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Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2)
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Grade Levels:
preK-2
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Credits for Licensure:
31-34
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Credits:
30-32
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Degree:
Master of Education
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Program Approved:
MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Program Description
Gain the specialized knowledge and training to become an early childhood teacher. This program prepares you to pursue an initial license in Early Childhood PreK-2 With and Without Disabilities. The early childhood teaching degree at Cambridge College offers licensure and non-licensure options and is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Cambridge College Early Childhood Teacher Program Highlights
If you enjoy working with children, becoming an early childhood teacher can be a rewarding career choice. This program will prepare you for the classroom while providing a flexible, affordable pathway to your master’s degree.
- Field-based learning. Licensure students will take part in a 14-week supervised field experience, as well as a supporting practicum seminar based on the Professional Standards for Teachers in Massachusetts.
- Flexible class schedules. With day, evening, weekend, and online class options designed for working professionals, you can pursue your master’s degree on a schedule that fits your life.
- Affordable tuition. Our tuition rate is among the country’s most affordable for a four-year private nonprofit college, offering quality education at exceptional value.
- Experienced faculty. Cambridge College faculty bring diverse early childhood research experience to the program and work closely with students as teachers and mentors.
- Diverse experiences. Ranked as one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in America, Cambridge College gives you the opportunity to work with other adult learners from all over the world, enriching your educational experience in the process.
- Convenient location. All of our classroom locations are close to public transportation and/or offer free student parking throughout the year.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), enrollment in Pre-K education has increased from 96,000 to over 1 million in the last 30 years.
Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2) Learning Outcomes
Through the coursework for this program, you’ll learn how to become a skilled, knowledgeable, and creative early childhood teacher who knows how to:
- Create developmentally appropriate lessons and activities for children in PreK-2 settings.
- Use inclusive practices appropriate for children with learning disabilities and for diverse students (including English language learners) to enhance the abilities of their children.
- Create a safe and collaborative learning environment that fosters positive socioemotional development.
- Set high expectations for all students and establish measurable assessments of learning.
- Engage in ongoing reflection on practice.
Early Childhood Teacher Jobs
Graduates of the licensure option are eligible for initial licensure and will be qualified to teach preschool, kindergarten, and other early learning classrooms.
Alternative career options for early childhood teacher graduates include working as teaching assistants or preschool and childcare center directors.
Early Childhood Teacher Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts is one of the top paying states in the nation for kindergarten teachers, with an average annual salary of $71,790.
Preschool teachers in Massachusetts currently make an average of $37,510 per year. Boston is one of the metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation.
Keep in mind that salaries for early childhood teachers will vary depending on your experience and where you live and work.
Example Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2) Courses
The Early Childhood Teacher master’s degree program at Cambridge College offers a hands-on, comprehensive curriculum featuring classes such as:
- Inclusion and Classroom Behavior Management
- Development of Young Children
- Practicum: Early Childhood (licensure only)
Download the Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2) program sheet.
Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2) Scholarships and Financial Aid
You may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans, and other types of financial assistance to help pay for your master’s degree. Learn more about applying for financial aid at Cambridge College.
Many companies also offer tuition assistance programs that can help to pay for education. Find information about getting your company to help.
Related Programs at Cambridge College
If you’re still exploring degree options, you might be interested in learning more about these Master of Education programs at Cambridge College:
Curriculum
Please note: At Cambridge College locations outside of Massachusetts, this program is currently non-licensure only.
This course will assist the new student in planning and developing a graduate study program that is appropriate to the student's academic and professional needs. When a student is accepted into the program he/she should enroll immediately only in this course and work with an advisor to schedule additional courses. In addition, this course will offer opportunities for more direct advising, introduction to College protocols such as TaskStream and other opportunities for academic success.
Prerequisite: ELE 500. This course emphasizes the development of children’s reading and writing skills in the primary to upper elementary grades and the learning environment that supports the development of such skills. The relationships between the theories and current research on emergent literacy, oral language, vocabulary development, comprehension, the reading and writing process and assessment will be reviewed and analyzed by the members of this course. In addition, participants will review and discuss the following topics: scientifically-based reading instruction, whole language, balanced literacy, effective teaching strategies, use of research-based programs, literature-based instruction, use of different assessment tools to inform instruction, standard-based instruction, federal funding, culture and democracy. Candidates implement well-structured lessons that reflect knowledge of the essential elements of scientifically-based reading instruction, formative assessment, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, and the role of academic feedback, and questioning to support higher-order thinking. Pre-practicum hours of directed field-based training required.
Improving math instruction for students with disabilities: This course is designed to promote collaboration between mathematics and special educators to improve math instruction and outcomes for all students including students with disabilities. The course is intended to assist math instructors and special needs teachers by providing a structure for developing a shared vision, common language and foundational knowledge of mathematics instruction and the instructional needs of math students with disabilities. The course will focus on protocols developed as the result of a four-year collaboration between DESE Offices of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Special Education Planning and Policy at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, EDC and math and special educators from the districts participating in the Massachusetts Urban Math support Network. High quality core curriculum and instruction begins with the Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks. These protocols address the conceptual understandings and mathematical practices that are an essential part of rigorous math expectations for all students with disabilities when planning mathematics instruction, educators will be better able to address the needs of all learners.
- Pass all teacher tests required by Massachusetts for this license: Communication & Literacy, Early Childhood, and Foundations of Reading (MTEL).
- SEI605 Sheltered English Immersion (3 credits) or Mass. ESE-endorsed course or SEI MTEL.
- Pass all required courses.
- Pre-Practicum — Successfully complete program-specific hours in diverse settings (0 credit)
- EDU704 Practicum Readiness (1 credit)
- Submit Practicum Application and Practicum Placement Approval Form.
This course is specifically designed to determine readiness for the practicum. It will assist the teacher candidate to develop his/her skills to be ready to assume the role of student teacher from the first day of practicum. Students will understand the requirements of CAP by engaging in and completing the forms for each of the "essentials" and completing their own goals. All of the TaskStream components, other than the practicum documents, will be completed. MTELs will be completed. Those having difficulty with the MTELs will be directed for support. Field work assignments will be required.
Licensure students only.
The practicum is guided and evaluated by a licensed/certified early childhood teacher in the classroom and a Cambridge College early childhood supervisor. Practicum locations are subject to MA DESE regulations and must be approved by the program chair. Students are responsible for discussing options for practicum with the program chair.
Program Chair
Core Faculty
Senior Instructor
Pages
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs.
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Health Requirements for Massachusetts Students
The Massachusetts Health Department and Cambridge College require the following of students in Massachusetts:
Immunizations – All students in Massachusetts are required to get certain immunizations before you can register for your first term. See form
Health Insurance – In Massachusetts, undergraduate students taking nine or more credits/term and graduate students taking six or more credits/term must enroll in the College’s health insurance plan. Students who have insurance with comparable coverage may request a waiver. See information and enroll or waive.
School Requirements
See Admissions Requirements for School of Education
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Graduate program applicants, please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more.
Undergraduate program applicants, once you are accepted, your official transcripts are evaluated for transfer credit.
Tuition
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Credits for Licensure:
31-34
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Credits:
30-32
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Cost per credit hour:
$609
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
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Health Insurance Fee:
$3,962 - Required for Massachusetts students only. See waiver details on Tuition & Fees page.
Note: Rates are as of July 2022, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more