Salem State offers four programs to prepare participants to become licensed, pre-kindergarten to second grade (PK-2) teachers in Massachusetts public schools and/or early childhood educators in a variety of communitybased settings (e.g., preschool, out-of-school time, early intervention).
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR PATHWAYS
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
This program is for those seeking a public school PK-2 license. It requires 30-39 credits depending on previous coursework and experience. A 300-hour practicum (or equivalent) is completed with guidance from an experienced early childhood educator. Early educators with a lead teacher credential from EEC may qualify for a reduced practicum.
EARLY CHILDHOOD (LICENSURE ONLY)
This program is for those with a master’s degree in education or related field who are seeking an initial public school license in PK-2 or who want to add an early childhood license. This program ranges from 12-39 credits, depending on previous coursework and experience and requires a 300-hour practicum (or equivalent).
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION LICENSE
This variable-credit program (30-51 credits) is for those seeking an initial PK-2 license and an initial license in special education. It is designed to cultivate the skills, methods, and strategies required to support early childhood students, including those with mild to moderate special education needs, in general education classrooms. A practicum (or equivalent) in both PK-2 and special education is required. The latter may include a general education classroom that meets special education requirements.
MASTER OF EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ADVANCED STUDIES)
This flexible, individualized 30-credit master’s degree program is designed for early educators in community-based settings (e.g., preschools, early intervention programs, out-of-school-time) who want to advance their professional knowledge. Participants with three years of experience as a PK-2 public school teacher in Massachusetts and 12 credits of subject matter knowledge (SMK) can qualify for a professional teaching license. Additionally, the program offers options to complete a special education license or a graduate certificate in areas such as Reading or TESOL.
CURRICULUM
Our early childhood coursework provides a strong foundation in theoretical, pedagogical, and conceptual knowledge as well as opportunity to apply that knowledge and skills in public school classrooms or community-based settings. Our dedicated faculty prioritize instructional techniques that promote anti-bias education and equitable access to learning opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Our initial licensure programs and professional license courses are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experienced, knowledgeable, and accessible faculty with extensive early childhood teaching expertise.
• Fully online program with synchronous and asynchronous courework.
• Opportunities to complete required pre-practicum and practicum (required for licensure programs) in current PK-2 positions or through paid fellowships.
• Small class sizes and cohort-based learning help to support collaborative relationships between students and faculty.
• Opportunities for graduate assistantships, grants and scholarships.
• Ongoing advising and support when needed.
• MTELs are not required for admission to the licensure programs or to progress to practicum. (Note: MTELs are required by DESE for licensure.)
• Flexible enrollment (full or part time) and pacing to meet participants’ personal and professional needs.
PACING AND TIME COMMITMENTS
Students can select either full-time or part-time plan to best meet their needs based on competing work-life commitments.
*All programs are based on student’s previous course work. Estimates are based on 30-36 required credits. Students requiring 39-46 credits will require additional semesters.
MTEL EXAMS AND THEIR ROLE IN LICENSURE
The successful completion of the state-accredited initial licensure program in education will lead to an initial license endorsement.
LICENSURE: PROGRAM + MTEL = GETTING YOUR LICENSE
An initial license is obtained by successfully completing a Salem State licensure program, obtaining an endorsement for licensure from the McKeown School of Education, and passing the required MTELs.
LICENSURE PROGRAM ENDORSEMENT
Successful completion of the initial licensure program at Salem State will lead to an endorsement for licensure from the McKeown School of Education.
MTEL
Pass the required MTEL exams for early childhood education (PK-2).
INITIAL PK-2 LICENSE IN MASSACHUSETTS
Apply for the initial license in PK-2 from DESE.
The required MTELs for early childhood education can be found at the MTEL website: www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/testrequire.html
• Communication and Literacy or approved alternatives listed here: www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/alt-assess/communication.html
» Foundations of Reading (190). The Reading Specialist MTEL (62) will also meet this requirement.
• Early Childhood (72)
ONE-YEAR ACCELERATED OPTION
This accelerated, three-semester option begins in summer and continues through the subsequent fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester, participants study educational foundation content and theory in an intensive, online format. The subsequent fall semester includes a fulltime practicum in a PK-2 public school classroom while concurrently taking online courses on early childhood teaching methods. The final semester of the licensure portion of the program includes a full-time teaching practicum. The (optional) special education add-on license requires additional, online summer coursework followed by a special education practicum in the fall.
TWO-YEAR OPTION SELF-PACED OPTION
The two-year option covers the same material as the one-year program, but over a longer time period. Participants typically take two classes per semester in the fall, spring, and summer.
FELLOWSHIPS
Because participants schedules and opportunities for graduate study vary from semester to semester, students are welcome to increase or decrease the number of courses taken during each semester as needed. All master’s degrees must be completed within six years of acceptance.
A limited number of fellowships may be available each year to qualified applicants. Fellowships are funded by our school district partners and offer paid positions as teachers, interventionists and paraprofessionals. Positions are competitive and require a separate application due March 1. Application and interview support is available through Career Services. Passing scores on the MTELs are required for some fellowship positions.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
According to DESE, Massachusetts is one of the higher paying states for teachers, with an average salary of $86,118 during the 2020-21 school year.
ADMISSIONS
MEd, Initial; MEd Advanced; Licensure Only
COSTS
For Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $450.80,* including tuition and fees. For non-residents, each credit costs $543.10.* Courses are 1.5 to 3 credits. For assistance funding your graduate education, options such as financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer reimbursement and tuition remission, and veteran’s benefits may be available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING:
• Early Childhood Educators scholarship: mass.gov/how-to/ apply-for-the-early-childhood-educators-ece-scholarship
