Early Childhood Education
The Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I) at Shippensburg University includes options in early childhood education. The early childhood options are designed to provide advanced knowledge in child development from birth through age eight (or third grade) and at least one period of that age span: infants and toddlers, preschool and kindergarten age, and primary school (grades one through three) age. Emphasis is placed on working with young children and their families. Graduate students in the early childhood options will apply knowledge of child development, families and best teaching practices to a variety of educational settings including public school kindergarten and primary programs, preschool programs, Head Start, child care, parenting and family support programs.
National Recognition
Both the early childhood option and the early childhood certification programs have recently been awarded national recognition by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the premier national scholarly organization for early childhood education. This recognition is through the auspices of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the noted organization that accredits teacher preparation programs throughout the country. After rigorous review by a national panel, our early childhood programs were granted the highest level of national recognition, meeting 100% of the guidelines for early childhood teacher preparation. Of special note in the commentary from NAEYC were our strengths in the following areas: the infusion of family theories and family context throughout our courses, the strong emphasis on social and emotional development as well as application of this information to educational settings, and the interwoven concepts from child development theory and research throughout the program.
NCATE has demonstrated that quality teacher preparation makes a difference in student learning. Further, NCATE accreditation of teacher preparation programs makes a difference in teacher preparation that leads to differences in student learning. Graduates from NCATE accredited programs become competent, caring and highly qualified teachers.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I) Early Childhood options, a prospective student must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate overall grade point average of 2.75 or an approved score on the Miller Analogies Test. (A 3.0 grade point average is required for certification.)
- Submit an application and $30 application fee to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate work.
- Complete a questionnaire concerning teaching background and future goals.
- Submit three letters of reference.
- May be requested to come to campus for an interview.
- Please print the forms from the following links:
Three options are available:
- Option A: Master's degree in C & I with option in early childhood education.
- Option B: Master's degree in C & I and state certification in early childhood education (for students with existing state certification in elementary, special education, or middle school).
- Option C: Master's degree in C & I and state certification in early childhood education (for those without certification listed in Plan B).
Degree Requirements
The options in early childhood education emphasize child development and family theory and practice. Most courses will have a balance of theory, research, and practical application. A minimum of 36 credits is required for the M.Ed. without certification.
Option A
This option is for students desiring a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, early childhood education option.
Core Courses (18 credits)
- Focus on Curriculum & Assessment 3 crs.
- ECH 577 Early Childhood Curriculum & Assessment 3 cr.
- Focus on Effective Teaching & Leadership 6 crs.
- TCH 501 Strategies for Effective Teaching 3 cr.
- OR
- TCH 502 Strategies for Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 3 cr.
- AND
- ECH 563 Leadership in Early Childhood Education 3 cr.
- Focus on the Learner 6 crs.
- TCH 575 Advanced Child Development 3 cr.
- AND
- ECH 510 Including Young Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Education 3 cr.
- Focus on Research 3 crs.
- TCH 600 Elements of Research 3 cr.
- Early Childhood Specialization Courses (12 credits)
- ECH 520 Social & Emotional Development in Early Childhood 3 cr.
- ECH 530 Cognitive & Language Development in Early Childhood 3 cr.
- ECH 540 Families & Early Childhood Education 3 cr.
- TCH 609 Internship & Action Research Seminar 3 cr.
Electives with Advisement (6 credits)
- EEC 411 Introduction to Exceptionality 3 cr.
- ECH 460 Family, School & Community Partnerships 3 cr.
- ECH 470 Language Development, Literacy and Play 3 cr.
- ECH 490 or TCH 490 Special Topics 3 cr.
- RDG 528 Foundations of Literacy Development 3 cr.
- ECH 410 Physical Development/ Motor and Movement
3 cr.
- CH440 Gender Equity in Education (3 cr.)
- TCH 445 Strategies for Effective Classroom Management 3 cr.
- TCH 440 Gender Equity in Education 3 cr.
- TCH 612 & 613 Thesis I and II 6 cr.
Option B
This option is for students desiring state early childhood teaching certification and who already hold at least one of the following certifications: elementary, special education or middle school.
- Meet all requirements in Option A for the M.Ed. Must select RDG 528 and EEC 411 for electives unless similar courses are on transcript.
- Take the 12 credit hour early childhood block of courses:
- ECH 340 Preschool and Kindergarten Curriculum 3 crs.
- ECH 460 Family, School, and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education 3 crs.
- ECH 462 Practicum in Early Childhood Education 3 crs.
- ECH 470 Language Development, Literacy and Play 3 cr.
- (This practicum must be in a pre-primary educational setting.)
Option C
This option is for students desiring state early childhood teaching certification and who do not hold one of the certifications listed in Option B.
- Meet all the requirements for Option A for the M.Ed. Must select RDG 528 and EEC 411 for electives unless similar courses are on transcript.
- Meet all the requirements for Option B.
- Additional required courses:
- ECH 330 Primary Curriculum
- ECH 360 Assessment in Early Childhood Education
- EDU 495 Student Teaching (kindergarten and/or primary grades).
- Transcripts will be evaluated individually. Additional course work may be required to meet state certification requirements.
Special Resources
Shippensburg University has been educating teachers for more than 120 years; thus, teacher education is part of the very fabric of the university. A number of specialized curriculum laboratories are located on campus. A Curriculum Materials Center provides a wide range of resources: textbooks, multimedia kits, films and filmstrips, audio and videotapes and more. Also, the university maintains the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School, one of the finest demonstration laboratories in the country. The school serves a heterogeneous group of children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The SU Child and Family Center, located in the same facility as the Luhrs School, provides child care and family support to university faculty, staff, students and community members. Shippensburg Head Start serves preschool children and their families and is located in the Spiritual Center.
Mission Statement
The mission of early childhood education at Shippensburg University is to prepare professionals to plan, implement, and evaluate programs that serve children from birth through age eight and their families, including children with special developmental and learning needs. Settings for these programs may include centers, schools, or homes.
Goals
At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of theory and practice for planning and implementing programs for individual and groups of children.
- apply and analyze the core knowledge and to systematically develop appropriate curriculum for individual and groups of children.
- demonstrate capability to refine the core knowledge and evaluate and apply research to improve practice.
- develop and conduct assessments of individual children and groups.
- demonstrate understanding of family strengths and areas for support as they form authentic partnerships with families.
- reflect on practices that result in improved programming for young children and families.
- use strategies for effectively advocating for policies designed to improve conditions for children, families, and the profession.
- to contribute to continuing professional development in the field of early childhood education.
Testimonials
"The decision to pursue my Master's Degree in Early Childhood was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and it has had a profound influence on both my professional and personal life. I have sincerely enjoyed the program; each and every course I took has been useful and impacted what I do in my kindergarten classroom. I have grown personally, becoming more confident in myself and pursuing opportunities I never would have thought about in the past. The professors I have worked with throughout my attendance have been wonderfully supportive. I highly recommend the Early Childhood Master's Degree program!"
Karim Powanda
Teacher
Chambersburg Area School District
"My experiences as a graduate student enrolled in the Early Childhood program at Shippensburg University have been fulfilling, informative, and beneficial to my teaching career. I recommend the program to any primary grade educator wishing to continue his or her education."
Erin Malick
First Grade Teacher
Big Spring School District
"The graduate program has provided a rejuvenation in my teaching abilities and opportunities for further professional growth and experiences. The faculty with whom I have worked are experts in their fields and relate their knowledge base to the students with ease and understanding. I am filled with interest and enthusiasm each week as I attend class and participate in discussions that are relevant and meaningful to my work as an educator. The Early Childhood program shares the passion that I hold for young children and their learning, growing, and development."
Jennifer Chestnut
Former Primary Looping Teacher
East Pennsboro School District
Doctoral Student
Faculty
James R. Johnson, Ed.D., dean, College of Education and Human Services.
Christine A. Royce, Ed.D., chair, Department of Teacher Education, Temple University. Kent Chrisman, Ed.D., University of Louisville, Educational Supervision. jkchri@ship.edu
Donna Couchenour, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Human Development and Family Studies. dlcouc@ship.edu
Rebecca Ward, Ph.D., Oregon State University, Human Development and Family Studies. rjward@ship.edu