MEd—Early Childhood, Elementary, or Middle School Education
Graduate Program Chair
Pamela Hill, EdD
Advisor
Ian Bothwell, EdD
Graduate Committee
Ronald Colbert, EdD
Anne Howard, PhD
Randy Howe, EdD
Patricia Smith, EdD
The M.Ed. programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Middle School Education offer 2 tracks: one for the Professional License in the selected licensure area and one for the Initial License in the selected licensure area.
Professional Licensure Track
Program Objectives
The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and the M.Ed. in Middle School Education Programs of study enable educators to:
Program Descriptions
The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and the M.Ed. in Middle School Education Programs of study enable educators to:
- 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 application
- Broaden curriculum content knowledge and skills
Admissions Standards and Criteria
To apply for enrollment in the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education in Elementary Education or Master of Education in Middle School Education, a student must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section as well as:
- An appropriate teacher license (An Initial or Professional License is required for admission).
For more information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at 978-665-3239 or visit their web site at http://www.fsc.edu/edcert.
Program Requirements
The master of education in early childhood education, master of education in elementary education, and master of education in middle school education require that 36 semester hours be acquired in a suggested sequence within six years or less. The course sequence has been designed to ensure quality and provide flexibility to serve the variety of student interests and professional needs. A program advisor assists each student with the planned sequence and advises the selection of electives to meet individual goals, interests and licensure requirements.
Each program is composed of:
- Three required common core courses
- Designated specialized courses from the selected disciplines of early childhood education, elementary education or middle school education
- Content elective courses to fulfill licensure or recertification requirements and to compete the 36-semester hour program.
Program of Study
Required Core Courses
EDUC 7228 (*A) Contemporary Issues and Curriculum for Multi-needs Populations 3 S.H.
EDUC 8310 (*C) Advanced Research in Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 9150 (*C) Advanced Seminar in Reflective Practice and Action Research 3 S.H.
Subtotal 9 S.H.
Early Childhood Education Program Courses
EDUC 7300 (*A) Advanced Child Development 3 S.H.
EDUC 8400 (*B) Literacy in Early Childhood Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 8200 (*C) Qualitative Reading Assessment 3 S.H.
EDUC 8270 (*C) Collaborating with and Involving
Families in Early Childhood Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 8500 (*B) Developmental Assessment in
Early Childhood Education 3 S.H.
Subtotal 15 S.H.
Elementary Education Program Courses
EDUC 7300 (*A) Advanced Child Development 3 S.H.
EDUC 8400 (*B) Literacy in Elementary and
Middle School 3 S.H.
EDUC 8200 (*C) Qualitative Reading Assessment 3 S.H.
EDUC 8650 (*C) Advanced Strategies and Approaches for Teaching Critical Thinking in Content Areas 3 S.H.
EDUC 8600 (*B) Advanced Seminar in Child-centered
Issues 3 S.H.
Subtotal 15 S.H.
Middle School Education Program Courses
EDUC 8150 (*A) Advanced Assessment, Design and Evaluation of the Middle School Curriculum 3 S.H.
EDUC 8750 (*A) Seminar in Early Adolescent Issues 3 S.H.
EDUC 8350 (*B) Middle School Instructional Strategies
and Practices 3 S.H.
EDUC 8132 (*B) Content Reading and Writing: Fostering Literacy in Middle School and High School 3 S.H.
Subtotal 12 S.H.
Content Elective Courses
Students in each discipline, with the recommendation of an advisor, select a combination of content elective credits, which serve the individual's professional goals, interests and licensure requirements, and complete the 36 semester hour program. It is strongly advised that students seek approval of their advisor before selecting content electives.
Subtotal of Electives 12-15 S.H.
Total for Degree 36 S.H.
(*A) (*B) (*C) indicate sequence suggested to strengthen knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is strongly recommended that students follow this sequence in order to gain the necessary knowledge and competencies for more advanced courses.
Initial Licensure Track Program Objectives
The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and M.Ed. in Middle School Education Programs in the Initial Licensure Track are 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 M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and M.Ed. in Middle School Education Programs in the Initial Licensure Track aim 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 for enrollment in the master of education in early childhood education, master of education in elementary education or master of education in middle school education, 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)
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. for Initial License in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Middle School Education requires that 36 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:
- Five 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
- 125 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 votes by the graduate curriculum committee.
Programs of Study
Required Core Courses
EDUC 7023 (*A) Education Foundations: Theory and Practice (25 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7026 (*C) Studying Skillful Teaching OR
PDEV 6078 (*C) Responsive Classroom 3 S.H.
CRAR 8140 (*C) Creative Teaching 3 S.H.
EDUC 8300 (*C) Research in Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 9100 (*C) Reflective Seminar and Action Research 3 S.H.
Subtotal 15 S.H.
Early Childhood Education Program Courses
EDUC 7003 (*A) Educational Issues in Child Development (15 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 8250 (*B) Family Involvement in Early Childhood (25 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7120 (*B) Advanced Methods for Integrating Science, Math and Social Studies in the Early Childhood Setting I 3 SH
EDUC 7123 (*B) Advanced Methods for Integrating Science, Math and Social Studies in the Early Childhood Setting II (35 hrs field experience total for I and II)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7222 (*B) Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood Settings (25 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 9400 (*B) Practicum I/Early Childhood Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 9450 (*B) Practicum II/Early Childhood Education 3 S.H.
Subtotal 21 S.H.
Elementary Education Program Courses
EDUC 7003 (*A) Educational Issues in Child Development (15 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 8360 (*B) Advanced Social Studies in Education (25 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 8400 (*B) Language Arts and Literacy at the Elementary Level (25 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7025 (*B) Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle School (15 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7040 (*B) Advanced Concepts and Methods of Elementary and Middle School Math (20 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 9600 (*C) Practicum I/Elementary Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 9650 (*C) Practicum II/Elementary Education 3 S.H.
Subtotal 21 S.H.
Middle School Education Program Courses
EDUC 7013 (*A) Middle School Structures and Curriculum (15 hours field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7024 (*A) Educational Issues in Early Adolescent Development (15 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
EDUC 7014 (*B) Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
(20 hrs field experience)** 3 S.H.
Choose 2 of the following four, depending on licensure area sought: (25 hrs field experience for each**) 6 S.H.
EDUC 8360 (*B) Advanced Social Studies in Education and
EDUC 7225 (*B) Language Arts and Literacy at the Middle Level or
EDUC 7025 (*B) Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle School and
EDUC 7040 (*B) Advanced Concepts and Methods of Elementary and Middle School Math
EDUC 9700 (*C) Practicum I/Middle School Education 3 S.H.
EDUC 9750 (*C) Practicum II/Middle School Education 3 S.H.
Subtotal 21 S.H.
Total for Degree 36 S.H.
(*A) (*B) (*C) indicate sequence suggested to strengthen knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It is strongly recommended that candidates follow this sequence in order to gain the necessary knowledge and competencies for more advanced courses.
**Courses requiring a field experience
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