Early Childhood Education, M.Ed., (Pre-K-2) Initial Licensure

Graduate Curriculum Committee

William Cortezia, PhD
Danette Day, EdD
Janna Heiligenstein, PhD
Anne Howard, PhD, Chair
Ruth Joseph, EdD
Richard Masciarelli, MEd
Nancy Murray, EdD
Robert Shapiro, PhD, BCBA-D
Annette Sullivan, EdD

Initial Licensure Concentration

Program Objectives

The Initial Licensure Concentration is designed for those individuals who have completed an appropriate baccalaureate degree but without an initial license who wish to acquire the competencies and requirements for the initial license of the selected programs: early childhood education, elementary education or middle school education.

Program Description

The Initial Licensure Concentration aims to enable candidates to:

• Acquire the competencies and habits of mind of effective teaching
• Reflect on historical, philosophical and theoretical perspectives related to current educational issues and practice
• Examine empirical research and engage in the scientific reasoning process
• Acquire and apply advanced knowledge of child development theory and research in the design and implementation of education curricula, practices and environments
• Acquire knowledge of how children develop as thinkers and learners
• Acquire and apply advanced knowledge of emerging, research-based educational principles in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the educational environment and instructional program
• Become more aware of societal demands on the curriculum as they relate to meeting the diverse needs of students
• Investigate effective educational partnership models, which focus on family strengths, circumstances and cultural experiences
• Demonstrate effective strategies and techniques for working with diverse populations of students in integrated learning environments
• Examine the shared values, ethics, purposes and commitments, which bond the educational community
• Acquire a professional orientation of collegiality and support, whereby contributions can be made to the improvement of education through the construction of knowledge and applications

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply, a candidate must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section as well as:

• Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
• Personal Statement
  Students must complete an essay of no more than one page in response to one of the following questions/statement:
  1. Tell about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
  2. What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
  3. Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.
     • Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
     • What did you do in that particular situation?
     • How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
     • How do you feel about the situation now?
     • What would you change, if anything?

Upon completion of this program and endorsement of the candidate for the initial license, the candidate may chose to matriculate into a post-master’s 18-credit program for the professional license.

Program Requirements

The M.Ed programs for initial licensure require 36-39 semester hours be acquired in a suggested sequence. The course sequence has been designed to ensure a developmental approach to acquiring the necessary competencies of effective teachers. A program advisor assists each candidate with the planned sequence and advises the selection of courses.

Each program is composed of:

• Six required common core courses
• Designated specialized courses from the selected disciplines of early childhood education, elementary education, or middle school education
• Field experiences and practicum experiences

Candidates in the M.Ed. programs for the initial license of teachers of early childhood education, elementary education and middle school education must complete or demonstrate:

• Passing scores on the Communications and Literacy Skills portion of MTEL (required for matriculation)
• Passing scores on the content portions of MTEL required for initial license in the selected discipline. For middle School Education passing scores are required in either Humanities or Math/Science.
• 100 hours field experience (These field experiences will be conducted in diverse settings)
• 300 hours practicum

Admission to the practicum is dependent upon a passing score on all required portions of MTEL required for initial license in the selected discipline, early childhood education, elementary education or middle school education; completion of all field experience; and positive disposition assessments and a Stage 2 review. 

Required Courses, Early Childhood Education, Initial Licensure

• EDUC 7003 - Educational Issues in Child Development (A*) (10 hrs field experience)**
• EDUC 7120 - Advanced Methods of Integrating Science, Math and Social Studies in Early Childhood Settings I (*B)
• EDUC 7123 - Advanced Methods of Integrating Science, Math and Social Studies in Early Childhood Settings II (*B) (35 hrs field experience total for I and II)**
• EDUC 7222 - Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood Settings (*B) (25 hrs field experience)**
• EDUC 8250 - Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education (*B) (20 hrs field experience)**
• EDUC 9400 - Practicum I/Early Childhood Education (*B)
• EDUC 9450 - Practicum II/Early Childhood Education (*B)

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course

Prior to completion of the program of study, initial licensure candidates are required to take the Fitchburg State University ESE-approved SEI course, if needed, in order to be endorsed for licensure.  Please note that SEI endorsement occurs following the completion of the program, not before. Please note that the DESE requires that the SEI course include at least 30 contact hours face-to-face to meet their requirements.