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Academic Programs: Dual Certification: Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Graduate
Dual Certification:
Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (P-3) and
Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

Coordinator: Dr. Nancy Lauter
Office: University Hall, Room 3187
Phone: (973) 655-4243
Email: lautern@mail.montclair.edu

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. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children, including children with special needs.

Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program is one of the most highly-regarded teacher preparation programs in the country. It has been consistently recognized both nationally and regionally for its unique features, including its structure, partnerships, and curricular emphases. The program is considered a model for other colleges and universities and has continuously been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.

The Teacher Education Program’s professional course sequence and field experiences emphasize teaching for critical thinking and culturally responsive teaching. The professional component for both graduate students addresses four broad areas: 1) student development and learning, 2) the classroom and the school, 3) the curriculum, and 4) effective teaching skills.

Course Requirements:

Prerequisite Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 512 Child Development I - Theories of Child Development or equivalent 3
SPCM 101 Fundamentals of Speech Communication or equivalent 3
  Physiology & Hygiene (State cert requirement; approved course or exam offered through the Center of Pedagogy)  
  Completion and passing score on PRAXIS II Early Childhood Content Knowledge (test code 022)  
 
Core Courses 30
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on EC and Elem. Education in a Diverse Society (10 hrs fld exp) 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
ECSE 502 Sociocultural Contexts of Disability and Inclusive Education 3
 
Content/Methods Courses 9
Number Name 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
Semester Before Student Teaching  
Students must apply to the Center of Pedagogy for a Clinical placement the semester prior to their Clinical experience. Due dates are 3/1 for September placement and 10/1 for January. These deadlines are strictly adhered to by the Center of Pedagogy.  
Number Name Hours
+ ECEL 528 Early Childhood Curriculum in Inclusive Settings 3
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive EC and EL Settings 2
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive EC and EL Classrooms 1
   
Student Teaching Semester  
Number Name Hours
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
(ECEL 514 replaces ECEL 511 for those already in full-time teaching positions)		 5
     
  Comprehensive Exam 0
     
PROGRAM TOTAL: 36 credits
 
+ Check prerequisites

Admission Information:

All candidates must meet application and admission requirements as defined by The Graduate School.

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.
  • P-3 students must pass the Praxis II test for early childhood education (Early Childhood Education: Content Knowledge). Information on the Praxis test (0022) 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.
  • 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 to apply is March 1 for Fall placement and October 1 for January placement.
  • 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.