Master of Science in Care and Education in Early Childhood Settings
(Also offered in Concord, NH)
The Master of Science in Care and Education in Early Childhood Settings program is designed for students who will work with young children from 2.8 to 8 years of age in public, private and parochial care and education settings as care givers, classroom teachers, lead teachers, directors, and/or family liaison workers. Students will graduate from this program prepared to work with today’s increasingly diverse populations of children, families and communities.
All students in this 30-credit program select a focus of study consisting of six credits in a related area and drawing from an approved list of electives. The focus of study can be selected from options already designed by the College, or can be constructed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. The suggested areas of focus are:
- Early Childhood Language and Literacy Development
- Early Child Care Environments
- Family Communication and Support
- Expressive Arts
- Math, Science, and Technology
- Child Development
- Early Childhood Curriculum Development
- Early Childhood Special Needs
- Early Childhood Leadership, Policy and Administration
Signature Courses
All of the graduate programs in Early Childhood Education incorporate two signature courses into the curriculum.
Racial and Cultural Identities (EDU 505): This course is distinctly different from the offerings of other schools because its focus is on the self rather than the other. It requires participants to consider their own social identity in terms of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, citizenship; and to think about how their identity will influence and inform their work with students and their families.
Capstone Course (EDU 685): The Capstone Course requires
that students prepare and present an electronic portfolio of their
learning to a committee of arts and sciences and education faculty
members and practitioners. Students orally defend their knowledge,
thinking, and emerging teaching philosophy in front of a faculty committee.
The presentation and portfolio reflects the Wheelock
College Education Standards, which encompass Massachusetts’s
standards and build upon them.
For a detailed list of courses, please
go to the graduate section of our catalog in
.pdf and click on School of Education and Child Life: Early Childhood
Education.
Certification
Upon completion of this master’s degree program students will be eligible for Department of Early Education and Care lead teacher certification. Depending on prior experience and course of study at Wheelock, the student may also be eligible for DEEC Director 1 certification. This program does not lead to Massachusetts DOE teacher licensure endorsement.
Practicum Experiences
This program includes one required 300 hour practicum and a second optional field experience of 100-300 hours in early care and education settings. A student’s own classroom or setting may be used for field based experiences, if the Field Experience Office and faculty advisor determine it to be appropriate. Go to the Field Experiences Website for more information.
FAQs
Q: How many credits is this program?
A: 30 (includes coursework and practicum credits)
Q: When can I enroll in this program?
A: Students can enter the program at the start of any semester:
fall, spring or summer.
Q: Do I need to be a full-time student to participate in
this program?
A: No, you may enroll as a part-time or full-time student.
Q: How many hours are the field placements?
A: At least 300, but two 300 hour placements are possible.
Q: Do I need experience working with children to qualify
for admission to this program?
A: No, prior experience working with children is not required.
However, previous experience is preferred.
Q: Do I have to interview for admission to the program?
A: No. But informational interviews to learn
more about the program and its fit with your professional goals are
encouraged. To schedule an interview with a faculty member, email
the Office of Graduate Admissions at
graduate@wheelock.edu.
Q: What will I need to submit if I apply to this program?
A: A graduate
program application, a 3-5 page essay, a copy of your resumé,
copies of your academic transcripts and 3 letters of reference. For
full details of required admissions materials visit our Graduate
Admissions site.
Applying to a Wheelock College Graduate Program
Go to our application process web page to find out more on how to apply to this program.
If you have any questions about these programs, other graduate programs at Wheelock College, or about applying to Wheelock College, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduate@wheelock.edu or call (617) 879-2206, (toll-free (800) 734-5212), or visit the Office of Graduate Admissions Web Site.
