Elementary Education (1-6) and Early Childhood (PreK-2): Professional Licensure

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The 36-credit Appropriate Master’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education prepares early childhood and elementary level educators who already possess an Initial License in the respective field with a program of the study that prepares them to be eligible for Professional Licensure in the state of Massachusetts. The Appropriate Master’s Degree combines the study of advanced level subject matter and the pedagogy in mathematics, science, civics, and English, with an in-depth examination of research methods, policy analysis, leadership, the social history of American education, and the foundations of student aspirations. Preparing practicing early childhood and elementary school teachers to build a deeper understanding of the subjects they teach, the Appropriate Master’s also provides educators with the opportunity to better examine the trends in 21st century American education that impact their students, schools, and lives as teachers.

Prerequisite: Possession of an Initial License in Early Childhood or Elementary Education

Specific Admission Requirements

Application form and fee;
Statement of professional goals;
Official transcripts of all academic work (at a minimum a Bachelor degree);
Two letters of recommendation;
A copy of a Massachusetts Initial License in Early Childhood (PreK-2) or Elementary Education (1–6); and
Official score on either the Miller Analogies Test or the GRE.

Program of Study

ARS 535 - Teaching Health Education Concepts with Visual and Performing Arts (Cr: 3)
ED 580 - Innovative Methods in Education (Cr: 3)
ED 581 - Technology in Education (Cr:3)
ED 582 - Research Methods (Cr: 3)
EDC 510 - Policy Analysis, Leadership, and Change Processes (Cr: 3)
EDC 570 - Understanding the Dynamics of Student Aspirations (Cr: 3)
HST 531 - Civic Learning in the 21st Century (Cr: 3)
RDG 502 - Learning and Cognition (Cr: 3)
RDG 504 - Family Literacy Connections (Cr: 3)
RDG 511 - Children’s Literature (Cr: 3)
MTH 545 - Developing Mathematical Ideas, Numbers and Operations (Cr: 3)
SPN 507 - Family, School and Community: Forming Partnerships (Cr: 3)

Plus Comprehensive Examination

Total Degree Requirements: 36 cr.

Completion Requirements

To complete the Appropriate Master’s Degree program, students must successfully complete all of the required courses and the comprehensive examination.

Eligibility for Professional Licensure

According to the current Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations, Professional Licensure is granted to individuals who possess an initial license, have completed an Appropriate Master’s Degree in an Education school, have completed a one-year induction program with a mentor, and have completed at least three years of employment in the role of the license. Students completing the Master’s degree who have not met the other requirements for the Professional License, including a one-year induction program with a mentor and at least three years of employment in the role of the license, i.e., elementary education, will be advised to apply to the DESE for the Professional License when they have met these requirements.

Students who have met the induction and employment requirements will be advised to apply for their Professional Licensure with the DESE upon completion of the program.

Other Options for Early Childhood and Elementary Education Licensure

Please refer to the program of study for Master of Education in Initial Licensure in Reading and Literacy as another option for obtaining Professional Licensure in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.