Post-Baccalaureate Program in Early Childhood Education

Coordinator: Dr. Nancy Lauter
Office: University Hall, Room 3187
Phone: (973) 655-4243
Email: lautern@mail.montclair.edu

The Post Baccalaureate Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education (P-3) is a 24 credit program designed to provide graduate students with initial certification to teach Preschool through third grade (P-3). Students who apply to this program must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, including a minimum of 60 liberal arts credits. In addition, applicants must providm. It ie evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children and be permitted admission to the Teacher Education Progras expected that students in the program will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.

Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program is one of the most highly-regarded teacher preparation programs in the country. It has been consistently recognized both nationally and regionally for its unique features, including its structure, partnerships, and curricular emphases. The program is considered a model for other colleges and universities and has continuously been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.

The Teacher Education Program’s professional course sequence and field experiences emphasize teaching for critical thinking and culturally responsive teaching. The professional component for both graduate students addresses four broad areas: 1) student development and learning, 2) the classroom and the school, 3) the curriculum, and 4) effective teaching skills.

 

Graduate Initial Teaching Certification Brochure
ing certification, and a fully-certified teacher may obtain additional teaching field endorsements or advanced certification.

View Program Brochure - Graduate Initial Teaching Certification

Course Requirements:

The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2009. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.

Prerequisite Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 214 Child Development I - One semester of child development or equivalent (birth-middle-childhood) 3
FCST 512 Child Development I - Theories of Child Development or equivalent 3
CMST 101 Fundamental Speech Communication or equivalent 3
  Physiology & Hygiene (State certification requirement; approved course or exam offered by the Center of Pedagogy)  
  Completion and passing score on PRAXIS II Early Childhood Content Knowledge (test code 022)  
 
Core Courses 9
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on EC/EL Education in a Diverse Society (10hrs fld exp) 3
ECEL 518 Families, Communities, and Schools: Diversity, Culture & Democracy 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
 
Content/Methods Courses (select one) 3
Number Name Hours
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Mathematics Education in the Elementary School 3
 
Professional Sequence Courses 12
Semester Before Student Teaching
  Students must apply to the Center of Pedagogy for a Clinical placement the semester prior to their Clinical experience. Due dates are 3/1 for September placement and 10/1 for January. These deadlines are strictly adhered to by the Center of Pedagogy.  
Number Name Hours
ECEL 528 Early Childhood Curriculum in Inclusive Settings 3
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Setting 2
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classroom 1
 
Student Teaching Semester
Number Name Hours
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
 
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 5
OR
ECEL 514 In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 5
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 24 credits

Admission Information:

All candidates must meet application and admission requirements as defined by The Graduate School.

Additional Student Responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
  • Students are responsible for completing the Physiology and Hygiene requirement and Speech requirement for state certification.
  • Early Childhood Certification requires passing PRAXIS II Early Childhood Content Knowledge (test code 022). Information on the PRAXIS test is available in the Center of Pedagogy office in University Hall.
  • Any student who has not completed the equivalent of one semester of child development as an undergraduate must take the course at the graduate level.
  • It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the Graduate Catalog and the current Center of Pedagogy Teacher Education Handbook.
  • Students are required to apply to the Center of Pedagogy for Clinical I placement the semester before placement begins. The deadline to apply is March 1 for September placement and October 1 for January placement.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file the proper audit forms in the Registrar's Office October 1 for May completion, March 1 for August completion, and June 1 for January completion.
  • Applications for Certification are required to be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the following period: October 15 to November 15 for January graduation, March 15 to April 15 for May graduation, and July 1 to August 1 for August graduation.
  • Any variation from this work program must be approved by the Graduate School through the proper filing of a substitution form.