Early Childhood Education

About This Program
	Apply Inquire
	Admissions Contact Danielle Clough Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions dclough@springfield.edu (413) 748-3729
	Program Contact Eileen Cyr Graduate Coordinator Department of Education (413) 748-3312 ecyr@springfield.edu Valerie Annear Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure Office of Educator Prep and Licensure (413) 748-3146 vannear@springfield.edu
	Students may opt to pursue licensure only.
	The Office of Educator Prep and Licensure can help answer your teaching license questions.
	Explore the career outcomes
	Upcoming Events Stay tuned for information on upcoming events!

The MEd in Early Childhood Education prepares educators for initial licensure as an early childhood teacher who will work with students with or without special needs in PreK through grade 2.

Our curriculum features a semester-long, supervised practicum of 300 clock hours (100 hours at the PreK level and 200 hours at the grades 1-2 level), with at least one segment in a public school setting that includes students with disabilities for part of the school day. So, you’ll spend plenty of time in the classroom, inspiring young minds and making a difference before graduating ready to lead classrooms of your own.

A bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, sciences, or an interdisciplinary major prior to admission is required.

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Admissions Requirements

This program enrolls students in all terms.

Education Requirements
- Each course has a field-based component (this is usually 15-20 hours a week in a school).
- A transcript review of undergraduate and any prior graduate work is required prior to admission.

Complete the application form. No application fee.

Start your application process by completing the online application form. Be sure to complete your application by submitting all the required materials outlined in this section.

Graduate Admissions Essay

Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your essay.

In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College.

Resume

Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your resume.

Letters of Recommendation

This program requires two letters of recommendation. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.

Official Transcripts from All Institutions Previously/Currently Attended

An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required.
Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:

Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The staff in the Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

To submit materials:

After submitting your online application form you will receive user login credentials to access your student application portal. From that portal, you will be able to upload your graduate admissions essay and your resume. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload their letter to your application. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

Curriculum

CORE Research Requirements for Master of Education (M.Ed) (5-6 credits)

EDUC 626 - Education Research Project Credits: 3-Feb
(note: also requires successful completion of research project presentation)
RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3

Early Childhood Education (Teacher of Students With/Without Disabilities PreK - 2) licensure trac

The Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program in Early Childhood Education prepares early childhood educators to assume teaching positions in public schools, child care programs, private preschools and kindergartens, early intervention programs, family support and home visiting programs and inclusive early childhood settings. All students entering the program will be required to meet the content area requirements as identified by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In the Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program, early childhood educators gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to provide all young children (from preschool through second grade) the kind of early education they deserve. The program addresses the need for tomorrow’s teachers to be prepared to serve and to value a far more diverse group of young children and families than at any time in the past. Our program gives students the opportunity to student teach in inclusive early childhood settings which welcome young children with increasingly challenging disabilities and medical conditions. With the foundation provided by the required courses, including the pre-practicum and practicum field experiences, individuals completing the Graduate Initial Licensure Program in Early Childhood Education draw from a continuum of teaching strategies in order to support the learning and development of all children.

Prerequisites:
An undergraduate degree in the liberal arts or in a field related to early childhood education (e.g., Psychology); a broad background in coursework related to the primary grade knowledge of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; documented experience in working with children between the ages of three and eight and a course in child development. A transcript review will determine whether there are additional prerequisites.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Early Childhood Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams: