Early Childhood Education: Master of Arts – Initial Licensure

The following courses must be completed (or equivalent courses transferred, approved by advisor) prior to starting the program:

• ● EDUC 2310: Foundations of Education (3)
• ● EDUC 2330: Educational Psychology I - Child Growth and Development (3)
• ● SPED 6101: Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
• ● EDCP 6101: Introduction to Educational Technology (3)
• ● ENGL 2131: Literature for Children and Adolescents (3)

Program Coursework (14 courses)

• 1. EDEC 6099: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Education (3)
• 2. EDEC 6550: Family, Community, and Culture (3)
• 3. EDEC 6551: Field Experience 1 - Infants & Toddlers (1)*
• 4. EDEC 6560: Science and Social Studies Methods, CRTL & Exceptional Learners (3)
• 5. EDEC 6561: Field Experience 2 - Preprimary Grades (1)*
• 6. EDEC 6570: Literacy Methods in Early Childhood Education (3)
• 7. EDEC 6571: Field Experience 3 - Literacy in Primary Grades (1)*
• 8. EDEC 6580: Math Methods in Early Childhood Education (3)
• 9. EDEC 6581: Field Experience 4 - Math in Primary Grades (1)*
• 10. EDUC 7410: Classroom Management and Responsive Learning Environments (2)
• 11. EDUC 7440: Applied Educational Psychology (3)
• 12. EDEC 7570: Assessment & Differentiated Instruction in Early Childhood (3)
• 13. EDEC 8810: Research and Issues in Education I (3)
• 14. EDEC 8999: Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (9)
• _{*field experiences must be taken at the same time as their corresponding methods course (co-requisite)}

Total Program Hours: 39
Total Program Semesters: 5 (2 years)

Candidates engage with children and families in a variety of diverse settings from birth to 2nd grade in clinical field experiences and observations prior to student teaching. These experiences include observing, engaging, and teaching lessons with infants/toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, and primary classrooms in multiple settings across the region.

Support is provided and scaffolded throughout the program for field experiences prior to student teaching. Instructors and qualified mentor teachers in the field guide students to build their confidence and gradually increase their responsibilities as a classroom teacher.

Partner districts are selected for their commitment to a team approach in creating an inclusive culture focused on responsiveness to the educational needs of racially, culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students.These placements are made to such districts as New Lenox, Harvey, Homewood, Tinley Park, Chicago, Kankakee, Oak Lawn, and Dolton.

Some field experience placements are already set up, which make it easier because:

• ● Candidates do not have to find their own placement that is approved


• ● Candidates are together to support each other


• ● The schools/teachers are familiar with our program, guidelines, and requirements

Candidates may be able to find their own placements for some field experiences; however, the following guidelines must be met:

• ● Field experiences must occur at the designated course grade level


• ● School/center sites must be high quality, licensed, and be approved by university supervisor (or on the approved list)


• ● Sites must be located in a safe neighborhood within a 20-mile radius of the GSU campus


• ● Candidates, directors/principals, and mentor teachers must follow our field experience guidelines


• ● Candidates are responsible for getting an MOU agreement with their center/school


• ● Placement site and day/time must be finalized and approved by the university supervisor and the school prior to the start of the second week of the semester

Student teaching placement is based upon candidate selection across Chicagoland districts. Candidates work with quality mentor teachers who serve as models, offer opportunities to teach and practice skills, and provide guidance and feedback. Student teaching for this program is 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for 15 weeks. Candidates also participate in strategically planned monthly seminars that include topics such as equity and diversity, best practices, gender expression, and navigating the interview process.

• 1) Requirements:


• a. University graduate school requirements (visit Graduate Admissions)


• b. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (2.0-2.74 GPA may be accepted with conditions)


• 2) To apply, candidates must submit the following:


• a. Application to GSU graduate school


• b. Current resume


• c. Official transcripts showing:


• i. A valid bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university


• ii. A cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in all undergraduate work attempted and a grade of "B-" or better in current graduate coursework (GPA of 2.0-2.74 may be accepted with conditions)


• iii. Completion of and a grade of “B-” or better in all prerequisite coursework (EDUC2310, EDUC2330, ENGL2131, EDCP2101/6101, SPED2100/6101) -or evidence of currently taking the courses or intention to take them at GSU

For more information regarding the requirements for admission to this program, visit the GSU Graduate Admissions webpage.

For questions or help with admissions and application process, set up a virtual appointment to speak with someone or email the Graduate Admissions Office, graduateadmission@govst.edu.

• ● Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Professional Education coursework, earning a grade of ‘B-’ or better in all courses


• ● Complete all coursework at Governors State University within five calendar years


• ● Be in good standing with the university and program


• ● Earn satisfactory scores on assessments of professional dispositions and exhibit expected dispositions


• ● Maintain satisfactory candidate progress as defined in the Early Childhood Education Program Handbook


• ● Successfully complete all key assessments and field placements, including student teaching

• ● Complete and document 200 hours of clinical field experience


• ● Complete and document coursework and earned grades


• ● Successfully complete student teaching, earning a grade of “B-” or better


• ● Pass the edTPA portfolio or C-PAST Evaluation


• ● Earn a passing score on the Early Childhood Content Area Exam of the Illinois Certification Testing System (ILTS).


• ● Candidates need to create an ELIS account. Here are instructions to complete the following: create an ELIS account, apply for a substitute license, and apply for licensure.

For more information about licensure, visit the GSU webpage Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals.

Additional Endorsements: candidates can add the ESL Endorsement (PreK-12th grade) on their teaching license by completing the 6 courses:

• ● BBED 4501 Teaching English as a Second Language (3)


• ● BBED 4520 Foundations of Bilingual and ESL Education (3)


• ● BBED 4525 Assessment of Language of Minority Students (3)


• ● BBED 4530 Methods and Materials for Teaching in Bilingual Programs (3)


• ● BBED 4538 Cross Cultural Education (3)


• ● BBED 4977 Reading Strategies in the Bilingual and ESL Classroom (3)