Apr 16, 2024

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education

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The M.S.Ed. in early childhood education program offers focused study to strengthen and broaden the professional preparation of teachers and other professionals who work with young children, birth through eight years. In addition to the basic requirements, course work will be determined on the basis of the individual candidate’s undergraduate preparation, experience, and professional goals. Candidates pursuing this M.S.Ed. may also choose course work to meet Early Childhood Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) requirements to teach children from birth through grade 2 in Illinois public schools. Candidates who meet the PEL requirements will be automatically eligible to receive the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential. Candidates may also elect course work to fulfill early childhood special education approval requirements for teaching children with disabilities and special needs in pre-kindergarten. Advisers evaluate candidates’ prior course work, professional experience, and previous credentials to determine individual programs leading to PEL with Early Childhood endorsement and/or Early Childhood Special Education approval, as well as the Gateways Level 5 ECE credential.

No more than six credit hours of graduate NIU coursework completed as a student-at-large may be applied to an advanced degree in SEED. Check departmental information for additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Requirements

Programs of study must include a minimum of 32 semester hours depending on the Early Childhood tack selected (Licensure, Non-licensure). Candidates elect either the licensure or non-licensure track.

M.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education (Licensure)

The licensure track requires prerequisite coursework in: Biology, Physical Science, Early and Space Science, History, Geography, Civics and Government, and Economics.

EPS 506 - Theories and Research in Child Behavior and Development Credits: 3
ETR 520 - Introduction to Research Methods in Education Credits: 3
SEEC 500 - Analysis of Instruction in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
SEEC 504 - Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Primary Classroom Credits: 3
SEEC 520 - Language Arts in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
SEEC 531 - Social Learning and Social Science in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
SEEC 532 - Young Children’s Exploration of the Physical World Credits: 3
SEEC 535 - Family and School Partnerships for Academic Success Credits: 3
OR SESE 526 - Working with and Supporting Families of Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs Credits: 3
SEEC 540 - Language Arts and Social Studies for Children Grades K-2 Credits: 3
SEEC 598 - Master’s Project Credits: 2
SESE 523 - Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
LTIC 501 - Multicultural Education: Methods and Materials Credits: 3
OR LTIC 520 - Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language in Content Areas Credits: 3
OR TLRN 501X - Multicultural Education: Methods and Materials Credits: 3
LTLA 537 - Acquisition of Spoken and Written Language Credits: 3
LTRE 516 - Emerging Literacy Development Credits: 3
SEEC 582 - Preprimary Clinical Experience Credits: 1
SEEC 583 - Primary Clinical Experience Credits: 1
SEEC 585A - Preprimary Student Teaching Credits: 3-12
Student must take 3 credit hours in this course.
SEEC 585B - Primary Student Teaching Credits: 3-12
Student must take 3 credit hours in this course.
SEEC 586 - Internship Credits: 1-9
Student must take 1 credit hour in this course.

Early Childhood Special Education Approval (Optional; Required for Approval only)

M.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education (Non-licensure)

EPS 506 - Theories and Research in Child Behavior and Development Credits: 3
ETR 520 - Introduction to Research Methods in Education Credits: 3
SEEC 500 - Analysis of Instruction in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
SEEC 504 - Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the Primary Classroom Credits: 3
SEEC 535 - Family and School Partnerships for Academic Success Credits: 3
SEEC 540 - Language Arts and Social Studies for Children Grades K-2 Credits: 3
SEEC 598 - Master’s Project Credits: 2
SESE 523 - Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
Electives within Department (6)
Electives outside of Department (6)

Thesis Option

Candidates electing the thesis option will select research in early childhood education as their focus area. Six of the 9 semester hours required for the focus area must be taken in SEEC 699, Master’s Thesis. Candidates electing the thesis option are still required to take SEEC 598.

SEEC 598 - Master’s Project Credits: 2
SEEC 699 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 1-6