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. 

This 36-credit Master of Arts program also includes courses leading to a supervisor’s certificate.  Graduates will earn two different certificates (P-3 endorsement and a supervisor’s license) and increase their professional knowledge and potential for employment. Obtaining a supervisor’s license in New Jersey requires candidates to have a master’s degree and three (3) successful years of teaching. Presenting a standard teaching certificate or a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam are requirements of admission.

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 (15 credits) 

  • EDUC6740 Introduction to Students with Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders  
  • EDUC6818 Language Development and Literacy I 
  • EDUC6821 Early Elementary Mathematics: Content and Pedagogy 
  • EDUC6852 Curriculum Development and Assessment for the Preschool to 3rd Grade Classroom  
  • EDUC6853 Family and Community in Education 

Courses Required for MA in Education for Certified Teachers and Recommended for Certification (9 credits) — 24 credits required for certification 

  • EDUC5501 Educational Technologies 
  • EDUC6851 Child Development from Birth to Age Eight (This requirement for licensure may be waived if candidate took Child Development as an undergraduate course.) 
  • EDUC6931 Diversity, Equity and Justice in Schools and Society 
  • EDUC7812 Final Project 
  • EDUCXXXX Graduate Elective approved by adviser 

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 
Contact Information
School of Education
Dr. Melissa Smith, Director QUEST/Post-Bac
m.smith1@fdu.edu