Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education Concentration, M.Ed.

Kathleen Burriss, Program Director
(615) 898-2680
Kathleen.Burriss@mtsu.edu

The Department of Elementary and Special Education offers the Master of Education degree with a major in Curriculum and Instruction. The major in Curriculum and Instruction offers concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Elementary School Education, and Middle School Education. A specialization in inclusion education is available as is a specialization leading to initial licensure.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Education program are expected to score at least 386 on the Miller Analogies Test or 281 (current scale) or 700 (former scale) on the Graduate Record Examination or the minimum on a National Teachers Examination that meets Tennessee licensure standards.

Applicant must

have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA for full admission and 2.50 undergraduate GPA for conditional admission;
have elementary teaching licensure, the attainment of which may require additional undergraduate courses prior to the completion of the degree;
have an initial conference with an appropriate graduate advisor in the Department of Elementary and Special Education.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.shtml);
submit official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Principles of Learning and Teaching Exam (PRAXIS II), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT);
submit official transcripts of previous college work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education requires completion of a total of 33 hours. Candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive to be taken in the last semester of coursework (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education

Candidate must complete 33 hours in the following course of study:

Required Courses (9 hours)

ELED 6010 - The Teacher as Reflective Practitioner 3 credit hours
ELED 6340 - Introduction to Educational Research 3 credit hours
ELED 6370 - Education and Ethno-Cultural Diversity 3 credit hours

Specialized Core (12 hours)

See advisor for selection. Cognates include curriculum and instruction, research, mathematics, literacy, special education, and English language learners.

ELED 6090 - Creating Learning Environments for Young Children 3 credit hours

Electives (12 hours)

To be selected within the range of specialized courses or with the consent of the advisor.

Program Notes

Any course requiring admission to Teacher Education may require observations, case studies, or other time in K-6 classes.

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies after having completed 21 semester hours credit;
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.