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The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education (ECEM) is one of three departments in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance (EHHP) and the EHHP is one of five schools at the College of Charleston (undergraduate programs), and The Graduate School at the College of Charleston (graduate programs).

The primary goal of the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education is the preparation of highly effective teachers to meet the educational needs of children and youth. To meet this goal, the department offers graduate programs in elementary and early childhood education.

• ECEM Faculty and Staff
• Office of Student Services and Certification
• Degrees and Programs of Study

Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Middle Level Education

These programs are designed for students who intend to become certified in Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-3), Elementary Education (Grades 2-6), or Middle Level Education (Grades 5-8).

• Academic Life: Early Childhood | Elementary | Middle Level
• Declare an Education Major or Minor
• Acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program
• Degree Worksheet (.pdf)
• Course of Study / Class Descriptions
• Unit Assessment System

Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-3)

The M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education, an NCATE-accredited program that focuses on the education of children in pre-kindergarten through third grade, is nationally recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is designed for those who want to teach young children and have undergraduate degrees in non-education disciplines.

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades pre-kindergarten through three in South Carolina, in addition to a Master’s Degree. The State of South Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements with many State Departments of Education across the United States. Teacher Education Program requirements are described in detail in a candidate information packet, which a candidate receives prior to meeting with the program director to complete a program of study.

• Degree Requirements
• Admission Requirements
• Deadlines for application
• Program of Study

Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (Grades 2-6)

The M.A.T. in elementary education, an NCATE-accredited program that focuses on the education of second through sixth-graders, is designed for those who want to teach young children and have undergraduate degrees in non-education disciplines. The program combines academic work and a variety of experiences in public elementary schools.

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades 2 - 6 in South Carolina, in addition to a master’s degree. The State of South Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements with many State Departments of Education across the United States. Teacher Education Program requirements are described in detail in a candidate information packet, which a candidate receives prior to meeting with the program director to complete a program of study.

• Degree Requirements
• Admission Requirements
• Deadlines for application
• Program of Study

Non-degree Status (Certified teachers only)

Certified educators who are not seeking a degree, but who wish to take courses in education for the purposes of professional development and recertification, may be admitted as non-degree students.

• Submit a completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $45 ($35 online).
• Submit a copy of a professional teaching credential.

The non-degree graduate student subsequently may be reclassified as a regular-degree student in an M.Ed. program. In order to accomplish reclassification as a regular-degree student, the candidate must submit two letters of recommendation, a graduate course transcript with at least a 3.0 GPA (if courses have been completed) and other requirements listed above. No more than a total of 6 credit hours of work taken in non-degree status may be applied toward degree requirements if the student is later admitted to a degree program. Non-degree status is not intended to be a temporary classification for those found ineligible for admission to the degree program.