Early Childhood Education - Initial Licensure, Master of Education

Program Requirements

For the Introductory courses with variable credits, if these licensure competencies are met with prior coursework (experience is not used in determining if competencies have been met), these competencies are needed, they are requirements:

Introductory Courses: up to 19 credits

(Students who enter the program with specific course competencies taken prior to admission may be eligible for a reduction in the overall number of credits in the program. In the event that a student has substantial demonstrated competencies that would cause them to need fewer then 30 credits of the required courses in the program, the student will take alternative elective courses in consultation with the Program Coordinator to attain the minimum required credits for graduation:)

• EDU 720 - Child Growth and Development (or an elective*)

• Either:

• EDU 990E - Teaching Students with Exceptional Learning Needs OR
• EDC 795A - Universal Design for Learning Foundations and
• EDC 795B - Universal Design for Learning Methods and
• EDC 795C - Universal Design for Learning Practice
• EDS 860 - Sheltering Content for English Language Learners
• EDC 710 - Fundamentals of Lesson Planning OR
• EDU 737 - Applying Human Development to Teaching and Assessment

• It is appropriate to select EDC710 if you have already taken a course on child growth, lerning theories, or educational psychology.

• EDG 705 - Culturally Responsive Teaching
• EDS 812 - Special Education History and Law
• EDA 901 - Programmatic Assessment for Initial Education Licensure I
• EDA 902 - Programmatic Assessment for Initial Education Licensure II
• EDU 725 - Introduction to Literacy Development

Practice Courses: (18 credits)

(Candidates for initial licensure must take and pass all required sections of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure prior to entering the practicum. This includes the Early Childhood Content test and the Foundations of Reading test.)

• EDC 721 - Social Studies and Creative Arts Methods in Early Childhood
• EDU 739 - Literacy Instruction and Assessment in the Early Childhood and Elementary Classroom with field experience
• EDC 723 - STEAM Methods in Early Childhood I: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Art
• EDC 722 - STEAM Methods in the Early Childhood II: Mathematics
• EDU 801 - Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports
• EDC 810 - Technology Methods in the Early Primary and Elementary Grades
• EDC 736 - Early Childhood Pre-Practicum
• EDA 903 - Programmatic Assessment for Initial Education Licensure III
• EDA 904 - Programmatic Assessment for Initial Education Licensure IV
• EDA 905 - Programmatic Assessment for Initial Education Licensure V

Demonstration Courses: (4.5 - 6 credits)

• EDC 829 - PreKindergarten/Kindergarten Practicum
• EDC 834 - First/Second Grade Practicum
• EDC 834S - Practicum Seminar in Early Childhood Education

Advanced Early Childhood Course: (3 credits)

• EDU 921 - Capstone Seminar in Early Childhood Education and Child Development

Special Education License requirements

• EDS 790 - Introduction to Special Education
• EDS 891 - Methods and Materials in Special Education
• EDS 810 - Adaptive and Assistive Technology
• EDS 829 - Accessing and Designing School Services for Students with Exceptional Learning Needs
• EDS 830 - Consultation and Collaboration in Education
• EDS 824 - Curriculum and Assessment in Special Education
• EDS 959P - Practicum/Internship in Moderate Special Needs
• EDS 959S - Initial License Seminar in Special Education

Total Credits for M.Ed. Childhood Education + Special Education License (45 - 67 variable credits)

Additional Information and Notes

*Student may take an elective in place of EDU 720  if they have taken a suitable course on child growth and development in the last five years. (Approval of program coordinator required.)

**Candidates for initial licensure must take and pass all required sections of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure prior to entering the practicum.