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The MAT in Early Childhood/Special Education is a two-year, cohort-based program that leads to a recommendation for grades PK-3 teacher licensure and grades PK-K Special Education teacher licensure in the State of Connecticut (CT Certification #113). A new cohort begins every Fall semester.
The program is grounded in rigorous academic preparation in methods of curriculum and instruction and the preparation of teachers who support the learning of all students. We are guided by the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and seek to prepare the next generation of teachers to enact these values in their classrooms, schools, and communities.
This program is delivered through a hybrid, synchronous format.
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Armed with the knowledge in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of all children, including children with special needs, you will:
The MAT in Early Childhood Education/Special Education degree offers you valuable clinical experience. The program provides the opportunity for you to apply contemporary instructional methods and theories to real classroom settings with young children. With the practical field experience gained from the program, you are fully equipped to earn the teacher licensure and pursue your career in early childhood special education.
The School of Education benefits from two USJ affiliated schools, the Gengras Center, an on-campus school for students with significant disabilities, and the School for Young Children, an early childhood school nearby, offering students pre-professional opportunities in working with teachers, children, and families.
The distinguished faculty at USJ has a wealth of diverse experience in early childhood special education. With their passion for teaching, they serve as your mentors who challenge you to push your limits, support your academic and career journey, and empower you to become a responsible educator for children.
USJ’s Master of Arts in Teaching—Early Childhood Education/Special Education provides a comprehensive 45-credit curriculum. Through the rigorous coursework, you know the early learning process and understand the unique needs of young children. In addition, with the student-teaching practicum built into the curriculum, you can acquire adequate classroom experience to step into your early childhood education career.
You are also required to complete the edTPA requirements and Connecticut state license test requirements to earn the MAT degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education.
Learn more about the MAT in Early Childhood Education/Special Education curriculum.
With a Master of Arts in Teaching—Early Childhood Education/Special Education degree, you are well-prepared to foster young children’s learning ability and social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. You can find rewarding and in-demand careers such as teacher, instructor, administrator, special education coordinator, or director in public and private schools.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of preschool teachers will grow 18 percent and the employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers will increase 7 percent from 2020 to 2030. In terms of earning potential, according to the National Education Association’s report in 2021, the average salary for teachers in Connecticut is $78,427/year, which is the fifth-highest in the US. For teachers who are starting their careers, the average annual salary in Connecticut is $46,905.
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching—Early Childhood Education/Special Education, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67.
Submit the following documents along with your application to the MAT Early Childhood Education/Special Education degree program:
Learn more about USJ’s graduate admissions process and requirements.
Pursue your ambitions in the field of Early Childhood Education by earning a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education that leads to a teacher license. Apply today!
Have more questions?
Contact:
Meredith McConnochie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Phone: 860.231.5540
Email: [email protected]
