Education, Early Childhood Education Option, M.S.

Education (M.S.) 45 units

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The Department of Teacher Education offers four options for the Master of Science in Education degree:

• Early Childhood Education,
• Curriculum,
• Educational Technology Leadership, and
• Reading Instruction & Reading Certificate (Added Authorization).

Admission

Upon admission to the university, a student with a baccalaureate degree usually is in “Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate” standing. An “Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate” student may enroll in those courses for which the prerequisites have been met. The department will not count courses taken to remove deficiencies toward degree requirements. No more than 13 units taken in “Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate” status can be applied toward a master’s degree. This includes approved credit-bearing extension courses, transfer courses, and residence courses taken before admission to the master’s degree program. Lower division, non-credit Extension, and Credit/No Credit (Pass/Fail) courses are not applicable to the degree except courses offered only for Credit/No Credit (Pass/Fail). Filing for a substitution for this last item is up to the student. Seven units of coursework from a basic credential program (Multiple or Single Subject) may be applied toward a master’s degree.

A student with minor deficiencies in the requirements below may be admitted to a program as a “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student.

To be awarded “Classified Graduate” standing, a student must:

1. have a GPA if 3.0 or better in all upper division work in the major and in all post-baccalaureate work;
2. hold a valid teaching credential and/or show evidence of successful classroom teaching experience as determined by the department. (May be waived for a student in the Option in Early Childhood Education.);
3. have met the University Writing Skills Requirement. (For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661)

Advancement to Candidacy

To be Advanced to Candidacy for the degree, a student must:

• have met the University Writing Skills Requirement;
  • (For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661)
• be a “Classified Graduate” student in good standing;
• have completed at least 35 quarter units considered by the Department to be applicable toward the degree requirements with a GPA of 3.0 or better;
• have an approved program of study for the degree (on a Major Check Form) signed by the advisor;
• have completed or be currently enrolled in TED 6020, Research in Education;
• have been approved for Advancement to Candidacy by the department on recommendation of faculty teaching in the student’s area of study-
  • This is initiated by filing the form, Petition to Establish Thesis/Project Committee, with a thesis or project abstract attached, or by obtaining permission to register for the Graduate Synthesis course.

GPA Requirement

A student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 ar higher in all courses taken in the approved program signed by the advisar, whether the courses are taken at Cal State East Bay or elsewhere. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on probationary status, will be subject to disqualification from the program, and may be recommended for dismissal from the university. (The department also requires that the use of the “CR/NC” grade option in any course applied to a master’s and/or certificate program must be approved in advance by the Graduate Coordinator.)

Degree Requirements (45 units)

To receive the M.S. degree in Education, a student must have:

1. been Advanced to Candidacy;
2. completed 45-53 quarter units of approved graduate work, subject to the following conditions:
   • all units must have been earned within the past five (5) years immediately preceding completion of the requirements for the degree;
   • no fewer than thirty-two (32) quarter units may have been completed in residence (i.e., after admission to the program, as a regularly matriculated student) in the graduate program at Cal State East Bay;
   • no fewer than three (3) nor more than six (6) quarter units may have been assigned to a University Thesis nor more than five (5) to a Department Thesis or Project, nor fewer than four (4) in the Graduate Synthesis course;
   • no more than thirteen (13) quarter units of approved courses may be transferred from another institution, taken through approved extension courses (including Open University), or taken as an “Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate” student;
   • at least twenty-two and one-half (22.5) quarter units must have been in courses in the 6000 series or equivalent graduate level; 
3. satisfied the University Writing Skills Requirement; (For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661);
4. earned at least a 3.0 GPA in all post-baccalaureate work and in all graduate work at Cal State East Bay and in all units satisfying the requirements of the degree program;
5. completed a University Thesis acceptable to the university, or a Department Thesis or Project acceptable to the department faculty, or completed the Graduate Synthesis course which includes passing a Comprehensive Examination;
6. met, within five (5) years of admission to the program, the specific requirements of that program.

Graduation

A student must apply to graduate and request a degree check during the first two (2) weeks of the quarter prior to the quarter in which completion of the program is expected. Students must apply online and pay the required fee.

Early Childhood Education Option

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The Early Childhood Education Option is designed to provide the working professional special competencies for assuming leadership roles in curriculum, staff development, advocacy, and educating families.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the M.S. in Education, Option in Early Childhood Education from California State University, East Bay will:

1. develop an in-depth knowledge base of effective preschool models of curriculum, pedagogy and working with families;
2. complete a professional practicum in an Early Childhood setting (including the delivery of professional development, advocacy and mentoring);
3. utilize a variety of bibliographic tools to write a comprehensive review of the literature for a topic of professional interest;
4. complete an action research project investigating a topic as it relates to the field of Early Childhood Education.

Prerequisites

Students must demonstrate an appropriate background when applying for this option. This can be met by successful completion of an undergraduate degree in Human Development, Psychology, or other relevant degree to the field of Early Childhood. Students possessing a Multiple Subject Credential or degree in Elementary Education are encouraged to apply as well. Students who have a Bachelor’s degree, but not in the Social Sciences, and have successfully completed at least 12 units in Early Childhood and/or have worked successfully in the field for at least 5 years are also encouraged to apply.

Course Descriptions

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Use this link to see all Course Descriptions  available throughout this catalog.

Other Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

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In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation as described throughout this catalog. These include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 grade point average, and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.