Early Childhood Education -M.Ed. (Mathematics Education Program)

M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education with a K-5 Mathematics Endorsement

Program Coordinator - Dr.  Laura Smith

Questions should be directed to ecemail@gsu.edu.

The Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a K-5 Mathematics Endorsement in the Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE) at Georgia State University engages students in comprehensive exploration, research, and practice in elementary mathematics in today’s diverse classrooms.  The mission of the program is the development of highly qualified elementary teachers who understand mathematics and are teacher-leaders in establishing learner-centered classrooms consistent with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.   

Students who successfully complete the entire program of study receive a M. Ed. in Early Childhood Education with a K-5 Mathematics Endorsement.  As an admission requirement for the Master’s Degree program, students must hold a clear, renewable certificate, level 4 or higher in Early Childhood Education.  However, teaching experience is not a requirement for admission.  The program begins each semester and is a 36 semester hour program.  Courses may be taken in any sequence with the exception of ECE 7740 and ECE 7800 (see program of study below).  Courses are typically offered at traditional times in the College of Education Building with a few courses offered online.  Students complete 12 semester hours of courses in elementary mathematics plus a 3 semester hour internship that leads to a K-5 Mathematics Endorsement.     

Students may elect to only receive the K-5 Mathematics Endorsement.  In this case, students must successfully complete the endorsement courses (15 semester hours) and not the entire Master’s Degree program of study.  To only receive the endorsement, students must have a minimum of one year of teaching and hold a level 4 or higher clear renewable certificate in one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades - Mathematics, or Special Education General Curriculum/Early Childhood Education.  Other areas of Special Education are eligible to enroll if they have a core academic content concentration in mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

• Currently certified in Early Childhood Education. 
• Minimum 2.75 GPA in undergraduate program.
• Completion of the GRE. 
• Two or more letters of recommendation (one from current principal).
• Copy of PreK-5 certification.
• Transcripts from all undergraduate institutions. 

 Program Degree Requirements (Total semester hours = 36)  

Professional Studies (9)

• EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)
• EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)

Select one:

• EPY 7090 The Psychology of Learning and Learners: The Young Child (3)
• EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)

Teaching Field (21)*

•  ECE 7393 Number and Operation in the Elementary Classroom (3)
•  ECE 7394 Geometry and Measurement in the Elementary Classroom (3)
•  ECE 7395 Algebra in the Elementary Classroom (3)
•  ECE 7396 Data Analysis and Probability in the Elementary Classroom (3)
•  ECE 7740 Internship in Early Childhood Classroom I (3)
•  ECE 7390 Curriculum in the Early Childhood Classroom I (3)
•  ECE 7410 Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education I (3)

*All courses taught by ECE faculty.
 
Elective (3)
 
Capstone Experience (3)
• ECE 7800 Capstone Experience (3)
 

Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours