2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
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Coordinator:
Ambika Bhargava
405F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-3026
abhargav@oakland.edu
Program description
The program prepares professionals to work with children from birth through age eight in public and private schools and agency settings. It also provides training for the direction and evaluation of early childhood programs and the coordination of community resources for young children and families. The program combines theory with observation and participation in clinical, community and school practicum settings.
The program emphasizes a broad interdisciplinary view of early childhood education and child development. Also emphasized are multicultural issues concerning young children and their families, and the need for educational programs to respect and respond to children’s developmental variabilities and exceptionalities.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
- March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
- March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.
Special Graduate classification: Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- Supplemental Program Form
- The two recommendations must be from individuals who are in a supervisory relationship to the applicant
- Goal statement which includes the reasons for application, the intended focus of graduate study, professional and career goals, and a description of experiences and accomplishments in working with children and their families.
- To be admitted to the M.Ed in early childhood education degree program in full standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0, but with an appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation, may be considered for admission in limited standing. Students who qualify for this admission classification must complete a maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.
- Completion of a minimum of 24 credits at the undergraduate or graduate level in education, humanities, social sciences, health or an appropriate related field (this requirement is carefully weighed by the department’s faculty admissions committee).
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
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Degree requirements
The Master of Education in early childhood education degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 36 credits in an approved program of study.
To fulfill the degree requirements, the student must complete the planned program of 36 credits, with a GPA of 3.0 or above within the six-year period allowed for the degree. Level I (20 to 22 credits)
Level II (12 credits)
Prerequisite is completion of all courses in Level I.
Possible course options for elective
Note: A Petition of Exception is required for approval of an equivalent course not listed here. Level III (4 credits)
Prerequisite is completion of all courses in Level II.
This is the final requirement of the program and consists of class meetings, seminars and the completion of an action project and a project report.
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The required types of monitoring include Time Limit, Completion Rate, Excessive Withdrawals and GPA Requirements. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details. Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study. Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. Early Childhood Education Endorsement
Endorsements generally refer to any content areas or specializations that are added to an elementary teaching certificate and can be used as planned programs for professional certification. Only those individuals who hold an elementary teaching certificate are eligible for an endorsement. Both coursework and a practicum experience are required. The ZA endorsement program in Early Childhood Education requires 20-22 credits.
The rubric for the early childhood endorsement is being changed from ZA to ZS by the State of Michigan. This may result in a change to the number of credits required for the endorsement. The last time the State of Michigan will offer the ZA test is July 2012. Requirements for the ZS will be published when approved.
Program description
This program consists of the five courses in Level 1 of the M.Ed. plus a 2-credit state-mandated practicum (EC 546) and may be applied for as an endorsement only program. Credits vary from 22-24, depending upon the student’s background and the need to fulfill practicum requirements. The students in the M.Ed. program may apply for the endorsement upon completion of Level 1 requirements, plus the practicum, and successful completion of the state competency exam.
Admission terms and application deadlines
- November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
- March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
- March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.
University graduate application requirements
- Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- Supplemental program form
- The recommendations must be from those who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study
- Copy of current (or most recent) teaching certificate
- Goal statement, which includes the reason for application, the intended focus of graduate study, a description of professional experiences and accomplishments, and professional and career goals
Relationship to the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
The endorsement is attained through completion of Level 1 courses, for those students who are eligible (hold an elementary teaching certificate). Courses taken prior to admission to the degree program may count toward the degree if completed within the six-year time frame allowed for the degree.
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