Early childhood education and early childhood special education

Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in early childhood education and early childhood special education)

The early childhood education and early childhood special education initial licensure program prepares you to enter the job market in a field especially in need of teachers: special education. The program is designed to prepare inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educators who can teach in the classroom and lead in the schools. Included in the program is preparation on understanding student learning, working with diverse learners, developing a variety of instructional strategies, creating positive learning environments, and preparing for a collaborative, professional relationship with colleagues.

Program

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

This program is offered on a part-time or full-time basis through the Institute of Child Development (ICD), in collaboration with the departments of Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) and Educational Psychology (EdPsy).

Students enter a program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. Four student teaching experiences are generally required to create a strong base in which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes. Throughout their student teaching, prospective teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing firsthand the daily rewards and pressures of their profession.

Upon successful completion of program requirements, students are recommended for state licensure in two areas: early childhood education (birth–grade 3) and early childhood special education (birth–age 6). After completing all program requirements, students are awarded a master of education (M.Ed.) degree in teaching. Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first coursework used toward the M.Ed., and must maintain a 2.80 grade point average (GPA) for M.Ed. coursework.

Curriculum

Students complete foundations, methods, and student teaching experience coursework for licensure. Although all of these courses are required for licensure, some courses may be taken for undergraduate credit before admission into the program. At least 30 graduate-level credits are required for the M.Ed. degree.

Note: Foundations coursework may be completed throughout the program, including summer, fall, or spring terms.

Foundations courses

CPSY 4336W—Development and Interpersonal Relations (4 cr)
CPSY 4343—Cognitive Development (4 cr)
CPSY 4993—Directed Instruction in Child Psychology (3 cr)
EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)
EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
EPSY 5849—Observation and Assessment of the Preschool Child (3 cr)
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Note: PUBH-designated course listed above may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree.

Methods courses

CI 5111—Introduction to Elementary School Teaching (3 cr)
CI 5415—Literacy Development in the Primary Grades (3 cr)
CI 5504—Elementary School Science: Materials and Resources (3 cr)
CI 5701—Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School (2 cr)
CI 5821—Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (2 cr)
CPSY 5251—Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3 cr)
CPSY 5252—Facilitating Social and Physical Learning in Early Childhood Education (3 cr)
CPSY 5253—Facilitating Cognitive and Creative Learning in Early Childhood Education (3 cr)
EPSY 5609—Family-Centered Services (2 cr)
EPSY 5616—Behavior Analysis and Classroom Management (3 cr)
EPSY 5625—Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Introduction (2 cr)
EPSY 5681—Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Methods and Materials (3 cr)

Student teaching experiences

CI 5181—Clinical Experience in Elementary School Teaching (8 cr)
CPSY 5281—Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (3-6 cr)
EPSY 5753—Student Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education (3 cr each, 6 cr total) (two student teaching experiences required)

M.Ed. completion

One additional course plus a final integrative paper or experience is required for the M.Ed. degree. Students register for one of the following courses. Either course may be taken at any time during the program.

CPSY 4334W—Children, Youth in Society (4 cr)
or CPSY 5413—Early Childhood and Public Policy (3 cr)

After all licensure requirements are completed successfully, students register for one of the following courses and work with their faculty adviser to determine the subject, content, and methodology for their integrative paper or experience.

CI 5187—Practicum: Improvement of Teaching in Elementary or PreKindergarten Schools (2-3 cr)
or EPSY 5991—Independent Study in Educational Psychology (2 cr)

See course descriptions and course schedules.

Admission criteria

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

Knowledge of content area—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area (see Content area page for a list of prerequisite courses).
Personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. Bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time of matriculation.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to obtain the following paid or unpaid experiences:

Classroom experience with young children
Cultural and other diversity experience

How to apply

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope. Any student with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor's name and phone number
- Description of activities
- Description of the cultural background of the population with which you worked
Personal Statement that describes your experiences working with children and/or youth and how it has affected your decision to become a teacher. Include cultural and other diverse experiences that have contributed to your development. Reflect on the innovative ways you have contributed or will contribute to the profession. Also, elaborate on your understanding of the process of effective teaching (e.g., classroom management, accommodating different learning styles, and working with special-needs children). Limit your essay to two double-spaced pages, with size-12 font and one-inch margins.
Two letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system) addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a K-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)

Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test	100
Computer-based test	250
Paper-based test	600

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.

International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.

Apply Online

Apply Online
Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
Take your time and follow instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
As your application is reviewed, you will receive e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

This program has two application deadlines per year, as listed below.

Summer or fall enrollment

February 1—Application materials due.
March—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid
March/April—Committee review of applications
Mid-April—Notification of admission decisions
May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)
Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration
June 1 (summer enrollment)/September 1 (fall enrollment)—Completion of Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST or CBT)
Early June—Summer term begins
Early September—Fall semester begins

Spring enrollment

October 1—Application materials due for spring enrollment.
October—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid
October/November—Committee review of applications
Mid-November—Notification of decisions
Late November—Orientation
January 1—Completion of Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST or CBT)
Mid-January—Spring semester begins

Before you begin the program

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments
Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practicums, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.