MASTER'S DEGREE

IN

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

PROGRAM ADVISEMENT GUIDE

EFFECTIVE:   February 2007

 DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUCTION AND TEACHER EDUCATION

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

Master of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education

The Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide advanced professional studies in graduate level coursework for persons who currently hold teacher certification and who are committed to excellence in early childhood education.  Graduates of this degree program will not be recommended for initial certification/licensure.

Program Goals

The major goal for the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is to further the skills of "Teachers as Professional Leader" through the attainment of the following objectives:

1) To develop knowledge and understanding of basic curriculum models, including historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations.

2) To develop analysis, synthesis, and evaluative skills in application to the research and evaluation literature in early childhood education.

3) To develop knowledge of human development in various ecological contexts and to apply that knowledge to programming in early childhood education.

4) To develop skills in the assessment, analysis and improvement of instructional skills.

5) To develop advocacy and leadership skills in curriculum design, implementation and evaluation for early childhood education settings.

6)  To develop knowledge and skills for working effectively with parents and families, thus empowering them to be life long learners.

Each goal is delineated more specifically in course objectives that are integrated into course outlines.

Admissions

Applications for admission to the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education are processed like all applications for graduate programs at the University of South Carolina. Application packets may be picked up at the Graduate School or in the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Education in Wardlaw 113. Admission is based on the student's total professional profile and all recommendations are made by the Early Childhood Admissions Committee. In recognition of the broad range of talents contributing to and necessary for success in the teaching profession, the Early Childhood Admission Committee will use a professional profile which includes an Application to Graduate School, recommendations, transcripts, certification, and an acceptable score on the Millers Analogies Test or an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination and may also include one or more of the following:

1) Successful experience in teaching in an appropriate area.

2) Successful performance in Graduate Studies

3) Successful performance in an area related to teaching (the arts, other helping professions, community activities, professional organizations, etc.).

Successful performance in items 1, 2, and 3 may be documented in an interview, by letters of reference, letter of explanation, or other appropriate exhibits directed to the Admission Committee.

Advisement

Upon admission to the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, each student will be assigned an official advisor. The official advisor will assist in designing the Program of Study. The Program of Study form is available in the Office of Student Affairs (Wardlaw 113) in the College of Education. To make an appointment for advisement call 803-777-5129.

Curriculum

The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is composed of the following components:  1) Core Required Courses, 2) Specialized Early Childhood Requirements, 3) Technology Course, 4) Research, Measurement, or Assessment Course, 5) Related Study, and 6) Required Final Seminar. A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate study is required in completing the degree. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education Program of Study is outlined on the following page. Complete course descriptions are in the USC Graduate Bulletin.

Program of Study Deadline

Master's and Certificate Candidates:  A student's Program of Study must be filed with the Graduate School no later than one year (four terms) after being fully admitted.  Further registration will be blocked if the Program of Study is not on file by that time.

Assessment

Continual assessment occurs in all courses taken as a part of the program and students are expected to develop a profile of their professional experiences over the timespan of the program. A comprehensive examination is administered in EDEC 797 to evaluate student attainment of program goals. The comprehensive examination is to be taken in the last 12 semester hours of coursework. A Portfolio of Professional Development (See Attachment) is required as a part of EDEC 797.

Retention

Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students should see the USC Graduate Bulletin for additional requisites for maintaining good standing in graduate school.  While enrolled in the core courses of study, writing samples will be evaluated and, where appropriate, students may be required to gain increased competence in their writing skills.

 Course of Studies

The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education  is composed of the following components:  1) Core Required Courses,

2) Specialized Early Childhood Requirements, 3) Technology, 4) Research, Evaluation, and Measurement,

5) Related Study,  6) Required Final Seminar

Core Required Courses                                                                                                  15 Semester Hours

EDEC 608 - Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Education                                                      3

EDEC 740 - The Young Child:  Applying Theory and Research                                                     3

EDEC 742 - Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curricula and Program Models                         3

EDEC 744 - Advanced Study of Language Development and Communication Skills in ECE          3

EDEC 750 - Play Theory and Early Learning                                                                                  3

Specialized Early Childhood Requirements                                                                       6 Semester Hours

EDEC 794 - Types of Early Childhood Centers                                                                                3

or

EDEC 745 - Emergent Literacy                                                                                                          3

or

EDEC 810 - Special Topics in Early Childhood Education                                                               3

or

EDEL 670 - Language Arts in the Elementary School                                                                         3

(or another early childhood course approved by an early childhood advisor)

or

EDTE 779 - Multicultural Issues of Education                                                                                    3

Technology                                                                                                                            3 Semester Hours

EDEC 795 - Technology in Early Childhood Education                                                                       3

or

EDTE 731 - Integration of Technology and Instruction                                                                         3

or

(Another course approved by advisor in advance)                                                                                                

Research and Measurement  in Education                                                                           3 Semester Hours

EDRM 700 - Introduction to Research in Education                                                                              3

or

EDRM 720 - Educational Measurement                                                                                                 3

or

(Another course approved by advisor in advance)                                                                                                

Related Study                                                                                                                          6 Semester Hours

Courses outside the program area which support the student's professional goals in Early Childhood Education and that are approved in advance by the advisor.

_____        ________________________________________________________                              3

_____        ________________________________________________________                              3

Required Final Seminar                                                                                                           3 Semester Hours

EDEC 797 - Seminar in Early Childhood Education                                                                              3

This is the seminar that prepares the student for their comprehensive examination and should be taken during the last 12 semester hours of coursework.

Total                                                                                                                                       36 Semester Hours