MAT in Early Childhood

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Early Childhood Education is a 36-credit program designed for individuals who are deeply committed to constructing developmentally appropriate practices for teachers of young learners. Students applying to this program seek to develop their role as a teaching professional in an early childhood setting. This graduate program will lead to a master's degree as well as an initial certification to teach P-3. Applicants to this program must hold a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts field (minimum of 60 credits of liberal arts), complete admission application, meet the admission requirements and submit score on the PRAXIS II Early Childhood Content Knowledge (test code 022). Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children.

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
At Montclair State University, a student with a baccalaureate degree may pursue an initial New Jersey teaching 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 512 Child Development I - One semester of child development or equivalent 3
SPCM 101 Fundamentals of 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 15
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
     
ECEL 518 Families, Communities, and Schools: Diversity, Culture and Democracy 3
OR
ECSE 508 Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities 3
 
Literacy Course(s): Select one of the following:
READ 507 Understanding Reading Comprehension 3
READ 519 Language and Early Literacy Development 3
READ 522 History of Literacy and Media 3
READ 524 Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms 3
READ 525 Literacies, Digital Technology and Learning 3
READ 600 Workshop in Contemporary Issues in Reading 3
 
Content/Methods Courses 9
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 in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 2
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
   
Student Teaching Semester  
Number Name Hours
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 5
OR
ECEL 514 In-service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 5
    (ECEL 514 replaces ECEL 511 for those already in full-time teaching positions)    
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
     
  Comprehensive Exam 0
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 36 credits
 
+ Check prerequisites ** This work program is to be used as a checklist for advising purposes. Students should consult with their advisor about the information on this page for further clarification and advisement.  


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 Exam 0022. 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.
  • All MAT students must register to take the Comprehensive Exam during the Clinical I semester. The exam is administered once in the spring and fall semesters. Registration for the fall exam is due October 1 and February 15 for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • 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 is March 1 for Fall placements and October 1 for Spring placement.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file the proper audit forms in the Registrar's Office October 1 for May graduation, March 1 for August graduation, and June 1 for January graduation.
  • 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.