MS - Early Childhood Teaching Major
The Master Science (M.S) program with a major in Early Childhood Teaching is designed to provide an advanced degree in early childhood teaching to teachers who were awarded a Transition to Teaching Early Childhood Education Certificate (or equivalent initial preparation at the graduate level) within ten years and became practicing classroom teachers. Candidates will complete a 33-credit hour program by adding 18 hours of advanced preparation courses to 15 hours that may be transferred in from the TTT Early Childhood Education program coursework. The 18 credit hours are designed to provide participants with methods and materials to deepen their teaching ability and help their own students learn, including working with special needs children and accompanying law and policies, culturally responsive teaching, ethics and faith, and research and technology tools. They build on prior TTT coursework and teaching experience and align to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation's advanced-level program standards. Course instruction is designed to model best practices and procedures in the classroom.
This program is open to any candidate who was awarded a Transition to Teaching Early Childhood Certificate within ten years and received an initial Early Childhood Education teaching license. In order to enter the degree program, candidates must have at least one year of successful teaching experience as a teacher of record; this may preclude some TTT Early Childhood Education completers from entering this degree program immediately. This program does not lead to additional subject area licensure. Prior to applying, an applicant is responsible for knowing whether or not this program will satisfy regulatory requirements for the state or country in which he or she may be seeking advanced standing.
Upon completion of the additional courses, candidates should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to use research with an understanding of qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methodologies.
- Demonstrate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and biblical worldview that encompass professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to classroom teaching in their professional behaviors.
- Apply advanced knowledge of student learning suitable for any student.
- Apply data literacy to develop or sustain supportive school environments.
- Apply self-reflection and data analysis to improve their own teaching.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead and participate in collaborative activities with others, such as peers, colleagues, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and parents.
- Apply technology appropriate for their field of specialization.
- Demonstrate cultural knowledge and culturally responsive teaching that promotes student and school success.
- Apply content knowledge and skills that the courses and other experiences of this advanced preparation emphasize.
- Integrate global philosophies into their own educational practices.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the M.S. program with a major in Early Childhood Teaching are as follows:
- Successful awarding of a TTT Early Childhood Education Certificate within the last ten years.
- Candidates need:
- A valid (but not necessarily current) teacher’s license or (state, national, or international) equivalent.
- At least one year of teaching experience as teacher of record with supporting documentation from a school administrator.
- Supporting documentation demonstrating access to an early childhood classroom.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, from the M.S. program, candidates must have completed the following:
- Successful completion of the M.S. curriculum.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
MS - Early Childhood Teaching - Program of Study
Early Childhood Teaching Courses
Major (successful completion of a TTT Early Childhood Certificate with courses offered at a graduate level satisfies 15 hours of study in the major; an example would be the most recent version of IWU’s TTT Early Childhood (Ohio) Certificate with EDUT-504,
EDUT-514,
EDUT-522,
EDUT-532,
EDUT-542, and
EDUT-552; an equivalent body of work from another curriculum may be used)
| EDSE-505 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Core Courses
