Program Description

The M.Ed. with a major in Elementary & Early Childhood Education is designed for candidates who are already certified and are practicing P-5 teachers who wish to continue to learn more about the Elementary field and improve their practice. The program allows certified teachers in Elementary education (P-5) to earn their M.Ed. in 12 months while continuing their teaching career. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Apply their knowledge of the social, historical, and political nature of teaching to examine issues related to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, ability, language, socio-economic factors, and other aspects of intersectional identities that impact this process.
2. Use the principles of asset-based pedagogies to explore diverse cultural identities and to analyze related social, historical, and political issues impacting education.
3. Examine critical issues and challenges in early childhood and elementary education using knowledge of disciplinary theories, creative inquiry, innovation, and evidenced-driven research.
4. Reflect critically upon data as part of a recursive process when planning, implementing, and assessing evidence of effective teaching, learning, and development.
5. Apply their knowledge of student learning styles to cultivate partnership environments and methods of support with students and families.
6. Evaluate and select ethical educational resources, and scholarly research for accuracy, validity, and varied social and cultural contexts.
7. Use evidence-based, discipline-specific knowledge and pedagogy to facilitate inquiry that supports learning for all.
8. Identify a critical educational issue and communicate knowledge of the issue and topic through effective writing and digital communication.

This program is a part of the Leland and Clarice C. Bagwell College of Education .

Accreditation

The Master of Education with a major in Elementary and Early Childhood Education meets the Georgia Professional Standards Commission standards for the degree.

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The M.Ed. with a major in Elementary & Early Childhood Education is designed for accomplished classroom instructional leaders. The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• A copy of your valid teaching certificate indicating B-K or P-5 certification. You must hold certification in Early Childhood or Elementary Education to be considered for this program or receive permission of the chair. 
• Two administrator recommendation forms. These forms and their directions are located in the online graduate application. Please do not submit letters of recommendation. Only the forms located via the graduate application will be accepted. These two forms of recommendation must come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator. 

Admission to a cohort group is competitive and is open to a limited number of candidates. An applicant will not be considered for admission unless all application requirements are met by the specified deadline. There is no provisional admission status. 

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

Students classified as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in the Elementary and Early Childhood, M.Ed. This program will not provide graduate level course work for certification renewal purposes.

Transfer Credit

Graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator or department chair. A maximum of 25% of transfer credit (with grades of “B” or higher) may be applied toward a degree program. No courses will be accepted for transfer credit if they are more than five years old at the time of evaluation. Transfer credit includes all course work accepted into the M.Ed. program prior to admission in full standing (maximum nine semester hours), whether earned at another institution or at Kennesaw State University.

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements. 

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements