UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Test Scores: Test optional (not required for admission or graduation)
• Letters of Recommendation: 2
• Writing Sample: Optional
• Other: Statement of purpose, transcripts, résumé

Deadlines: April 1 for summer, July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar’s website

Initial Licensure Track

Required Courses (31 Credits)

• ECHD 601 - Foundational Understandings of Early Childhood/Early Intervention and Special Education 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 611 - Development and Characteristics of All Young Learners Including Those with Special Needs. 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 621 - Creating Effective Learning Environments and Fostering Positive Social Interactions 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 622 - Observing, Documenting and Assessing in Early Childhood/Early Intervention 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 640 - Language Development and Literacy in Early Childhood/Early Intervention 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 641 - Science and Mathematics Instruction for All Young Children 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 689 - Early Childhood Pre-Practicum PreK-2 1 Credit(s)
• ECHD 690 - Planning Curriculum in Early Childhood 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 606 - Sociocultural Foundations of Education 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 646 - Understanding Reading: Principles and Practices 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 650 - Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners 3 Credit(s)

Practicum Course (6 Credits)

• ECHD 685 - Practicum II-PreK-2nd grade 6 Credit(s)

Non-Licensure Track

Required Courses (30 Credits)

• ECHD 601 - Foundational Understandings of Early Childhood/Early Intervention and Special Education 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 611 - Development and Characteristics of All Young Learners Including Those with Special Needs. 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 621 - Creating Effective Learning Environments and Fostering Positive Social Interactions 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 622 - Observing, Documenting and Assessing in Early Childhood/Early Intervention 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 640 - Language Development and Literacy in Early Childhood/Early Intervention 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 641 - Science and Mathematics Instruction for All Young Children 3 Credit(s)
• ECHD 690 - Planning Curriculum in Early Childhood 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 606 - Sociocultural Foundations of Education 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 630 - Inclusion PreK-12:Diversity and Equity in Inclusive Settings 3 Credit(s)
• EDC G 646 - Understanding Reading: Principles and Practices 3 Credit(s)

Electives (6 Credits)

Complete two courses from an area of interest in early childhood education, special education or sheltered English immersion. Courses must be approved by the graduate program director.

Initial Licensure Track

Complete 37 credits from 13 courses including twelve required courses, and one practicum course.

Capstone: Completion of a portfolio as part of EDC G 690.
Practicum: Students wishing to do any form of supervised practicum must apply for approval and placement the semester prior to the one in which the practicum is to take place (spring applications are due in October and fall applications are due in March). Policies and applications are available from the Office of Teacher Education.

All candidates for initial licensure are required to take the full 6-credit practicum. A full practicum lasts 14 weeks (one full semester) and consists of a minimum of 300 hours of supervised student teaching.

The practicum is split into two sets of hours and settings:

1. 100 hours of the practicum must be completed in a Pre-K or K classroom
2. 200 hours of the practicum must be completed in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom.

Please note: all candidates are required to complete the above hours. Current teachers of record and paraprofessionals must still meet the hour and setting requirements. There are no exceptions or waivers for the Early Childhood practicum.

Exams: Take Foundations of Reading MTEL after completing EDC G 646. The Early Childhood MTEL is also required and should be taken as soon as possible.

All MTELs must be passed prior to taking ECHD 685 - Practicum II-PreK-2nd grade.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program.
Statute of limitations: Five years.

Non-Licensure Track

Complete 36 credits from twelve courses including ten required courses and two electives.

Capstone: Complete a capstone project.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program.
Statute of limitations: Five years.

Graduate Program Director Mona Abo-Zena
Mona.AboZena [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-7614