College of Education

Early Childhood Education - UACM - M.Ed.

Urban Accelerated Certification and Master’s Program (UACM) - A GA TAPP Alternative Certification Program

This initial certification program for the major in Early Childhood Education prepares teachers to work with young children (birth to 10 years) in urban environments.  The Georgia State University's UACM (a GTAPP program) is a two year alternative certification program at the Master's degree level for individuals who have an undergraduate degree or higher in an area other than education and are interested in teaching in urban elementary schools. Candidates in our program spend the first year as full-time students taking courses and completing field experiences in schools in the metro Atlanta area. Pending review and approval of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in October 2009, this program will qualify candidates who have successfully met all requirements will be recommended to the state for certification in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K through 5th grade) with an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement at the end of the first year. During the second year of the program, candidates have paid full-time teaching positions in high-needs urban elementary schools in the Atlanta metro area and take classes at night to complete their Master's degree in Education. The UACM program is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education's Transition to Teaching Program. Through this grant a one-time stipend of $5000 is awarded to all UACM students entering the program, with a signed, three-year service agreement to teach in a high-needs school.

Program Admission
In addition to the College of Education graduate degree admission requirements, applicants for this program must have earned a minimum of 2.75 grade-point average calculated on all college work completed. Applicants must also participate in interviews conducted by faculty and school-based personnel. The Department of Early Childhood Education reserves the right to specify additional criteria for applicants. Course work is offered in a fixed sequence beginning summer (May) session and runs for six consecutive terms. Successful completion of Phase I of the program (51 prerequisite semester hours) and a passing score on the GACE Content Assessments in Early Childhood Education and the GACE Computer Skill Competency leads to a recommendation for initial certification (T-4) and an ESOL Endorsement.

Applicants who are recommended to Phase II and successfully complete all requirements of the program (30 semester hours) will earn a  Master's of Education degree. During Phase II, each applicant is required to be employed as a full-time teacher in an urban classroom and participate in mentoring experiences. The applicant may not complete Phase II course work prior to recommendation to the program. No Prerequisite course work may be counted toward fulfillment of the M.Ed. Admission to the program occur once a year with applications due by February 1. For a detailed description of departmental requirements, please refer to the UACM Program Manual available from the Department of Early Childhood Education or through the link at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase I: Prerequisites 2008-2009
Summer Semester
ECE 6360 Culturally - Responsive Pedagogy (6)
ECE 6370 Classroom Management and Instruction (3)
ECE 6380 Foundation of Literacy Instruction for Young Children (3)
ECE 6390 Foundations of Learning and Teaching Mathematics (3)
EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3)

Fall Semester
ECE 6385 Teaching Literacy to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners I (3)
ECE 6391 Teaching Mathematics, Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Five I (3)
ECE 6395 Child Growth and Development in Urban Education (3)
ECE 6655 Student Teaching I (3)
ECE 6657 ESOL Student Teaching (Available fall and spring semesters) (2)

Spring Semester
ECE 6365 Culture, Community, and Schools (3)
ECE 6375 Critical Issues in Urban Education (3)
ECE 6386 Teaching Literacy to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners II (3)
ECE 6387 ESOL: Language Acquisition (3)
ECE 6392 Teaching Mathematics, Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Five II (2)
ECE 6405 Science and Social Studies in the Urban Classroom (3)
ECE 6656 Student Teaching II (3)

Total prerequisite hours: minimum of 51 semester hours

Exit Requirements:

• Completion of all required course work with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average.
• Successful completion of the GACE Content Assessments in the Early Childhood Education licensure area.
• Demonstration of satisfactory proficiency on the PSC approved computer skill competency test or its equivalent (IT 3210, IT 7360).
• Successful completion of Student Teaching I and Student Teaching II with grades of “B” or higher.

Phase II: Program Degree Requirements 2008-2009
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education UACM

A. Professional Studies (9)
EPY 7090 The Psychology of Learning and Learners: The Young Child (3)
EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)
EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)

B. Teaching Field/Internship (18)
ECE 6415 Curriculum Integration and Assessment: Social Studies and Literacy (3)
ECE 6416 Curriculum Integration and Assessment: Science and Mathematics (3)
ECE 6660 Mentorship in the Urban Classroom I (3)
ECE 6661 Mentorship in the Urban Classroom II (3)
ECE 6830 Critical Theories and Research in Urban Education I (3)
ECE 6831 Critical Theories and Research in Urban Education II (3)

C. Capstone Experience (3)
ECE 6800 Urban Education Capstone Seminar (3)

Program total: minimum of 30 semester hours
Exit Requirements:

• Completion of all required course work with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average.
• Successful completion of Mentorship in the Urban Classroom I and II (ECE 6660 and ECE 6661) with a grade of “B” or higher.
• Successful completion of the capstone experience.

UACM Program Brochure (PDF)
UACM Program Manual (PDF)

Information for Current Students:

UACM Student Teaching Manual (PDF)
UACM Opening School Experience Handbook (PDF)