Course requirements for students entering the program in spring of 2006 or after are available in the document below:
Master's in Early Childhood (Birth - Grade 2)
The information below applies to current students only.
About the Program
Teachers with New York State initial teaching certification in childhood education or provisional teacher certification in elementary education may apply for admission to the master’s program in early childhood education. Students who successfully complete this master of science in education program may apply for professional teaching certification (for those with initial certification) or permanent teaching certification (for those with provisional certification) from the New York State Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum
cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), or a minimum combined quantitative/verbal score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
2. A New York State Certificate of Qualification (CQ) or provisional certification in elementary education, or initial certification in childhood education. Recent graduates or those who are just completing their undergraduate programs at the time of application should write in the anticipated date of certification on the admission application. Submit a copy of certification to the Elementary Education and Reading Department by the time of application for degree candidacy (after completing 6 credits and before completing 12 credits).
3. A word-processed statement addressing the following:
a) Professional goals for the specific program of application.
b) Related professional experiences.
Statements will be evaluated according to the following criteria: organization,
conventions of language, content.
Note: Please sign and date the statement.
4. Three letters of reference on special department forms that attest to the applicant’s potential as a graduate student. Please note that two references must be from college professors/instructors. Department forms may be downloaded at www.buffalostate.edu/graduateschool/admissions.
5. Supplemental application forms for this program may be downloaded from the Graduate School Web site.
These are the minimum criteria for admission; satisfaction of these criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Seminar (3 credits)
EDU 501 Seminar for the Reflective Teacher (to be taken early in the program)
Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Courses (6 credits)
Required:
EDU 528 Families and Early Childhood Programs
Select one course from the following:
EDF 641 Social Foundations of Education
EDF 645 Social Influences on Teaching and Learning
EDU/EXE 577 Teaching Individuals with Exceptionalities in Regular Classroom
EDU 620 Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary School Classrooms
EXE 500 Individuals with Special Needs (cannot be taken by Buffalo State graduates)
SOC 506 Minority Groups in American Culture
Foundation Courses (3 credits)
Select one course from the following:
EDF 503 Educational Psychology
EDF 528 Human Relations
EDF 611 Evaluation in Education
Curriculum Courses (6 credits)
EDU 543 Curriculum for the Young Child (taken before methods and practicum courses)
EXE 650 Assessment of Infants and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Literacy Courses (6 credits)
Select two courses from the following:
EDU 513 Survey of Basic Concepts of Elementary Reading Instruction
EDU 611 Literacy in the Primary Grades
EDU 612 Developing Literacy through Literature
Methods and Practicum Courses (6 credits)
EDU 616 Integrating Theory and Practice in Programs for Infants and Toddlers
EDU 626 Integrating the Content Areas in the Teaching of Young Children (taken in the semester before or concurrent with EDF 689 and EDU 690)
Research and Master’s Project (6 credits)
EDF 689 Methods and Techniques of Educational Research
EDU 690 Master’s Project
Total Required Credit Hours (36 credits)
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.