Teaching: Early Childhood Education M.S.Ed.

CIP: 131210

Program Admission Requirements

1. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript or an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.25 GPA on eight hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
2. GRE requirements:
   1. New teachers (one–two years of teaching experience) or international students – take and pass GRE (minimum combined score of 280 on the verbal and quantitative sections).
3. Alternative GRE requirement for experienced teachers:
   1. In-service teachers (with more than two years of teaching experience – PRAXIS II or Missouri Content Assessment score and one letter of recommendation from a current administrator who has completed a performance-based annual evaluation of the candidate’s ability).
   2. In-service teachers who were certified prior to the PRAXIS II or Missouri Content Assessment requirement – submit two letters of recommendation (one from a current administrator and one from a professional colleague; the administrator must have completed a performance-based annual evaluation of the applicant’s ability).
4. Score of 3.5 or above on the writing component of the GRE, or successful completion of a supervised writing assessment conducted by the department during the first trimester of enrollment.

Course Requirements

This program is designed for students who wish to gain advanced training in the specialized field of early childhood education for children birth to age eight.

Core Requirements (6)

EDUC 61649	Issues in Education	3
	OR
EDUC 61695	Philosophy of Education	3
EDUC 61682	Improvement of Instruction through Action Research	2
EDUC 61683	Action Research Paper	1

Subject Field Requirements (17-18)

EDCI 62542	Curriculum and Methods in Early Childhood Special Education	3
EDCI 62617	Early Childhood Program Evaluation	3
EDCI 62618	The Reflective Practitioner: Seminar and Practicum in Teaching Early Childhood	3
PSYC 08627	Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology	3
EDCI 62602	Supervision of Early Childhood Programs	3
EDCI 62630	Field Experience in Early Childhood	3 to 4

Prescribed Electives and/or courses required for certification (7-8)

(see advisor for certification requirements and approved electives)

Total Credit Hours: 32

The M.S.Ed. in Teaching Early Childhood does not lead to certification in Early Childhood Education. Individuals interested in obtaining initial certification should see their advisor for additional course requirements.