Graduate Program in Education
The Department of Education and
Child Development offers the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education. The program of study provides a planned, cohesive sequence of advanced study courses that are a logical extension of coursework pursued at the undergraduate level. Graduates
of the program have gone on to develop distinguished careers as master teachers, school administrators, and leaders in the field of early childhood education.
Program Learning Outcomes
Shaw University is committed to providing educational opportunities for a diverse population of learners. In alignment with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards for graduate programs in education, the Master of Science in Curriculum and
Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education program outcomes are to prepare teachers and leaders who will:
- Assume the roles and responsibilities of collaborative leaders in schools and communities;
- Model leadership by establishing a positive and productive environment for a diverse population of students, their families, and the community;
- Have a deep knowledge of the subjects they teach and understanding of curriculum theory and development;
- Facilitate student learning through evidence-based practice informed by research;
- Contribute to systematic, critical analysis of learning in their classrooms and beyond.
Conceptual Framework Theme
To produce graduates who are critical-thinking problem solvers with the knowledge, pedagogical and technological skills, and professional dispositions needed to function as effective teachers and leaders in a diverse world.
Program of Study
The primary target audience for the graduate program consists of practicing or aspiring teachers and leaders in the field of education. The graduate program provides two concentrations:
- Concentration I: Early Childhood Administration prepares those who want to obtain leadership roles in the Early Childhood Education field and do not desire to teach at the preschool level.
- Concentration II:
Birth-Kindergarten Education prepares those who want to continue to teach preschool in the public school arena and obtain their initial or advanced teaching license.
Both concentrations would require 33 credit hours; 36 credit hours would be required for candidates who need to take the student teaching courses in order to obtain an initial teaching license.
Because many graduate students are employed full-time, our program offers online and hybrid courses (51% online; 49% synchronous via Zoom).
Admission Requirements
In order to obtain unconditional admission, the applicant must meet or exceed the following criteria:
- An undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 from an accredited institution of higher education.
- The GPA requirement may be waived for an applicant who has 3 or more years of successful teaching at the Preschool – 2nd grade level.
- A minimum of two years of documented relevant educational or professional experiences in an early childhood education setting.
- A TOEFL score of at least 500 if the applicant is an international student.
- A successful interview with the Graduate Program Committee.
- Must provide two letters of recommendation (one professional reference must be from a present or former supervisor.
Candidates seeking the N.C. Teaching license must have a GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of Formal Admissions at the beginning of their 3rd semester in the program.
Application Deadlines
| Applicants living in the U. S. & U. S. Citizens: |
International Applicants: |
For fall semester admission - July 30
For spring semester admission - November 30
For summer session admission - April 15 |
For fall semester admission - March 1
For spring semester admission - August
For summer session admission - December 1
|
Title II
The teacher education programs at Shaw University are not designated as low-performing by the State under Section 208(a).
Course of Study
The Master of Science in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Kindergarten) requires a minimum of 33-36 credit hours, depending upon whether or not students are seeking an initial teaching license.
Request application materials from:
Gail Mazyk, Ed.D., Graduate Coordinator
Shaw University
Department of Education and Child Development
118 E. South Street | Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Phone: 919-546-8220
Email: gmazyck@shawu.edu