
	Description

	Degrees Offered

	Admission

	Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

		Early Literacy Track

		Educational Leadership Track

		Family, School and Community Track

		Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track

	Contact Info

Description

Program changes in response to State Board of Education Rule requirements are anticipated. These changes will include enhancements to qualify program graduates for the ESOL Endorsement in addition to teaching certification in this field. Students in this program should remain in close contact with their adviser to ensure that they keep abreast of these anticipated changes in program requirements.

The master’s degree programs in Early Childhood Education are designed to meet the needs of both prospective and practicing teachers through the delivery of relevant, rigorous course work and related academic experiences.

Students who already hold Early Childhood Certification may enroll in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program, which includes a full range of courses and the choice of two specialization tracks. Prospective teachers who do not hold certification in the area of early childhood may enroll in the Master of Arts (M.A.) Initial Certification Track, which leads to certification in this area. Students who hold elementary education certification and would like to add the Pre-Kindergarten Primary Certification may enroll in the Master of Arts (M.A.) Additional Certification Track.

In addition to fostering the professional development of certified early childhood teachers, this program will also serve as a bridge among schools and community agencies and will provide the educational experiences to nurture educational leaders who will work within and across these areas.

Degrees Offered

Early Literacy Track
Educational Leadership Track
Family, School and Community Track
Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track

Admission

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must provide:

A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution or from a recognized foreign institution, GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 maximum) while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student (normally based on the last sixty attempted semester hours), and competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (For M.Ed. applicants in lieu of the GRE, a GMAT score may be used for admission consideration).

In accordance with the Florida Statue 1004.04 and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066, applicants to graduate-level state-approved initial teacher program whose composite quantitative-verbal GRE score is less than 1000 must pass all four parts of the College Level Academic Skills Test or General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination for program admission. This applies to all applicants to the M.A. program.

Applicants to the M.Ed. program must either hold a current Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in the program’s subject area or have completed all requirements for that Professional Teaching Certificate. Applicants who have graduated from an accredited university or college teacher certification program in another state or country, in the appropriate subject and/or grade range, may also be admitted to the M.Ed. program at the discretion of the program director.

International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. International students, except those who are from countries where English is the only official language or those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, are required to submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before they can be admitted to the university. A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (or equivalent score on the paper-based test) is required unless otherwise specified by the program.

Additional Notes on Admissions

Students will be admitted to the program three times a year (in the fall, spring, and summer) and must apply for graduate admission by the application deadline established for this program. No admission decisions will be made using race, sex, or ethnic origin of the student. Students who do not meet published admission requirements may be admitted provisionally and will be interviewed by a faculty program committee whose recommendations will be forwarded to the master’s admission and retention committee in accordance with College of Education code for final admission action. Other admission factors that may be used in selecting students for provisional admission to the program are previous teaching experience or work (i.e., social service agencies) with pre-kindergarten or primary age children and their families.

Application Due Dates

All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.

U.S. Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Early Literacy Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Educational Leadership Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Family, School and Community Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

International Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Early Literacy Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Educational Leadership Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Family, School and Community Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

International Transfer Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Early Literacy Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Educational Leadership Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Family, School and Community Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

Minimum Hours Required for M.Ed.—36 Credit Hours

Core courses and track courses may be taken in any sequence preceding the capstone experience. The capstone experience serves as the culminating experience in the program of study and substitutes for the comprehensive examination.

The M.Ed. program requires a practicum. Practica are independent learning activities that take place in authentic settings in which students must apply, reflect on, and refine knowledge and skills acquired in the program.

Area A: Core—9 Credit Hours

EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 5205 Programs and Trends in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)

Area B: Specialization Tracks—24 Credit Hours

Select one track for admission into the program. Twelve additional hours will be selected in consultation with your adviser.

Early Literacy Track—12 Credit Hours

EEC 6216 Communicative Arts in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6XXX Early Childhood Children’s Literature (3 credit hours)
LAE 6616 Trends in Language Arts Education (3 credit hours)
RED 6116 Trends in Reading Education (3 credit hours)

Educational Leadership Track—12 Credit Hours

EDA 6061 Organization and Administration of Schools (3 credit hours)
EDA 6931 Contemporary Issues in Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)
EDS 6123 Educational Supervisory Practices I (3 credit hours)
EEC 6525 Early Childhood Program Administration (3 credit hours)

Family, School, and Community Track—12 Credit Hours

EEC 6405 Home-School-Community Interaction in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6406 Guiding and Facilitating Social Competence (3 credit hours)
EEC 6947 Practicum in Family Liaison Building (3 credit hours)
EEX 5750 Communication with Parents and Agencies (3 credit hours) or EEC 6263 Studies in Curriculum Environments for Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)

Pre-Kindergarten Handicapped Endorsement Track—12 Credit Hours

EEX 5702 Planning Curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten Children with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
EEX 5750 Communication with Parents and Agencies (3 credit hours)
EEX 6017 Typical and Atypical Applied Child Development (3 credit hours)
EEX 6224 Observation and Assessment of Young Children (3 credit hours)

Area C: Capstone Experience—3 Credit Hours

EEC 6XXX Master’s Seminar (Action Research) (3 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Initial Certification Track

Minimum Hours Required for M.A.—39 Credit Hours

Core courses and professional teaching certificate courses may be taken in any sequence preceding the graduate internship.

The M.A. program requires a portfolio of both reflective practice/analysis of professional development and demonstration of attainment of the pre professional level of performance for all twelve of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. Multiple artifacts and reflective analysis are required for each of the accomplished practices. In addition, all portfolios require a final reflective analysis of students’ overall learning and professional development as the capstone portfolio entry. All portfolio entries are critical components of learning since they are the primary means of accessing the professional development of students as reflective practitioners.

Area A: Core—6 Credit Hours

EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 credit hours)

Area B: Professional Teaching Certificate Courses—33-45 credit hours by program adviser consultation (dependent on undergraduate degree)

Historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives in early childhood education—3 Credit Hours

EEC 5205 Programs and Trends in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)

Child growth and development from conception to age eight—3 Credit Hours

EEX 6017 Typical and Atypical Applied Child Development (3 credit hours)

Developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving children ages three through five—9-18 Credit Hours

EEC 5206 Organization of Instruction in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 5208 Creative Activities in Early Childhood (3 credit hours)
EEC 6216 Communicative Arts in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6269 Play Development, Intervention, and Assessment (3 credit hours)
EEC 6263 Studies in Curriculum Environments for Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6XXX Early Childhood Children’s Literature (3 credit hours)
TSL 5345 Methods of ESOL Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5525 ESOL Cultural Diversity (3 credit hours)

Issues and practices to promote family and community involvement—3-6 Credit Hours

EEC 6405 Home-School-Community Interaction in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEX 5750 Communication with Parents and Agencies (3 credit hours)
EEC 6947 Practicum in Family Liaison Building (3 credit hours)

Health, nutrition, and safety for children ages three through five—3 Credit Hours

EEC 4731 Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children (3 credit hours)

Diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation—3 Credit Hours

EEX 6224 Observation and Assessment of Young Children (3 credit hours)

Special needs of all children and their families—6 Credit Hours

EEX 5051 Exceptional Children in the Schools (3 credit hours)
EEX 5702 Planning Curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten Children with Disabilities (3 credit hours)

Child guidance and classroom management—3 Credit Hours

EEC 6406 Guiding and Facilitating Social Competence (3 credit hours)

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

Required only for students who have less than one year of experience in early childhood settings (pre-kindergarten through grade three)
EEC 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours)

Additional Certification

Minimum Hours Required for M.A.—39 Credit Hours

Core courses and professional teaching certificate courses may be taken in any sequence preceding the graduate internship.

Area A: Core—6 Credit Hours

EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 credit hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 credit hours)

Area B: Professional Teaching Certificate Courses—33-45 credit hours by program adviser consultation

Historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives in early childhood education—3 Credit Hours

EEC 5205 Programs and Trends in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)

Child growth and development from conception to age eight—3 Credit Hours

EEX 6017 Typical and Atypical Applied Child Development (3 credit hours)

Developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving children ages three through five—9 Credit Hours

EEC 5206 Organization of Instruction in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 5208 Creative Activities in Early Childhood (3 credit hours)
EEC 6216 Communicative Arts in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6269 Play Development, Intervention, and Assessment (3 credit hours)
EEC 6275 Studies in Curriculum Environments for Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEC 6XXX Early Childhood Children’s Literature (3 credit hours)
TSL 5345 Methods of ESOL Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 5525 ESOL Cultural Diversity (3 credit hours)

Issues and practices to promote family and community involvement—3 Credit Hours

EEC 6405 Home-School-Community Interaction in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
EEX 5750 Communication with Parents and Agencies (3 credit hours)
EEC 6947 Practicum in Family Liaison Building (3 credit hours)

Health, nutrition, and safety for children ages three through five—3 credit hours

EEC 4731 Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children (3 credit hours)

Diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation—3 Credit Hours

EEX 6224 Observation and Assessment of Young Children (3 credit hours)

Special needs of all children and their families—6 Credit Hours

EEX 5051 Exceptional Children in the Schools (3 credit hours)
EEX 5702 Planning Curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten Children with Disabilities (3 credit hours)

Child guidance and classroom management—3 Credit Hours

EEC 6406 Guiding and Facilitating Social Competence (3 credit hours)

Area C: Internship—6 Credit Hours

EEC 6946 Graduate Internship (6 credit hours).

Additional Program Graduation Requirements

Complete a portfolio according to program guidelines. This portfolio requires demonstration of professional growth, reflection, and proficiency in the 12 Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
Pass all applicable sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

Financial Support

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Key points about financial support:

If you are interested in financial assistance, you are strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are awarded based on academic merit and therefore are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.