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Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood is a unique time in a child’s development and it takes special skills and competencies to provide children with the grounding on which they build the rest of their education. Explore this program to find out how you can be a part of this innovative field.

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The Master of Education in Early Childhood leads to an initial license in Pk-2. The program requires 30-46 credits depending on previous coursework and experience as well as a semester-long practicum under the supervision of a professional teacher to acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience to earn an early childhood initial license.

Our early childhood coursework provides a strong foundation in theoretical, pedagogical, and conceptual knowledge as well as opportunity to apply that knowledge and skill in public school classrooms. Our dedicated faculty prioritize instructional techniques that promote anti-bias education and support equitable access to learning opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse children.

Our initial license program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Program Highlights

  • Experienced, knowledgeable, and accessible faculty with extensive early childhood teaching expertise.
  • Flexible course offerings including evening courses that often include the option to choose between hybrid and online courses.
  • Flexible enrollment (full or part-time) and pacing to meet participants' personal and professional needs.
  • Small class sizes and cohort-based learning help to support collaborative relationships between students and faculty.
  • Opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships, grants, and scholarships.
  • Students can select from three program options: MEd Early Childhood Education Initial License, MEd Early Childhood Education Advanced Studies, and Initial Licensure Only Early Childhood Education.

Pacing and Time Commitments

Students can select either full-time or part-time plans to best meet their needs based on work-life commitments.

  Time to Degree Recommended Start Time Credits Per Semester Average Nights/Week Total Credits
1-year Accelerated 3 semesters Summer 1 (required) 9-12 3-4 30-36
Two years 6 semesters Any semester 6 2 30-36
Self-paced Varies Any semester 3-6 1-2 30-36

 

One-year Accelerated

This cohort-based, three-semester options begins in summer and continues through the subsequent fall and spring semesters. During the summer, participants study educational foundation content and theory in an intensive, online format. The following fall semester includes a full-time field placement in a Pk-2 public school classroom while concurrently taking online classes on early childhood teaching methods. The final semester of the licensure portion of the program includes a full-time teaching practicum.

 

Two-year Option

The two-year option covers the same material as the one-year program, but over a longer time period. Participants typically take two classes per semester in the fall, spring, and summer.

 

Self-paced Option

Because participants' schedules and opportunities for graduate study vary from semester to semester, students are welcome to increase or decrease the number of courses taken during each semester as needed. All master's degree must be completed within six years of acceptance.

 

Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships may be available each year to qualified applicants in the 1-year accelerated program. The fellowships involve full-time work in a school during the pre-practicum and practicum and require a separate application and interview after program admission. Fellowships provide a stipend or pay for up to 18 graduate credits including in-state tuition and fees. All MTELs must be passed to be eligible for a fellowship.

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