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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Graduate
M.A.T. - Early Childhood (P-3) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

*Please note that applicants interested in Special Education in content or subject areas should review the programs in the department of Curriculum and Teaching.

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 Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services 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. Applicants must also submit scores on the PRAXIS II test for Early Childhood: Content Knowledge, test code #10022, or an entrance ticket.

Required Courses (30 Semester Hours)
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on EC and EL Education in a Diverse Society (10 hrs field experience) 3
ECSE 508 Partnerships with Families: EC 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 and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs 3
ECSE 509 Programs and Practices for Young Children with Special 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 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive EC and EL Settings 2
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive EC and EL Classrooms 1
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II: Inclusive EC and EL Settings 2
or
ECEL 514 In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching
(Replaces Clinical Experience II for those in full time teaching positions)		 5
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive EC and EL Classrooms 1

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: Early Childhood Content Knowledge. Information on the PRAXIS test is available in the Center of Pedagogy in University Hall.
  • Any student who has not completed the equivalent of one semester of child development as an undergraduate must take the course 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 1st and February 1st 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 the proper audit forms in the Registrar's Office October 1st for May graduation, March 1st for August graduation, and June 1st for January graduation.
  • Applications for Certification are required to be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the following period: October 15th to November 15th for January graduation, March 15th to April 15th for May graduation, and July 1st to August 1st 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.

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