Creating Exemplary Professionals, the overarching goal of the Conceptual Framework of the Professional Education Unit at the College and its attendant themes serves as the philosophical foundation for all courses in the Department of Elementary/Early Childhood Education. The Department has two distinct undergraduate programs; Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. There are two programs at the graduate level; Master of Education in Elementary Education and the Master of Art in Teaching.
The themes and their associated learning outcomes are emphasized in the undergraduate and graduate courses and programs. The themes are listed below:
Knowledge and Inquiry Excellence in Practice Multiculturalism Diversity and Inclusion Multiple Contexts and Communities Leadership and Advocacy
Elementary and Early Childhood teachers must have a broad academic background as well as a practical understanding of the school curriculum. Both the Elementary and Early Childhood programs offer a sequence of course work in the theory and practice of education and provide students with field experience in the schools. At the graduate level study towards a Master of Arts in Elementary Teaching (MAT) is done concomitantly with study towards the New Jersey certificate in elementary school teaching. The Master of Education (MEd) in elementary education is designed to increase the professional competence of fully certified elementary school teachers.