Early Childhood Education (P–3) & Teacher of Students with Disabilities
This program is designed for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and want to qualify for their first instructional certificate. It prepares teacher candidates to work in general, inclusive, and special education settings with young children in preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and Grades 1–3. It leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and eligibility for New Jersey instructional certification in Early Childhood Education (P–3) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement.
- Completion of prerequisite courses; Behavioral/Social Sciences: child and adolescent development (3) and educational psychology (3);
- Completion of the 46-credit Early Childhood Education component;
- Passing score on the Praxis II test in Early Childhood Content;
- Passing score on the GCU Physiology and Hygiene test;
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of a GCU-approved training program on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB);
- Satisfactory ratings in clinical practice including recommendation for certification;
- Satisfactory rating on candidate’s Taskstream professional portfolio demonstrating how candidate meets New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards; and
- Passing score on edTPA, the New Jersey Department of Education-mandated performance assessment.
Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.0 average in education courses is required to remain in the program.
M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education (P–3)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDC5038 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| EDC5110 | Ethics & Foundations of Incl & SpEd | 3 |
| EDC5999 | Field Experience in Special Education 1 | 1 |
| ECE5201 | Instr Des & Techn Integ in Incl ECE | 3 |
| ECE5202 | Instr in ELA & Lit I in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3 |
| ECE5203 | Numeracy in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3 |
| ECE5204 | Inst Lit II & SS Incl ECE & SpEd | 3 |
| ECE5205 | Sci & Tech in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3 |
| EDC5206 | Educational Assessment 1 | 3 |
| EDC5402 | Accom Mod & Asst Techn for SWD | 3 |
| EDC5403 | Evi-Based Prac for Inst Stdnts w/ Autism 2 | 3 |
| ECE6212 | Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ECE 3 | 3 |
| ECE6302 | Early Childhood Clinical Practice 4 | 9 |
| ECE6303 | Reflective Practice in EC & SpEd | 3 |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
| 1 | Requires 50 hours of clinical experience. |
| 2 | Requires clinical experience hours. |
| 3 | Requires 175 hours of clinical practice. |
| 4 | Requires 15 weeks of full-time clinical practice. |