Early Childhood PreK-2, Professional, M.Ed.

M.Ed. Programs for Licensed Teachers

Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment of preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our teacher education programs embrace this vision, Education Leaders Building Inclusive Learning Communities, a vision grounded in our department’s 5 foundational pillars: Critical Engagement with Diversity, Community Building, Social Justice, Scholarship, and Reflection.

Westfield State University teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield State University was awarded full accreditation for seven years in June 2020. AAQEP also awarded our educator preparation program with a commendation for our work in anti-racist education.

Professional licensure programs are designed to meet the needs of teachers who already possess an initial level Massachusetts teaching license, and are seeking a master’s degree that will lead to a professional teaching license in the same or related field. In order to be eligible for a professional license, teachers must have taught for three years in the area of their initial license, as well as meet other requirements listed in the licensure regulations.

Candidates in professional licensure programs will demonstrate their commitment to diversity at several points in their program. Each candidate will be required to reflect on his or her beliefs, values, experiences, and/or current practices for developing competencies that support diversity. Decisions about a candidate’s performance in professional licensure programs will be based on multiple assessments.

Program Description

The focus of this 34-credit hour program is on the issues and concerns faced by educators of young children, including developmental learning models, current research, parent involvement and collaboration, and the policies of local, state and federal programs affecting the education of young children with and without special needs. The program is designed for teachers who hold an initial license and seek Professional Licensure in Early Childhood Education. Students without the appropriate license may work toward the initial license for early childhood education and apply up to six semester hours of graduate work toward the master’s degree.

See Admission requirements for graduate programs.

Program of Study

Required Courses (34 Credits)

EDUC 0502 - Instructional Practices: Materials and Classroom Procedures (Elementary and Early Childhood) Credits: 3
EDUC 0510 - Developmental Designs in Early Childhood Credits: 3
EDUC 0513 - Evaluation Techniques in Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0570 - Language and Communication Development and Intervention Credits: 3
EDUC 0632 - Research in Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0633 - Social Cultural Theories: Foundations of Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0642 - The Influence of Play Upon Young Children Credits: 3
EDUC 0643 - Issues and Concerns About the Young Child’s Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 0648 - Diagnosis of and Intervention for Literacy Difficulties: Grades PreK-2 Credits: 3
EDUC 0653 - Multicultural Theory & Practice: English Language Learners Credits: 0.5
EDUC 0654 - Multicultural Theory & Practice: Exceptional Learners Credits: 0.5
EDUC 0661 - Storytelling, Literature, and Writing for the Young Child Credits: 3
EDUC 0692 - Programming for Infants and Toddlers and Preschoolers with Special Needs Credits: 3

Additional Guidelines

Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of 27 credits.