Education, Early Childhood Education, M.A.

For teachers with a passion for shaping young minds, the Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood can be completed in two years (including summer study) and focuses on early childhood behaviors, as well as the curriculum and teaching methods that are appropriate for various ages from infants through early primary years. Part of the uniqueness of this program is the special attention that is given to meeting the special needs of young children with diverse abilities.

This concentration is for teachers who have already met South Carolina Department of Education requirements for certification in elementary education.

Early Childhood Education (33 credits)

Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria

Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:

earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification

and, must submit:

a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
two professional recommendations and Dispositions Assessment Evaluation by persons familiar with the candidate’s teaching (e.g. principal, assistant principal, immediate supervisor)
a copy of their current teaching certificate
official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended

Currently enrolled Furman undergraduates pursuing teaching certification, who have satisfactorily completed all senior block courses including the practicum experience, eligible to enroll in EDEP-670 Teaching Internship, may gain provisional graduate admission for study in summer session prior to the completion of the teaching internship and initial certification. Successful completion of all senior block courses is required before students will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses.

International Degree Candidates Initial Admission

Any applicant who is a non-U.S. citizen wishing to attend Furman University Graduate Studies programs as a degree- or non-degree seeking student is considered an international applicant. All international applicants are required to have transcripts from any non-U.S. institutions evaluated by a credentialing service. All applications, fees, documents, and requirements must be submitted online through our secure admissions site to Graduate Studies. Official GRE General Test Score(s) should be submitted to Graduate Studies directly from ETS.

Visa Information

Anyone already issued a valid U.S. visa (H-type or J-type), or a Permanent Residency Card, must submit copies of these documents as part of the application process. If an international applicant is seeking a student visa (F-1), the process for applying for this status will be addressed by the Dean of International Admission.

Application Deadlines for International Applicants

Fall: March 15
Spring: August 15
Summer: January 15

It is important to note that if your program’s deadline is prior to the international deadline, you should have your materials in by the earlier deadline.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants whose primary language is not English must submit appropriate scores from either TOEFL or IELTS. All international graduate applicants must present one of the following as part of their online application: a TOEFL score of at least 577 on the paper-based test (pbt) or 90 on the internet-based test (ibt) or an IELTS score of at least 7.5. Applicants who take the TOEFL or IELTS must have the official score report sent to Graduate Studies directly from the testing service.

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution are eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Program directors may also petition Graduate Studies to waive this requirement on an individual basis.

Furman Department of Education-specific requirements:

Applicants without a state of SC-issued teaching certificate, including but not limited to international applicants, must submit documentation (i.e. letter from an administrator, official transcript, etc.) indicating previous preparation and/or experience as a classroom teacher. International students without a valid SC teaching certificate are not eligible for initial or add-on licensure at program completion.

Program Continuation

Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.

After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:

maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements
demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Office of Graduate Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission

Program Completion/Degree Audit

The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.

Program Completion/Graduation

Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam.

Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts in Education

Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate
Acceptance/Official conference with Graduate Studies
Complete EDFD 879: Master’s Seminar in Education
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam
Graduation

Requirements

Three core courses (9 credits)

Five courses in the area of concentration (15 credits)

EDEC 640 Caregiving and Learning: The Infant And Toddler Years
EDEC 641 Teaching and Learning: The Preschool Years
EDEC 642 Teaching and Learning: The Early Primary Years *
EDEC 746 Methods and Materials for Educating Young Children With Diverse Abilities
EDEC 960 Practicum in Teaching the Young Child **
*Students successfully completing EDU-225 Teaching and Learning: Early Primary Years as undergraduates may be exempted from EDEC-642 Teaching and Learning: Early Primary Years.

**Must be the final course in the Early Childhood sequence and must be completed concurrently only with EDFD-879 Masters Seminar in Education

One related course (3 credits)

One elective course (3 credits)

and, a capstone experience (3 credits)

EDFD 879 Masters Seminar in Education *
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program.

Teacher-To-Teacher Extended Program (9 credits)

The add-on certification master’s with this concentration is limited to the students completing the bachelor’s degree at Furman enrolled in the five-year extended program.