Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education – Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Admissions Requirements

Program admission requirements are based on state requirements for entrance to a teacher education program, as well as common elements for MSU teacher education programs. Applicants must meet the following admission criteria. (Students cannot be conditionally admitted to this program or admitted as unclassified.) To meet certification regulations, IECE MAT students must, depending on their employment and certification status, satisfy the practicum requirement in one of two ways:

• Option 6 (for students employed as the lead teacher in a public preschool or blended Head Start classroom with temporary provisional certification - Option 6 under state regulations): Complete a minimum of four credit hours of EDEC 600 (enrolled for one credit each semester). Under Option 6, students will complete the program with a minimum of 43 credit hours.
• Traditional (for students NOT currently employed as a lead teacher - Traditional under state regulations): Complete six credit hours of EDUC 650 during final semester. Under the Traditional option, students will complete the program with a minimum of 45 credit hours.

1. Submission of a graduate application form and general admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to "Admission to Graduate Study").
2. Official transcript from an accredited institution verifying a baccalaureate degree with a unweighted GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; or a GPA of 3.0 on a four point scale on the last 30-hours of coursework taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level.
3. An admission packet will be sent to the student's email account upon application. Submit the completed MAT/IECE Program Application Form found in this packet (which includes reading and signing the Character and Fitness Statement and Recognition of Dispositions Signature Form) as per instructions in admission packet.

Eligibility to Continue in the Program

In order to continue in the IECE MAT program, the student must achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Exit Requirements

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
2. Submission and review of the program completion portfolio demonstrating proficient performance of the competencies for early childhood educators.
3. Attainment of state mandated pass scores on required PRAXIS examination(s). Current requirement is a score of 166 on Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education.

Certification

Once a candidate is admitted to the MAT program, he/she must begin taking classes within 90-days and are immediately eligible to be employed as a highly qualified teacher with temporary provisional certification.

At time of admission to the program, candidates will be eligible to be employed with temporary provisional certification. In order to begin the KTIP year, candidates must pass the IECE PRAXIS. Candidates must complete the IECE certification program and KTIP within three years of initial hire with temporary provisional certification. If candidates fail to complete the program and KTIP, they will no longer be highly qualified for IECE.

Program Requirements

Foundations

Concentration in IECE

Methods

Research Competency

Practicum

For candidates enrolled in Traditional program

For candidates enrolled in Option 6 with temporary provisional certification