Master of Science in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) for Initial Licensure
(Also offered in Fall River, MA; Hyannis, MA; Methuen, MA and Wellesley, MA)
This program will help students develop and refine skills in curriculum design, observation and assessment, communication, collaboration, responding to diverse learning styles, and classroom management.
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
The Master of Science in Early Childhood Education can lead to Massachusetts Early Childhood Teacher of Students With or Without Disabilities Initial Licensure upon completion of the necessary state tests. The license enables educators to work in diverse settings, including inclusive early childhood programs and early childhood programs serving children ages 3-8 in public and private settings
Practicum Experiences
Students participate in two extensive practicum experiences, for a total of at least 200 hours in each practicum. The practica encompass two semesters of student teaching experiences in early childhood settings: one in a kindergarten or a pre-kindergarten-level site and one in a grade 1-2 site. At least one of the practicum sites will include children with special needs. In some cases a student may use their current job as a placement opportunity, but students must have it approved by their faculty advisor and the Field Experience Office.
FAQs
Q: How many credits is this program?
A: 34 (includes coursework and practicum credits)
Q: When can I enroll in this program?
A: Students may begin this program during any semester. However,
students who enroll for the fall semester often can only take six credits
due to the schedule of courses offered. Students who begin in
the spring semester are able to enroll full-time for all semesters. Those
who choose to begin during the summer semester should realize that
this is the most intense option if they intend to enroll as a full-time
student.
Q: Do I need to be a full-time student to participate in
this program?
A: Students may begin their course work on a part-time
basis, but must enroll full-time during semesters in which the two
practica are completed. Full-time students may complete the program
in four semesters, and are strongly encouraged to begin in the spring
or summer. All students should meet with their advisors to develop
a study plan, as there is a sequence of courses that must be maintained.
Q: How many hours are the field placements?
A: Each practicum is at least 200 hours.
Q: Do I need experience working with children to qualify
for admission to this program?
A: While preference is given to applicants who have
experience working with children and families (especially in a group
setting), previous experience is not required.
Q: What if I already have an initial license?
A: Applicants who have graduated from Wheelock College
within the last three years and have completed Initial Licensure in
Early Childhood may be eligible for a combined degree program. Refer
to the Master's in Teaching
and Learning Early Childhood Education Program for additional information.
Graduates of other bachelor’s programs and who have their initial license should contact a representative of Wheelock’s Office of Graduate Admissions.
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.
