The Early Childhood (P–3) Specialist program will prepare certified teachers to obtain the P-3 endorsement as they learn the latest research and instructional practices in early childhood education. Students who choose to continue their studies to earn 36 graduate credit hours will earn a Master of Arts degree. The elective credits for this degree program can be selected to make progress toward the following New Jersey credentials:

  • Supervisor License
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities
  • English as a Second Language
  • Bilingual Education
  • Early Literacy Specialist

Courses previously taken for an elementary certificate may be used towards the P-3 certification.  They may not be used towards the MACT degree if they were previously part of a completed MA.  Transcripts will be reviewed by the program director and the School of Education’s certification officer.

Degree Plan

The certificate is offered online by the Peter Sammartino School of Education.

Requirements

Courses Required for P–3 Certification (30 credits, including 9 credits of electives)

  • EDUC 6855 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
  • EDUC 6818 Language and Literacy I
  • EDUC 6819 Language and Literacy II
  • EDUC 6839 Literacy and Play in the Inclusive Early Childhood Setting
  • EDUC 6821 Elementary Math Content & Pedagogy I
  • EDUC 6797 Multisensory Math
  • EDUC 6740 Intro to Students with Disabilities
  • 9 Graduate Elective Credits

Courses to Complete Supervisor License and MA (12 credits) 

  • EDUC6702 Curriculum and Instruction: Theory and Practice
  • EDUC6703 Supervision of Instruction and Personnel Evaluation 
  • EDUC6757 Leading Inclusive Schools
  • EDUC6758 Data-informed Leadership

Courses to Complete Orton Gillingham Track and MA (12 credits)

  • EDUC6813 Structured Literacy: Students with Reading Difficulties 1
  • EDUC6814 Structured Literacy: Students with Reading Difficulties 2
  • EDUC7633 Structured Literacy: Students with Reading Difficulties 3
  • EDUC7644 Structured Literacy: Students with Reading Difficulties 4

Early Literacy Specialist Option without Certificate or State Endorsement (9-12 credits)

  • EDUC 6763 Theoretical Foundations of Literacy
  • EDUC 6764 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Problems
  • EDUC 6747 Multisensory Reading Instruction
  • EDUC 6492 Prevention and Remediation of Written Language Difficulties

Teacher of Students with Disabilities Option without Certificate or State Endorsement (9-12 Credits)

  • EDUC6745 Principles & Practices of Collaboration and Inclusion
  • EDUC6746 Learning Environment and Effective Management of Teaching & Learning
  • EDUC6792 Assistive Technology
  • EDUC6626 Neurophysiology

English as a Second Language Option Without Certificate or State Endorsement (9-12 Credits)

  • EDUC6574 Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers
  • EDUC6599 Methodology and Curriculum for Second Language Acquisition
  • EDUC6631 Assessment in the Second Language Classroom
  • EDUC6654 Literacy Development for Second Language Learners

Bilingual Education Option Without Certificate or State Endorsement (9-12 Credits)

  • EDUC6551 Language Acquisition in Bilingual/Bicultural Contexts 
  • EDUC6574 Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers
  • EDUC6599 Methodology and Curriculum for Second Language Acquisition
  • EDUC6654 Literacy Development for Second Language Learners

Courses Required for MA in Education for Certified Teachers (3-6 credits)

  • EDUC 7674 Master’s Research
  • EDUCXXXX Graduate Elective approved by advisor
Contact Information
School of Education
Dr. Melissa Smith, Director QUEST/Post-Bac
m.smith1@fdu.edu