student's content strand of concentration.
3 credits

ED 910: The Child, Family, Community, and Diversity in Education

The course addresses advanced study of how differences in home experience, background knowledge and language proficiency impact school experience.
3 credits

EE 912: Integrated Early Childhood Education Practices

The course adapts programs, material, practices, environments for individuals. Implements theories integrating special needs children into regular classroom and early intervention strategies.
3 credits

ED 979: Technology and Literacy in the Classroom

The course examines the key components of balanced literacy in the K-8 school classrooms with a focus on the integration of educational technology as a tool for instruction.
3 credits

ED 914: Teaching and Learning Literacy Across Multiple Disciplines

The course presents meaningful theory and related teaching strategies to aid pupils in reading and learning from their content area textbooks.
3 credits

EE 904: Exploring Science in Early Childhood Education

The course uses Massachusetts Frameworks to develop and assess activities that foster learning and discovery, connect science with literacy, mathematics, and social studies.
3 credits

EE 913: Social Studies in Early Childhood

The course explores topics from Massachusetts history and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks. Addresses design, implementation, assessment of integrated, developmentally appropriate Social studies programs.
3 credits

ED 929: Mathematics Assessment and Instruction for Diverse Learners

This course presents mathematical concepts, methods and materials to facilitate learning.
3 credits

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