Masters of Education in Teaching the Developing Child

Purpose of Degree

The focus of the M.Ed. in Teaching for the Developing Child is to become a master educator. The mission of our Master’s program is to guide educators to become leaders who apply research and best practice theory to make reflective and synergistic decisions that consistently support and extend the learning of all students. Through the core courses and individualized experiences, candidates are able to create a vision of themselves as reflective, synergistic decision makers.

National accreditation of the program:

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Program of Study

Prerequisites required:

Master’s degree candidates must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 in their bachelors’ program

Candidates must have a 3.0 overall and major GPA in their undergraduate programs. Candidates must submit all necessary documents required by the Graduate Studies Application, a Professional Goals Statement that reflects professional objectives for the program and two professional letters of recommendation.  

Plan of Study

The Master of Education in Teaching the Developing Child program requires 33 credit hours, including core courses (15 credits) and courses in an area of concentration (12 credits) and electives (6 credits). Many courses are offered in both on-line and traditional classroom settings.

The concentration area includes a focus of 12 credits and an addition six credits of education electives that are chosen to meet the student’s professional needs and personal interests. Students in collaboration with the graduate coordinator may design a concentration area that meets their professional needs and personal interests. The 18 credits of the concentration and electives are selected by the graduate student (in collaboration with the graduate coordinator) from one of the focus areas available for in-depth study.

The M.Ed. program supports the Advanced Teacher Education Conceptual Framework, developed by the ESU Teacher Education faculty. Core courses present research-based concepts related to teaching and learning as well as introduce various tools of inquiry. Concentration courses extend the master teacher’s ability to articulate, apply, and adapt theoretical constructs to the classroom setting.

Final Graduation Requirement

Students select one of the following exit criteria to complete the M.Ed. program: Professional Portfolio, Curriculum Project, or Action Research.

The planning and developing of the Comprehensive Evaluation is an integral part of ELED 575, Graduate Seminar, a course taken between 24-27 credits.

At the end of graduate course work, the master teacher candidate will be able to demonstrate reflective, collaborative, and creative teaching practice and professional leadership qualities. A student may have a maximum of six credits of workshop courses included in a plan of study.  

Core Courses - 15 credits required

ELED 502Understanding the Developing Child

3 credits

ELED 570Introduction to Research

3 credits

ELED 575Graduate Seminar

3 credits

ELED 592Curriculum Approaches and Design

3 credits

DMET 510Online Tools and Strategies for Learner-Centered Instruction

3 credits

Concentration Courses - 18 credits required

The student shall, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, complete 12 graduate credits in one of the following focus areas:

  • Early Childhood Education (PK-4)
  • Middle School Education (4-8)
  • Student Design

The Arts

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 512Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 525Creative Drama

3 credits

Early Childhood

ELED 574Problems and Issues in Early Childhood Education

3 credits

ELED 589Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs

3 credits

English Language Arts

ELED 506Second Language Acquisition and Development

3 credits

ELED 507Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

3 credits

ELED 508Applied Linguistics for ESL Teachers

3 credits

ELED 509Instructional Methods, Materials, and Assessments for ELL

3 credits

ELED 510English Language Learner (ELL) Family and Community Matters

2 credits

ELED 511State and Federal Issues Regarding ELL Students

2 credits

Language Arts

ELED 520Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts

3 credits

ELED 521Children’s Literature for Advanced Students

3 credits

ELED 523Diversity in Children’s Literature

3 credits

ELED 545Bookarts

3 credits

Math

ELED 540Constructivist Approaches to teaching Mathematics

3 credits

ELED 542Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics

3 credits

Science

ELED 531Life Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers

3 credits

ELED 532Physical Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers

3 credits

ELED 534Seminar in Elementary School Science

3 credits

Social Studies

ELED 535Classroom Diversity

3 credits

ELED 550Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies

3 credits

Research

ELED 569Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

1 credit

ELED 571Research Problems

1 credit

ELED 572Thesis I

3 credits

Additional Courses

ELED 505Managing the Learning Environment

3 credits

ELED 533Designing and Implementing Programs for Professional Development

3 credits

ELED 544International Collaborative Learning Project

1 - 3 credits

ELED 549Reducing Classroom Conflict

3 credits

ELED 553Teaching and Motivation

3 credits

ELED 556Cooperative Learning - Learning Teams in Action

3 credits

ELED 557Reducing Stress in the Classroom

3 credits

ELED 569Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

1 credit

ELED 577IS:

3 credits

ELED 582Discipline in the Classroom

3 credits


Admissions deadlines

Fall: March 15
Spring: Sept. 15
Summer: Jan. 15

Graduate Assistantships:

Graduate assistantships are available through the department. These are awarded based upon merit and achievement to full-time students in the graduate program.

Graduate assistants do not teach classes, but complete projects and tasks assigned by professors.

The graduate assistantship is awarded for the first year of full-time study, with the possibility of extension through the first summer. Prospective students should apply for a graduate assistantship at the time of original application to the program, using the application form online.

Full consideration will be given to those students who meet the application deadlines. Candidates will be selected and interviewed by the department chair and/or graduate coordinator.

Please contact the department chair and/or graduate coordinator at 570-422-3356 for additional information.