Masters of Education in Teaching the Developing Child
Purpose of Degree
The focus of the M.Ed. in Teaching for the Developing Child is to become a master educator. The mission of our Master’s program is to guide educators to become leaders who apply research and best practice theory to make reflective and synergistic decisions that consistently support and extend the learning of all students. Through the core courses and individualized experiences, candidates are able to create a vision of themselves as reflective, synergistic decision makers.
National accreditation of the program:
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Program of Study
Prerequisites required:
Master’s degree candidates must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in their bachelors’ program
Candidates must have a 3.0 overall and major GPA in their undergraduate programs. Candidates must submit all necessary documents required by the Graduate Studies Application, a Professional Goals Statement that reflects professional objectives for the program and two professional letters of recommendation.
Plan of Study
The Master of Education in Teaching the Developing Child program requires 33 credit hours, including core courses (15 credits) and courses in an area of concentration (12 credits) and electives (6 credits). Many courses are offered in both on-line and traditional classroom settings.
The concentration area includes a focus of 12 credits and an addition six credits of education electives that are chosen to meet the student’s professional needs and personal interests. Students in collaboration with the graduate coordinator may design a concentration area that meets their professional needs and personal interests. The 18 credits of the concentration and electives are selected by the graduate student (in collaboration with the graduate coordinator) from one of the focus areas available for in-depth study.
The M.Ed. program supports the Advanced Teacher Education Conceptual Framework, developed by the ESU Teacher Education faculty. Core courses present research-based concepts related to teaching and learning as well as introduce various tools of inquiry. Concentration courses extend the master teacher’s ability to articulate, apply, and adapt theoretical constructs to the classroom setting.
Final Graduation Requirement
Students select one of the following exit criteria to complete the M.Ed. program: Professional Portfolio, Curriculum Project, or Action Research.
The planning and developing of the Comprehensive Evaluation is an integral part of ELED 575, Graduate Seminar, a course taken between 24-27 credits.
At the end of graduate course work, the master teacher candidate will be able to demonstrate reflective, collaborative, and creative teaching practice and professional leadership qualities. A student may have a maximum of six credits of workshop courses included in a plan of study.
Core Courses - 15 credits required
| ELED 502 | Understanding the Developing Child | 3 credits |
| ELED 570 | Introduction to Research | 3 credits |
| ELED 575 | Graduate Seminar | 3 credits |
| DMET 510 | Online Tools and Strategies for Learner-Centered Instruction | 3 credits |
Concentration Courses - 18 credits required
The student shall, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, complete 12 graduate credits in one of the following focus areas:
- Early Childhood Education (PK-4)
- Middle School Education (4-8)
- Student Design
The Arts
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 512 | Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 525 | Creative Drama | 3 credits |
Early Childhood
| ELED 574 | Problems and Issues in Early Childhood Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 589 | Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs | 3 credits |
English Language Arts
| ELED 506 | Second Language Acquisition and Development | 3 credits |
| ELED 507 | Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity | 3 credits |
| ELED 508 | Applied Linguistics for ESL Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 509 | Instructional Methods, Materials, and Assessments for ELL | 3 credits |
| ELED 510 | English Language Learner (ELL) Family and Community Matters | 2 credits |
| ELED 511 | State and Federal Issues Regarding ELL Students | 2 credits |
Language Arts
| ELED 520 | Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts | 3 credits |
| ELED 521 | Children’s Literature for Advanced Students | 3 credits |
| ELED 523 | Diversity in Children’s Literature | 3 credits |
| ELED 545 | Bookarts | 3 credits |
Math
| ELED 540 | Constructivist Approaches to teaching Mathematics | 3 credits |
| ELED 542 | Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics | 3 credits |
Science
| ELED 531 | Life Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 532 | Physical Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 534 | Seminar in Elementary School Science | 3 credits |
Social Studies
| ELED 535 | Classroom Diversity | 3 credits |
| ELED 550 | Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies | 3 credits |
Research
| ELED 569 | Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 1 credit |
| ELED 571 | Research Problems | 1 credit |
| ELED 572 | Thesis I | 3 credits |
Additional Courses
| ELED 505 | Managing the Learning Environment | 3 credits |
| ELED 533 | Designing and Implementing Programs for Professional Development | 3 credits |
| ELED 544 | International Collaborative Learning Project | 1 - 3 credits |
| ELED 549 | Reducing Classroom Conflict | 3 credits |
| ELED 553 | Teaching and Motivation | 3 credits |
| ELED 556 | Cooperative Learning - Learning Teams in Action | 3 credits |
| ELED 557 | Reducing Stress in the Classroom | 3 credits |
| ELED 569 | Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 1 credit |
| ELED 577 | IS: | 3 credits |
| ELED 582 | Discipline in the Classroom | 3 credits |
Admissions deadlines
| Fall: |
March 15 |
| Spring: |
Sept. 15 |
| Summer: |
Jan. 15 |
Graduate Assistantships:
Graduate assistantships are available through the department. These are awarded based upon merit and achievement to full-time students in the graduate program.
Graduate assistants do not teach classes, but complete projects and tasks assigned by professors.
The graduate assistantship is awarded for the first year of full-time study, with the possibility of extension through the first summer. Prospective students should apply for a graduate assistantship at the time of original application to the program, using the application form online.
Full consideration will be given to those students who meet the application deadlines. Candidates will be selected and interviewed by the department chair and/or graduate coordinator.
Please contact the department chair and/or graduate coordinator at 570-422-3356 for additional information.