PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & COURSE OUTLINE
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Program Description
Course Outline
Degree Requirements
Certification
Cost

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Early Childhood Department: 770-423-6121

Interim Department Chair: Dr. James Cope -- jcope@kennesaw.edu

Program Coordinator: Dr. Gwen McAlpine - gmcalpin@kennesaw.edu

The M.Ed. in Early Education is designed specifically for Accomplished Classroom Instructional Leaders. The program allows experienced classroom teachers in Elementary education (P-5) to earn a M.Ed. in four semesters while continuing their teaching career. Candidates complete three phases taught by full time graduate faculty and experienced school personnel. The program is delivered in cohorts at centers in public schools. Each center has a cohort coordinator and the graduate faculty, who will mentor candidates and facilitate program delivery. The program of study schedule is designed to coincide with the public school calendar and is provided in advance so teachers can coordinate educational and personal commitments with program requirements.

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COURSE OUTLINE

FIRST PHASE: INTEGRATED INSTRUCTIONAL INQUIRY
SEMESTER I (9 Semester Hours)
The first semester is designed as a time of instructional inquiry. As candidates develop new insights, they explore the knowledge and skills of education, research and multiple assessment strategies, curriculum programs, and technology implementation for student achievement. The purpose of the instructional inquiry phase is to prepare at the advanced level candidates for successful classroom instructional leadership.

ECE 7511 Inquiry: Educational Research and Prospectus (3)
ECE 7512 Inquiry: Best Instructional/Curr. Practices & Multiple Assessment Strategies (3)
ECE 7514 Inquiry: Essentials of Technology and an Introduction to E - Portfolio (3)

SECOND PHASE: TEACHING EXCELLENCE
SEMESTER II & III (18 Semester Hours)
During this phase of the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, candidates explore models of teaching excellence based on curriculum content integration (including mathematics, social studies, language arts, and science) and local, state, and national standards, as well as assessment modifications, and environmental modifications that enhance student achievement. The purpose of the second phase is to prepare at the advanced level candidates for successful instructional leadership as well as the facilitation of student learning through integration of the curriculum, and the practice of action research to validate instructional decisions for all students.

ECE 7530 Integrated Models of Instruction I - Language Arts and Social Studies (3)
ECE 7531 Research and Implementation in Classroom I (LA and Social Studies) (3)
ECE 7513 Diverse Environmental Influence and Achievement (3)
ECE 7540 Integrated models of Instruction II – Mathematics and Science (3)
ECE 7541 Research and Implementation in Classroom II (Math and Science) (3)
ECE 7542 Multimedia and E-Portfolio Development Skills (3)

THIRD PHASE: ACCOMPLISHED CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER
SEMESTER IV (9 Semester Hours)
During the third and final phase of this Master of Education in Early Childhood Education program, candidates demonstrate their instructional leadership skills through the completion of their personal portfolio. The National Board Professional Teaching Standards will be addressed in the portfolio where appropriate through the inclusion of empirical evidence. The candidates collectively mentor the newest entering cohort members and collaborate with colleagues in the dissemination of knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired and enhanced through action research and teacher as researcher activities. The purpose of phase three is for the accomplished classroom instructional leader to show their newly acquired professional facilitator skills.

ECE 7550 Prospectus Completion (3)
ECE 7551 Portfolio Completion (3)
ECE 7560 Accomplished Instructional Leader (3)

TOTAL: 36 SEMESTER HOURS

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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Transfer Credit
Candidates enrolled in the M.Ed. for in Early Childhood Education will not be given credit for graduate courses taken at other institutions.

Grades in Graduate Courses
Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.

Licensure Requirements
A Georgia Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching is required. Provisional Certificates are not accepted.

Non-Degree Candidates
Students classified as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. This program will not provide graduate level course work for certification renewal purposes.

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CERTIFICATION

For additional information on certification, please e-mail
Kellie Oxford koxford@kennesaw.edu,
Certification Officer in the Teacher Education Advisement Center at KSU.

For additional information on the M.Ed. in Elementary & Early Childhood Education, please email Alisha Bello abello1@kennesaw.edu
Graduate Coordinator in the Teacher Education Advisement Center at KSU.