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Academic Programs: Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (P-3)
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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Graduate
Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (P-3)

Coordinator: Nancy Lauter
Office: University Hall, Room 3163
Phone: (973) 655-5407
Email: lautern@mail.montclair.edu

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Early Childhood Education is a 36 credit program designed to provide graduate students with a master's degree as well as an initial certification to teach preschool through third grade (P-3). Students who apply to this program must hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts field, complete The Graduate Admissions & Support Services Application, and meet the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services requirements. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children.

Course Requirements:

Core Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
 
ECEL 518 Families, Communities, and Schools: Diversity, Culture and Democracy 3
OR
ECSE 508 Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities 3
 
ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
 
Literacy Course(s): Select one of the following:
READ 507 Understanding Reading Comprehension 3
READ 519 Language and Early Literacy Development 3
READ 522 History of Literacy and Media 3
READ 524 Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms 3
READ 525 Literacies, Digital Technology and Learning 3
READ 600 Workshop in Contemporary Issues in Reading 3
 
Content/Methods Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Mathematics Education in the Elementary School 3
 
Professional Sequence Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 2
 
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 5
OR
ECEL 514 In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 5
 
ECEL 528 Early Childhood Curriculum in Inclusive Settings 3
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 36 credits

Additional Student Responsibilities:
  • Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
  • Students are responsible for completing the Physiology and Hygiene requirement and Speech requirement for state certification.
  • Early Childhood Certification requires passing PRAXIS Exam 0022. Information on the PRAXIS test is available in the Center of Pedagogy office in University Hall.
  • Any student who has not completed the equivalent of one semester of general psychology, and two semesters of child development as an undergraduate must take the courses at the graduate level.
  • All MAT students must register to take the Comprehensive Exam during the Clinical I semester. The exam is administered once in the spring and fall semesters. Registration for the fall exam is due October 1 and February 15 for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the Graduate Catalog and the current Center of Pedagogy Teacher Education Handbook.
  • Students are required to apply to the Center of Pedagogy for Clinical I placement the semester before placement begins.The deadline is March 1 for Fall placements and October 1 for Spring placement.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file the proper audit forms in the Registrar's Office October 1 for May graduation, March 1 for August graduation, and June 1 for January graduation.
  • Applications for Certification are required to be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the following period: October 15 to November 15 for January graduation, March 15 to April 15 for May graduation, and July 1 to August 1 for August graduation.
  • Any variation from this work program must be approved by the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services through the proper filing of a substitution form.