Master of Education Early Childhood Education About Shorter University Master of Education Careers as a Teacher Application Tuition and Financial Aid online.shorter.edu
About Shorter University Who we are Founded in 1873 and located in Rome, Georgia, Shorter University is a private, liberal arts university with a legacy of academic excellence and a dynamic Christian heritage. Shorter University has been ranked as one of the Top 20 Southern Comprehensive Colleges by U.S. News and World Report since 2002 and as a Best in the Southeast and a Best Value College by The Princeton Review. 137 Years of Excellence Shorter University has a rich history of providing students with a quality education in an intentionally Christian atmosphere. Shorter University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate and master s degrees. Our Mission The Mission of Shorter University is to provide quality higher education, enabling and encouraging student commitment to active, life-long learning; personal spiritual values; responsible citizenship; and community and societal leadership in a global context. The University seeks to accomplish this Mission through quality undergraduate liberal arts programs, specialized professional programs, and select graduate programs. Geographically distant locations and online classes provide educational opportunities to individuals who are unable to attend classes in a traditional setting. The University affirms a commitment to the Christian faith and strives to integrate Christian values within a nurturing community in its whole process of education. 2
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Shorter University s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in early childhood education degree provides advanced professional development for practicing teachers who are certified in early childhood education. The program is designed to provide appropriate progress toward credential advancement and development as a classroom professional. Courses in Master of Education in Early Childhood Education The M.Ed. is a thirty-seven (37) semester hour program that is designed where it may be used to meet the requirements to move from a T-4 to T-5 certification in early childhood education, or to prepare for the Georgia examination for early childhood certification to add this certification to already-held Georgia Certification(s) in the middle or secondary grades. Courses will emphasize application of evidence-based participatory research for professional development, expanding teaching skills, and updating theoretical bases of early childhood learning and instruction. Major emphases will also include the role of the professional teacher in a pluralistic and inclusive classroom, as well as the demands placed on teachers within a dynamic, ever-changing society. Students will take the following courses: EDU 5000 Introduction to Master of Education (1 hr.) EDU 5100 Reading, Interpreting, and Applying Research (3 hrs.) EDU 5120 Essential of Multimedia skills, Strategies, and E-Portfolio Development (3 hrs.) EDU 5800 Psychology of Classroom Learning (3 hrs.) EDU 5130 Multiple Assessment Strategies (3 hrs.) EDU 5810 Creating Essential Connections for Early Childhood Learning Environments: Schools, Families, and Communities (3 hrs.) EDU 5160 Curricular Integration of Creative Experiences for Young Children (3 hrs.) EDU 5140 Research and Best Practices for Preventing, Diagnosing and Correcting Reading Problems (3 hrs.) EDU 5150 Research-based Critical Advanced Integrated Science and Mathematics for Early Childhood (3 hrs.) EDU 5820 Research-based Instructional Practices (3 hrs.) EDU 5170 Research-based Integrated Models of Instruction in ECE Language Arts and Social Studies (3 hrs.) EDU 5830 Classroom Management for Early Grades (3 hrs.) EDU 5990 Action Research Performance Portfolio (3 hrs.) Through online learning, obtaining a quality and highly respected degree from Shorter University is easier than ever. Students who cannot meet regularly during the school week because of employment, family matters, and other commitments now have a solution. Online classes are administered in an asynchronous format students log into the course, retrieve their assignments, submit work, and take quizzes when their schedules permit. 3
Careers Careers as a Teacher Early Childhood Teachers help young students develop the skills and knowledge to help shape their lives and future. Most elementary school teachers educate students on various subjects and may use fun tools to teach basic skills. Teachers also plan and execute lessons while teaching basic behavioral skills and discipline. Despite the rewards of a teaching career, America faces a shortage of teachers. Demand for teachers in Georgia is expected to increase significantly. The Georgia Department of Labor has predicted a more than 23% increase in the K-12 teacher workforce between 2006 and 2016. Nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for teachers in Early Childhood are expected to grow by up to 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. You re in charge of your future! Salaries for Kindergarten and Elementary School teachers in Georgia: (Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 2009) 22,000 to 67,000 4
Applying Requirements for Admission To be accepted into Shorter University s Master of Education program, applicants must: Complete Application. A bachelor s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Two (2) recommendations from individuals who can attest to the candidate s qualifications. Practicing PK-5 teacher with teaching certification (T-4) in Early Childhood Education. Submission of official score from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Management Aptitude Test (MAT); test must have been taken within five years of date of application to the M.Ed. Program. Signed Georgia Professional Standards Commission Code of Ethics for Educators. Acceptance by the Graduate Education Council. Graduation Requirements Successful completion of the thirty-seven (37) credit hours in the M.Ed. Program. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Successful completion of approved action research field experiences. Successful completion of action research E-portfolio. Acceptance of E- portfolio by graduation education faculty review. Abide by Georgia Professional Standards Commission Code of Ethics for Educators. File an Intent to Graduate form with the registrar following the specific guidelines set forth in the Shorter University catalog. Payment of all tuition and fees, including library fines, graduation fees and any other fines or fees collect by Shorter University. Recommendation of the graduate faculty and approval of Shorter University faculty and Board of Trustees. why shorter University? A well-established institution with a reputation for educational excellence. Superior academic programs and high-quality instruction. A caring Christian atmosphere. Small class sizes. A substantial level of individualized attention given to each student from their professors. A faculty in which two-thirds of the professors hold the highest degree available in their fields of expertise. 5
Tuition & Financial Aid Shorter University understands the potential struggles associated with financing a college education, and it is our goal to work with students on any financial aid issues. For detailed information about the process of applying for student financial aid, visit our Web site at http://online.shorter.edu/financial-aid/. Tuition & Fees $350 per credit hour $25 Tech fee per course $25 Application fee $36 Taskstream fee $150 Graduation fee For more information, please visit our Online Campus at http://online.shorter.edu or contact: Samantha Tew Student Account Coordinator 706-233-7211 stew@shorter.edu Financial Aid We encourage all students to apply for financial aid as soon as possible by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information, please visit our Online Campus at http://online.shorter.edu or contact: K r i s ta Huckaby F i n a n c i a l A i d A d v i s o r 706-233-7423 khuckaby@shorter.edu 6