Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Reading, and Special Education

Return to: College of Education

The major goal of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Reading, and Special Education is to prepare education professionals as facilitators of learning by providing quality degree programs. The graduate offerings include the M.Ed in Elementary Education (K-6), M.Ed. in Middle Grades Education (6-9) with a specialty in Math, Reading, or Science, M.Ed. in Reading Education (K-12), and M.Ed. in Special Education (K-12). An initial “A” level license is also available through our M.A.T. in Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Grades Education (6-9), Special Education (K-12), and Birth through Kindergarten (PK-K). Class A licensure programs in elementary education, middle grades, reading, and birth-kindergarten education are also available. All programs in the department are approved by CAEP and accredited by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction.

Candidates for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, Middle Grades, Reading Education, and Special Education, as well as the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education, Middle Grades, Special Education, and Birth through Kindergarten will complete an Advanced Leadership and Collaboration Project evidence to demonstrate their competence in the North Carolina Graduate Standards and Indicators during their respective culminating course (EDUC 692, EDUC 698, READ 698 , or SPED 698). Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of Proficient (score of 3.0) on each indicator of the scoring rubric to receive course credit and recommendation for advanced licensure.

Suspension of Programs

At this time, the College of Education is suspending graduate admissions to the M.Ed. in Special Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and M.Ed. in Reading.

Learning Outcomes: B-K Initial Programs (MAT) 

1. Teacher candidates will acquire and apply content knowledge to instruct B-K students based upon the NC Standard Course of Study, INTASC and CAEP Standards.
2. Teacher candidates will implement practices that reflect the cognitive, mental, social-emotional, and physical development of B-K students.
3. Teacher candidates will design and incorporate technology to enhance instruction, learning, research, assessment, and data management.
4. Teacher candidates will demonstrate leadership skills through the establishment of a safe, orderly, and positive environment.
5. Teacher candidates will apply appropriate accommodations and modifications to support teaching strategies for diverse learners.
6. Teacher candidates will integrate 21st century knowledge and skills in instruction.
7. Teacher candidates will communicate effectively, analyze data, and be reflective practitioners.

Learning Outcomes: Elementary Education Initial Programs (MAT)

1. Teacher candidates will acquire and apply content knowledge to instruct K-6 students based upon the NC Standard Course of Study, INTASC and CAEP Standards.
2. Teacher candidates will implement practices that reflect the cognitive, mental, social-emotional, and physical development of K-6 students.
3. Teacher candidates will design and incorporate technology to enhance instruction, learning, research, assessment, and data management.
4. Teacher candidates will demonstrate leadership skills through the establishment of a safe, orderly, and positive environment.
5. Teacher candidates will apply appropriate accommodations and modifications to support teaching strategies for diverse learners.
6. Teacher candidates will integrate 21st century knowledge and skills in instruction.
7. Teacher candidates will communicate effectively, analyze data, and be reflective practitioners.

Learning Outcomes: Middle Grades Initial Programs (LO and MAT)

1. Teacher candidates will acquire and apply content knowledge to instruct 6-9 students based upon the NC Standard Course of Study, INTASC and CAEP Standards.
2. Teacher candidates will implement practices that reflect the cognitive, mental, social-emotional, and physical development of 6-9 students.
3. Teacher candidates will design and incorporate technology to enhance instruction, learning, research, assessment, and data management.
4. Teacher candidates will demonstrate leadership skills through the establishment of a safe, orderly, and positive environment.
5. Teacher candidates will apply appropriate accommodations and modifications to support teaching strategies for diverse learners.
6. Teacher candidates will integrate 21st century knowledge and skills in instruction.
7. Teacher candidates will communicate effectively, analyze data, and be reflective practitioners.

Learning Outcomes for M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, and Reading Education

1. Advanced teacher candidates will acquire in-depth content knowledge to enhance 21st century skills in selected specialty areas.
2. Advanced teacher candidates will implement pedagogical strategies aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study, INTASC and CAEP Standards.
3. Advanced teacher candidates will design, conduct, and disseminate findings from action research in a professional setting (i.e. EDUC/READ 698 Advanced Applied Product of Learning and Practicum, conference, symposium, etc.).
4. Advanced teacher candidates will design and incorporate technology to enhance instruction, learning, research, assessment, and data management.
5. Advanced teacher candidates will create and support an educational culture that values reflective practice.
6. Advanced teacher candidates will demonstrate the value of diversity and promote instruction that is responsive to all learner needs.
7. Advanced teacher candidates will demonstrate leadership skills to advocate for students, communities, policies, and practices that support student learning and development.

Programs

• Birth through Kindergarten, PK-K, M.A.T.
• Elementary Education, K-6 Concentration, M.Ed.
• Elementary Education, K-6 M.A.T.
• Elementary Education, Reading Education K-12 Concentration, M.Ed.
• Middle Grades 6-9, Language Arts Concentration, M.Ed.
• Middle Grades 6-9, Mathematics Concentration, M.Ed.
• Middle Grades 6-9, Science Concentration, M.Ed.
• Middle Grades Education 6-9, Math, Science, English Language Arts, or Social Studies Specialty Area, M.A.T.
• Special Education K-12, Current License in Special Education, M.Ed.
• Special Education K-12, License in Education but not in Special Education, M.Ed.
• Special Education, General Curriculum K-12, M.A.T.

• Science of Reading Certificate
• Special Education Certificate

Return to: College of Education