Abstract
In Kean University, Master’s Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education is associated with the Classroom Instruction with Initial P-3 Certification as an option. After participating in this M.A. program, a graduate will obtain the Certificate with the right to work as a teacher in the grades from the pre-school one to the third one. The paper aims to provide the discussion of courses and requirements necessary to obtain the degree and to present the analysis of the career options available for the graduate of with the Master’s Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Introduction
Kean University, as a public university located in New Jersey offers its students a variety of majors for Master’s degrees, including the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. The program proposes the obtaining of the degree of the Master of Liberal Arts with the focus on the Early Childhood Education and with the Classroom Instruction with Initial P-3 Certification as an option. As a result of participating in this M.A. program, a graduate will obtain the Certificate with the right to work as a teacher in the grades from the pre-school one to the third one (Kean University, 2015).
The paper aims to provide the discussion of courses and requirements that are necessary to obtain the degree and to present the analysis of the career options available for the graduate of Kean University with the Master’s Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Method: The Requirements and Courses of Level I, II, III
In order to receive the opportunity to participate in the program and become able to complete Level I and II courses and the Level III seminar, it is necessary to address a range of admission requirements. The participation in the M.A. program is possible only after receiving the Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited college. Thus, having received the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Kean University, it is possible to apply for participation in the M.A. program.
The next important conditions are the cumulative grade point average higher than 3.0, the passing score on the Early Childhood Content Knowledge, according to PRAXIS (5022), and the Graduate Record Exam test scores. Additionally, the applicant needs to provide the two recommendation letters and transcripts from the institutions as well as Professional Resume, Curriculum Vitae, and Personal Statement (Kean University, 2015).
Prerequisites for participating in the M.A. program are associated with the documented experience in the field of teaching or the 40 hours completed additionally to the Level I courses. Finally, the program requirements include the teaching portfolio, 24 credits that are required for certification, 45 credits obligatory for receiving the degree, and the advanced seminar at Level III counted for six credits (Kean University, 2015).
The courses in Early Childhood Education provide students with the knowledge regarding children’s developmental stages, the role of cooperation between parents, teachers, and the community to improve children’s achievements, and regarding different types of diversity. In addition, much attention is paid to extending the candidates’ teaching experiences. There is six Level I courses for 3 credits and one course for 6 credits required for the certification.
For instance, “Foundations of Early Childhood and Family Studies” provides candidates with the opportunity to learn the historical, philosophical as well as specific psychological and social foundations of education of children during the early childhood stage (Kean University, 2015).
The other required courses are “Language Reading and Thought in the Young Child: Theory and Practice” and “Developmental Theories for Teaching in Early Childhood and Family Studies”. Such a 3-credit course as “Integrated Curriculum Development” offers students the information on planning and following the appropriate integrated curriculum in preschool and primary school settings. “Creating Partnerships with Families” educates students on the principles of integrating partnership programs while working with families. “Integrating Technology into the Early Childhood Curriculum” is a key course to learn how to use technology while working with young children (Kean University, 2015). At this level, the most important course is “Teaching Practicum and Seminar” counted for 6 credits.
After completing Level I courses, graduates have the opportunity to apply for the Provisional Teaching Certification that offers students options to participate in the program and be supervised by educators at public schools where graduates work with references to the provisional certificate. This opportunity is important for graduates to be recommended for future work at the selected public school as part of the permanent staff.
Five 3-credit courses are offered as Level II required courses. They are “Supporting Emergent Literacy at Home and at School”, “Science for Early Childhood Teachers”, “Research in Early Childhood and Family Studies”, “Mathematics for Early Childhood Teachers”, and “Theory into Practice: Observation, Interpretation and Integration”. The last course requires the completion of all previous courses to be obtained and completed by candidates (Kean University, 2015). Level III is associated with the research, and at this stage, students are required to complete the two-semester seminar that is counted for six credits.
It is possible to state that the courses offered to complete the program and receive the Certificate are organized to guarantee that candidates receive all the information and develop knowledge regarding the principles of teaching and students’ learning and develop skills based on the actual teaching experience with the focus on examining the ways of collaboration of the teachers, parents, and community. The second stage is the acquisition of the theoretical knowledge regarding the principles of curriculum development, research, and pedagogy in relation to the early childhood education.
Result: Career Opportunities and Benefits
Upon completion of the Master’s Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Classroom Instruction with P-3 Certification, the graduates receive the opportunity to work as school teachers at pre-school classes and classes till the third grade; childcare administrators; preschool administrators; parent educators; and early education program specialists. As a result, it is possible to develop the career in such organizations as preschools, public and private elementary or primary schools, childcare centers, and educational and social programs. The variety of rewarding career opportunities depends on the fact that the discussed M.A. program provides the wide education for candidates for receiving the P-3 Certificate.
The program proposes the balanced education in terms of theory, instructional methods, and early childhood education methods. It is important to note that the program like Classroom Instruction with P-3 Certification orients to preparing candidates for working with children of different ages, including infants and 8-years-old children.
Rewards and benefits associated with completed the program are in wide career opportunities for candidates because graduates have the developed knowledge not only in instructing young children but also in working as theorists in the field of early education. As a result, graduates can work as specialists in developing the curricula for classes in preschools and primary schools. These duties are associated with extended compensation opportunities and rewards.
More benefits are associated with taking the administrative position in preschools and elementary schools. The salary associated with the position of a teacher in preschools and elementary schools is about $55,000 in comparison with the salary in $35,000 of pre-school and elementary teachers with the Bachelor’s Degree. Furthermore, for specialists working in care centers or administrators, the possible salary is about $60,000 per year. In addition, all the teaching positions can be discussed as beneficial in terms of compensation because of the annual potential pay increase.
Thus, it is possible to state that there is a great range associated with the salary rates for different job positions and educational institutions. This variety of salaries and positions is proposed mainly for professionals with the Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and in this context, numerous rewards are associated with the successful completion of the M.A. program. Furthermore, the demand for specialists in the sphere of preschool and primary school education increases regularly, creating the beneficial environment for potential teachers or administrators in the field.
While having an opportunity to work as a teacher, caregiver, or an administrator in private and public preschools and elementary schools, it is possible to concentrate on the job positions proposed at the Linden Public Schools as a public school district with the good reputation that is located in Union County, New Jersey. From this perspective, the potential career at the Linden Public Schools can be discussed as the goal and motivation for the successful completion of the M.A. program.
Conclusion
The discussed M.A. program that offers the P-3 Certificate is important to provide candidates with the opportunity to work in various settings related to the sphere of early childhood education and at different positions. The research on the program’s specifics and advantages demonstrates that the participation in the program can be discussed as beneficial for candidates who experience in working with children in different age groups and who can apply their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the variety of settings while receiving the relevant and competitive compensation.
Reference
Kean University: Classroom Instruction – P-3 Certification. (2015). Web.