Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Early Childhood Education is designed for students who are seeking a graduate degree and initial licensure to teach young children from birth to 2nd grade. The program also offers the opportunity to earn initial licensure without a graduate degree by enrolling in the Teacher Licensure program (TLP). The program provides a solid academic course of study as well as diverse, dynamic, and enriching learning experiences aimed at preparing high quality teachers who will provide young children with a strong 21st-century foundation for learning and development. Graduates of the program will acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for working effectively with typically and atypically developing children in diverse learning environments. The Masters degree with initial licensure program is composed of 36 credit hours designed to be completed in as few as five semesters, including one summer, while the Teacher Licensure only program (TLP) is composed of 33 credit hours.
Goals of the Program
Graduates of the program will:
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Acquire deep understanding of the process of human development and learning from birth to age 8 and become familiar with the field of Early Childhood Education through historical, philosophical, theoretical and practical perspectives as well as legislation impacting early childhood education and the critical role of families in the education of young children.
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Develop enriched awareness of research in educating young children and understanding of how such research informs practice to make learning effective while also expanding the theoretical base of the field of early childhood education.
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Build solid academic content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and professional competencies appropriate for 21st century demands of effective teaching, assessment, ethics, and professionalism in the field of Early Childhood Education.
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Experience working with young children and their families from diverse backgrounds and develop rapport with schools, communities and professional organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
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Develop a comprehensive set of skills in interpersonal, technological, pedagogical, and assessment domains in order to work effectively with young children at different developmental and ability levels in school settings and beyond.
Requirements for Admission
- Admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGSR)
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale
- Two professional letters of recommendation from references who are conversant with the applicant’s scholarship and potential as a teacher.
- A one-page statement indicating reasons for applying to the program.
NOTE:
1. Provisional admission to the program may be granted to an applicant whose cumulative undergraduate GPA falls slightly below the 3.0 requirement but who is otherwise highly qualified. Consideration will be made on an individual basis after an interview with the applicant.
2. The MAT ECED program admits students in the Fall semester only. It can be completed in 5 consecutive semesters, including one summer.
3. Candidates with experience in teaching young children in a group setting may qualify to have some of their clinical hours waived with documented evidence and as determined by the program.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 9 credit hours of graduate level coursework may be accepted into the program upon evaluation of the coursework and determination of equivalence in scope and content.
Retention Requirements
- Maintain at least 3.0 GPA (4.0 Scale)
- Complete required coursework
- Pass ILTS Content Area Test (Required before placement in ECED 429, Internship).
EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAT DEGREE completion:
- Successful completion of the required courses (36 credit hours).
- Completion of an action research project (ECED 507).
- Passing the ILTS Early Childhood Education Content Area Test 206.
- Passing ECED 529 (16 week full-time internship in ECED) with a grade of B or higher.
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Requirements for Retention
In order to proceed through the program without interruption, candidates are expected to:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above throughout the program
- Earn a grade of "B" or higher in each of the clinical experiences (ECED 527A & 527B) prior to student teaching, as required by ISBE
- Earn acceptable ratings in the review of candidate dispositions and professional behavior
- Progress satisfactorily toward program completion
Earn a passing score on Illinois State Content Exam prior to student teaching- Adhere to the university's graduate policies as documented in the CGSR's section of the catalog, and the Graduate Student Handbook
Clinical Experience
The MAT (ECED) program has two clinical experiences that must be successfully completed prior to student teaching - ECED 527A and ECED 527B. Candidates complete 80 hours at two levels in the first clinical ECED 527A. There will be a 30-hour placement with infants and toddlers and 50 hours with preschoolers. This clinical provides the opportunity to observe the rapid development of children in all domains, and to plan and implement engaging activities that are appropriate for each level. In the second clinical, ECED 527B, candidates are placed in a school setting for a 80 hour clinical. This provides the opportunity to plan and implement lessons in a Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade classroom, all under the guidance of a Cooperating Teacher in the field and a university supervisor.
NOTE:
Candidates with experience in teaching young children in a group setting may qualify to have some of their clinical hours waived with documented evidence and as determined by the program.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is completed over 16 weeks of full time, full day teaching experience. Placements for the Clinical Experiences and student teaching are made by the Clinical Experiences and Student Teaching (CEST) office. Candidates are required to complete a criminal background check prior to placement for clinical and student teaching.
Requirements for Degree Completion
1. Successful completion of all coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
2. Successful completion of clinical experiences and student teaching with a grade of "B" of higher
Requirements for Degree Completion and Entitlement
Successful completion of all degree requirements.
Requirements for the MAT in Early Childhood Education (ECED)
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 36-credit hour program, and the Teacher Licensure Program (TLP) is a 33-credit hour program. Course requirements are listed below.
All courses are required for Both MAT and TLP except for ECED 507, which is required for the MAT only.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | ||
| Block 1 | ||
| ECED-502 | Theories, Philosophies And Technologies Informing Early Childhood Education And Assessment | 3 |
| ECED-503 | Early Childhood Curriculum And Assessment | 3 |
| Spring 1 | ||
| Block 2 | ||
| ECED-504 | Early Language Acquisition, Assessment, And School-Family Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| ECED-505 | Technology Integrated Practice In ECED: Methods Of Teaching/Assessing Language Arts, Music, And Art | 3 |
| LTCY-501 | Literacy Instruction In Primary And Elementary Grades | 3 |
| Summer | ||
| Block 3 | ||
| BLBC-440 | Methods For Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| SPED-404 | Survey Of The Field Of Special Education | 3 |
| ECED-527A | Clinical Experiences In Early Childhood Education - Infant To Preschool | 1.5 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Block 4 | ||
| ECED-506 | Methods Of Teaching STEAM And Assessing Learning In Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED-507 | Research Seminar In Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED-527B | Clinical Experiences In Early Childhood Education - Kindergarten To 2nd Grade | 1.5 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| Block 5 | ||
| ECED-529 | Internship - Student Teaching In Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| ECED-502 | Theories, Philosophies And Technologies Informing Early Childhood Education And Assessment | 3 |
| ECED-503 | Early Childhood Curriculum And Assessment | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ECED-504 | Early Language Acquisition, Assessment, And School-Family Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| ECED-505 | Technology Integrated Practice In ECED: Methods Of Teaching/Assessing Language Arts, Music, And Art | 3 |
| LTCY-501 | Literacy Instruction In Primary And Elementary Grades | 3 |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BLBC-440 | Methods For Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| SPED-404 | Survey Of The Field Of Special Education | 3 |
| ECED-527A | Clinical Experiences In Early Childhood Education - Infant To Preschool | 1.5 |
| Term Hours | 7.5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ECED-506 | Methods Of Teaching STEAM And Assessing Learning In Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED-507 | Research Seminar In Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED-527B | Clinical Experiences In Early Childhood Education - Kindergarten To 2nd Grade | 1.5 |
| Term Hours | 7.5 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ECED-529 | Internship - Student Teaching In Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |