Urban Accelerated Certification and Master’s Program (UACM)
For information about our GSU/TFA Collaborative Program please see http://coe.gsu.edu/tfa
This initial certification program for the major in Early Childhood Education prepares teachers of young children (Pre-K through 5th grade) to teach in an urban environment. The program is designed for people who have an undergraduate degree or higher and want to teach in an urban elementary school. 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. This program qualifies 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 undergraduate grade point average calculated on all work attempted. The department requires applicants to submit GRE scores taken within the last 5 years. Students must present passing scores on the GACE Basic Skills Assessment or demonstrate an exemption upon application to the program. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement". Applicants must also participate in oral and written 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 of each academic year and runs for six consecutive terms. Successful completion of Phase I of the program (45 prerequisite semester hours) and a passing score on GACE Content Assessments in Early Childhood Education leads to a recommendation for initial certification (T-4). Applicants have the option of completing an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement simultaneously.
Applicants who are recommended and successfully complete Phase II of the program (30 semester hours) will earn a Master 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 a mentoring experience. 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 occurs once each year. For application and supporting materials, please contact the Department of Early Childhood Education at 404/413-8020
Phase I: Prerequisites
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 (2)
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)
Spring Semester
ECE 6375 Responsive Practice for Urban Education (3)
ECE 6386 Teaching Literacy to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners II (2)
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)
Optional ESOL Endorsement: If students would like to complete the ESOL Endorsement, they must complete ECE 6657 ESOL Student Teaching (2) [Available in fall and spring semesters].
Total prerequisite hours: minimum of 45 semester hours
Exit Requirements:
Completion of all required course work with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average
Successful completion of the GACE Early Childhood Education Content Assessment for licensure.
Successful completion of Student Teaching I and Student Teaching II with grades of "B" or higher
Phase II: Program Degree Requirements
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education UACM
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 7920 Classroom Testing, Grading, and Assessment (3)
Teaching Field/Internship (18)
ECE 6415 Curriculum Assessment for Urban Education I (3)
ECE 6416 Curriculum Assessment for Urban Education II (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)
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)