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Academic Programs: Dual Certification Graduate Master of Arts in Teaching:<br> Early Childhood Education (Preschool through Third Grade)<br> and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)
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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Dual Certification Graduate Master of Arts in Teaching:
Early Childhood Education (Preschool through Third Grade)
and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Early Childhood Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities is a 48 credit program designed to provide graduate students with a master's degree as well as dual certification: initial certification to teach preschool through third grade (P-3) and certification to teach students with disabilities in P-3 settings. Students who apply to this program must hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts field, complete the Graduate School Application, and meet Graduate School requirements. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children, including children with special needs.

Work Program for Dual Certification MAT (P-3) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Program (TSD):

Required Courses

30 Semester
Hours

Number Course Title

Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on EC and Elem. Education in a Diverse
Society (10 hrs field experience) 		3
ECSE 508 Partnerships with Families: Early Childhood Special Education 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
ECSE 519 Language and Early Literacy Development 3
ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
ECSE 506 Observation Assess of Young Children with Spec. Needs 3
ECSE 509 Programs and Practices for Young Children with Spec. Needs 3
ECSE 523 Communication, Collaboration, and Consultation in EC 3
ECSE 505 Risk and Resilience in Early Development 3
SPED 579 Special Education for Students with Disabilities 3
     
Content/Methods Courses

6 Semester
Hours

ECEL 513 Math, Science and Technology for Young Children in Inclusive Settings 3
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms 3
     
Professional Sequence Courses

12-13 Semester Hours

ECEL 528 Early Childhood Curriculum in Inclusive Settings 3
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive EC and EL Classrooms 1
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive EC and EL Settings 2
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive EC and EL Classrooms 1
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II: Inclusive EC and EL Settings 5
       OR
ECEL 514 In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching I/II
(Replaces Clinical Experience II for those in full-time teaching positions) 		5
     
TOTAL 48 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.
  • Although it is not required for early childhood education students, it is strongly recommended that P-3 students pass the Praxis II test for elementary education (Elementary Education: Content Knowledge). Information on the Praxis test is available in the Center of Pedagogy office in University Hall.
  • 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 1st and February 15th for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • Registration for the fall exam is due October 1st and February 15th 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.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file proper 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 Graduate School through the proper filing of a substitution form.

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