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Academic Programs:<br /> Master of Education Program in <br />Early Childhood and Elementary Education
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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs:
Master of Education Program in
Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Overview:

The Master of Education degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education is a 36 credit program designed for experienced teachers who want to prepare to assume leadership roles in areas such as: curriculum development, inclusion practices, or Philosophy for Children. The program will follow a cohort model, and allows each student to specialize in a particular area of study as part of a community learners. Prerequisites include 2 semesters of child development. Applicants must hold a valid teaching license (P-3, K-5, N-8, or equivalent), demonstrate a minimum of three years teaching experience, complete the Graduate School Application, and meet Graduate School requirements.

Students who have not taken the prerequisite courses as part of their certification or undergraduate/graduate education are responsible for taking these courses as part of their work programs.

Work Program for Master of Education in Early Childhood and Elementary Education :

Courses 3 Semester Hours
Number Name Hours
ECEL 505: Observation and Inquiry in ECEL Classroom 3

Family Community, Diversity Course
Select one course from the following: 3 Semester Hours
Number Name Hours
ECEL 518: Families, Communities, and Schools: Diversity, Culture, Democracy 3
ECSE 508: Partnerships with Families in Early Children Special Education 3
EDFD 531: Education of Language Minority Students 3

Literacy Course
Select one course from the following: 3 Semester Hours
Number Name Hours
READ 500: The Nature of Reading 3
READ 503 Literature for Adolescents 3
READ 508 Critical Thinking and Literacy 3
READ 524: Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms 3
READ 510: Field Experience in Reading 3
READ 600: Workshop in Contemporary Issues in Reading 3

Research Courses
Number Name Hours
ELRS 503: Methods of Research* 3
ELRS 504 Action Research 3
*If a student has completed this course or equivalent within the last five years, this requirement may be waived. Students must complete a minimum of 32 credits to complete the M.Ed. degree.
 
Concentration
Select one Focus Area from the following (15-16 semester hours):
Curriculum Development
Number Name Hours
ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in EC/EL 3
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Dem in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Math for Elementary Teachers 3
READ 503 Literature for Adolescents 3
OR
READ 524 Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms 3
ECEL 501 Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
ECEL 532 Research Seminar: Current Topics in EC/EL Classrooms 3
 
Inclusion Practices
Number Name Hours
SPED 579 Special Education for Students with Disabilities 3
ECSE 505 Risk and Resilience in Early Development 3
ECSE 506 Observation and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs 3
ECSE 507 Assessment of Preschool Children with Disabilities 3
ECSE 509 Implementing Programs for Children with Disabilties 3
ECSE 518 Neuromotor Development of the Young Child 3
ECEL 522 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Inclusive Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 523 Communication, Collaboration, and Consultation in ECSE 6
ECSE 520 Research in Early Childhood Special Education 3
 
Literacy: Select five courses from the following:
READ 503 Literature for Adolescents 3
READ 508 Critical Thinking and Literacy 3
READ 510 Field Experience in Reading 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: Contemporary Issues in Reading 3
 
Philosophy for Children
Number Name Hours
PHLC 501 Teaching Children Philosphical Thinking I 3
PHLC 512 Value Inquiry 3
EDFD 522 Pragmatism in Education 3
PHLC 513 Social Inquiry 3
Select one course from the following 3-4 Semester Hours
EDFD 581 Critical Thinking Community and Self 3
PHLC 511 Teaching Philosphical Reasoning III 3
PHLC 508
& 		Summer Seminar at Mendham: 4
PHLC 509 Teaching Philosphical Reasoning I and II (2/2 sh)
PHLC 614
& 		Summer Seminar at Mendham: Scientific Reasoning 4
PHLC 615 and Foundation of Philosphy for Children (2/2 sh)
 
Elective: Course to be selected upon consultant with Graduate Advisor
 
Masters Thesis Preparation
Number Name Hours
ECEL 698 Masters Thesis: Each Student will be required to assemble a portfolio, including a research thesis. Students will present portfolios to a panel of reviewers. 3
ECEL 699 Extension of Masters Thesis: Extention is not counted toward degree semester hours 1

Concentration
Select one course from the following:
Curriculum Development
Number Name Hours
ECEL 517: Integrating Science and Technology in EC/EL 3
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Dem in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Math for Elementary Teachers 3
READ 503:
     OR		 Literature for Adolescents 3
READ 410:
    OR		 Literature in a Multicultural Society 3
ECEL 501: Perspectives on Early Childhd and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
ECEL 530: Research Seminar 3

Inclusion Practices
Number Name Hours
SPED 579: Special Education for Students with Disabilities 3
ECSE 509 Implementing Programs for Children with Disabilities 3
ECEL 522 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Inclusive Elementary Classrooms 3
ECSE 523
 Communication, Collaboration, and Consultation in ECSE 6
ECSE 520:
 Research in Early Childhood Special Education 3

Philosophy for Children
Number Name Hours
PHLC 501: Teaching Children Philosophical Thinking I 3
PHLC 511 Value Inquiry 3
EDFD 522 Pragmatism in Education 3
PHLC 513
 Social Inquiry 3

Select one course from the following: 3-4 Semester Hours
EDFD 581: Critical Thinking Community and Self 3
PHLC 511 Teaching Philosophical Reasoning III 3
PHLC 508
      &		 Summer Seminar at Mendham: 4
PHLC 509: Teaching Philosophical Reasoning I and II (2/2 sh)
PHLC 614:
     &		 Summer Seminar at Mendham: Scientific Reasoning 4
PHLC 615: and Foundation of Philosophy for Children (2/2 sh)

Elective
Course to be selected upon consultation with Graduate Advisor
Masters Thesis Preparation
Number Name Hours
ECEL 698: Masters Thesis: Each student will be required to assemble a portfolio, including a research thesis. Students will present portfolios to a panel of reviewers. 3
ECEL 699 Extension of Masters Thesis: Extention is not counted toward degree semester hours 1

Additional Student Responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
  • It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the graduate catalog.