This innovative program consists of a sequence of courses and practica reflecting current training priorities for personnel serving young children and their families. These priorities include:
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice;
• Use of appropriate assessment and teaching strategies;
• Family-focused and culturally responsive services;
• Specialized skills to teach children with autism and low incidence disabilities; and
• Collaborative skills required to work with families and professionals.
The ECSE program includes practica opportunities that allow for supervised application of course content. Practicum experiences occur simultaneously with coursework, so that students are continually applying knowledge gained in coursework and developing competencies through real-life experiences. Practicum placements may include early intervention programs for infants and toddlers, public school preschool programs (self-contained and inclusive early childhood special education classrooms) and community-based preschool programs (private preschool or child care).
The program is for those who have already completed a Bachelors degree in a field other than education who want to obtain a Master’s of Teaching degree. It is designed for those without full-time teaching experience who wish to earn initial licensure. The Master’s Degree of Education (M.Ed.) is offered for individuals who already possess teacher licensure in an area other than ECSE and wish to improve their teaching skills. Both programs require two years of study. Graduates will be certified to teach young children with disabilities (birth through age five).
For more information, please consult the Teacher Education Student Handbook.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission, you must:
1. Possess an undergraduate degree with coursework in child learning and development.
2. Meet general studies requirements: 12 hours mathematics and science, 6 hours in English/composition/literature, 6 hours of historical studies across American history and world history or western civilization, as well as courses representing the humanities and the social sciences.
3. Complete the online application for admission and submit supporting materials, including official transcripts and test scores by February 15. (NOTE: applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with applications, but will need to provide official transcripts before they can matriculate.) Test scores include GREs that meet targets--at or above 450/150 (verbal), 530/145 (quantitative), 4.0 (analytical writing). Applicants must also submit test scores on ONE of the following:
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SATs taken prior to 4/1/95—score of 1000, with at least 450 verbal and 510 math; if taken after 4/1/95—score of 1100, with at least 530 verbal, 530 math, OR
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ACTs: taken prior to 4/1/95—score of 1100, with at least 450 verbal, 510 math; if taken after 4/1/95—composite score of 24, with at least 22 in math, 46 English Plus Reading score, OR
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PRAXIS I: 178 math, 178 reading, 175 writing or 532 composite score, OR
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VCLA: Reading and Writing as an optional assessment for the PRAXIS I reading and writing tests--writing subtest of 235, reading subtest of 235, composite score of 470--in combination with qualifying math scores from SATs and ACTs.
Application Due Date
Degree Requirements
Students should complete the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA) – 2 subtests—reading & writing—by the end of the 1st year (http://www.va.nesinc.com).
Although all Master of Teaching students are required to complete 5 credits in the Curry Participant Pool in each year of their program., ECSE students participate through the Research courses.
Students must be certified in CPR during student teaching and valid at graduation.
Teacher Licensure and Endorsement:
All students are required to apply for Virginia licensure and endorsement by February 1. When you apply for graduation, be sure to include on your application both your primary and secondary (if relevant) areas of endorsement. Clip licensure materials to this document. When the Office of Admissions receives word from the Registrar that degrees have been conferred, Joanne McNergney will sign off on your application for licensure and route all materials to you via snail mail so you can work directly with the VDOE to obtain licensure. The Curry Admissions Office will record your areas of endorsement on the enrolled student screen. That way, if you move to another location, she can use that information when you request a college verification form for another state. Information about the licensure application will be sent to you from the Curry Admissions Office.
Funding Opportunities
Students enrolled in the BAMT/PGMT program are eligible for numerous scholarships and awards selected by the teacher education faculty.
Typical Length of Study
Two years.
Full or Part Time:
Students studying for the PGMT are full-time students.
Course Overview
The following education classes must be taken in the designated semester, unless the Curry advisor approves a change.
YEAR 1
Fall Semester:
___EDIS 2011: Teaching Foundations: Birth-5 (3 credits)
___EDIS 2880: Field Experience: Teaching Young Children (1 credit)
___EDIS 5021: Assessment & Instruction: Birth-5 (3 credits)
___EDIS 3888: Field Experience: Infants & Toddlers (1 credit)
___EDIS 5058: Positioning, Handling and Self-care Skills (3 credits)
___EDIS 5000:The Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
___EDIS 5500: Research: Curry Speaker Series & Seminar (2 credits)
___By December 1, submit your Teaching Associateship Application (a form on which you request a student teaching placement) to the Office of Teacher Education.
Spring Semester:
___EDIS 5150: Collaborative Teamwork: Birth-5 (3 credits)
___EDIS 5500: Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)
___EDIS 5170: Families, Behavior Management & Social Issues: Birth-5 (3 credits)
___EDIS 4888: Field Experience: Families (1 credit)
___LING 5090: Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits)
___EDIS 5500: Research: Curry Speaker Series & Seminar (2 credits)
___EDIS 7100: Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)
___Complete the online module Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting and Responding for Virginia Educators.
___By May 1, take and pass the the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA). Print a copy of your scores for your personal records. You will need this document when you apply for licensure at the end of the program.
YEAR 2
Fall Semester
___If graduating in December, apply for graduation no later than October 1. On the Curry form, be sure list primary and secondary endorsements (If relevant). Take your application to Curry's Office of Admission (106 Bavaro Hall). Use a paperclip to attach copies of required licensure materials (e.g., test scores, College Verification Form, Request for Initial Licensure). Licensure documents can be found in on the VDOE website under "Application for a Virginia License". Make sure the address you list on licensure materials is the one where you will be receiving mail between December and February.
___If planning to enroll as a part-time (fewer than 12 cr.) during the spring, complete a Change of Status form and submit it to the Teacher Education Office by October 15.
_ _Become certified in CPR
___EDHS 7040: Linguistic and Cognitive Development (8-week course) (3 credits)
___EDLF 5000: Multicultural Education OR SOC 3410: Race & Ethnic Relations (3 credits)
___EDIS 5700: Positive Behavior Support (3 credits)
___EDIS 4888: Field Experience: ECSE Classroom (1 credit)
___EDIS 5500: Research: Curry Speaker Series & Seminar (2 credits)
___EDIS 5221: Reading Development (3 credits)
___EDLF 5010: Child Learning and Development (if needed) (3 credits)
Spring Semester:
___If graduating in May, apply for graduation no later than February 1. On the Curry form, be sure to list primary and secondary endorsements (if relevant). Take your application to Curry's Office of Admission (106 Bavaro Hall). Use a paperclip to attach copies of required licensure materials (e.g., test scores, College Verification Form, Request for Initial Licensure). Licensure documents can be found on the VDOE website under "Application for a Virginia License". Make sure the address you list on licensure materials is the one where you will be receiving mail between May and August.
___EDIS 5878: Student Teaching Seminar: Birth-5 (3 credits)
___EDIS 5888: Student Teaching in ECSE Settings (12 credits)
___EDIS 7991: Field Project (3 credits) (This class will be held in conjunction with EDIS 5878 to allow students to complete their research in their student teaching site under the supervision of their Seminar instructor)
Contacts
