Master of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education

Offered through a Partnership Between
Northwest Missouri State University
&
Missouri Southern State University

About the Program

Offered in cooperation with Northwest Missouri State University, this program is designed for students who wish to gain advanced training in the specialized field of early childhood education for children birth to age eight.

There are two categories for admission

1. Regular admission to graduate study requires a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and official scores from the GRE test. This admission does not constitute admission to a specific program. A writing assessment is required during the first trimester of enrollment. Graduate students who earn below a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms of enrollment will be suspended for one term. A student who has been re-admitted after a one-term suspension and who does not achieve a 3.00 grade point average for the term of re-admission will not be permitted to continue in that master’s degree program.

2. Conditional admission to graduate study is allowed if the student has a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.20 and 2.49. The student must achieve a 3.00 GPA in his or her first eight semester hours of graduate study or be subject to suspension for one calendar year. This conditional admission does not constitute admission to a specific program. A writing assessment is required during the first trimester of enrollment. Conditionally-admitted students, initially enrolled in eight or more hours, who withdraw from all graduate classes during their enrollment as a conditional student, will also be suspended from graduate study for one calendar year. Re-admission is possible after one year by application for re-admission to the program.

Steps for Admission

1. Submit an application for Graduate Admission.
2. Forward official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions to the Graduate Office.
3. GRE requirements must be completed before the end of the first trimester of enrollment.
4. Follow individual program admission requirements.

Application for Admission

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by the appropriate regional or national accrediting agency. The applicant must complete the Application for Admission to Graduate School. (Select Apply for Admissions. Then click First time user account creation. Create a login and pin in Admissions Login - New User and Login.) All undergraduate work toward the baccalaureate degree and any previous graduate work must be verified by official transcripts showing both the credit and grade earned. Admission to graduate study is not the same as admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. Each graduate program has specific admission policies in addition to the policies for admission to graduate study.

Transfer Credit

No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit consisting of no more than four courses may be transferred into a graduate program. Transfer credit must be from a regionally- or nationally-accredited institution. The acceptance of the full nine hours is conditional on the applicability to the student's planned degree program. Only work evaluated "B" or above is acceptable for transfer credit and applicable to a specific master's degree program. Coursework taken for ungraded credit cannot be used toward a degree. Official transcripts must show that the credit is at the graduate level. No transfer credit will be accepted for courses taken by correspondence. The Graduate School has the option of not accepting transfer credit from a regionally and nationally accredited institution for courses offered by that institution in a state outside of the state where the institution has its home campus.

Students who wish to apply for financial aid for graduate programs should complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and list the Missouri Southern State University school code (002488).  Students may access the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Following is the rate at which financial aid will be distributed:

For more information about financial aid, please contact Kathy Feith at (417) 659-5422
or feith-k@mssu.edu

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Education Early Childhood Education
		Credit Hours
Core Requirements			6
Ed 61-649	Issues in Education	3
Ed 61-682	Impr of Instr Th Action Research	2
Ed 61-683	Action Research Paper	1
Subject Field Requirements			6
Ed 61-650	Improvement of Teaching	3
Ed 61-651	Seminar & Practicum in Teaching	3
Prescribed Concentration in Early Childhood			12
Ed 63-602	Supervision of Early Childhood Programs	3
Read/Sp 61-542	Curriculum & Methods in EC Special Education	3
Psych 08-623	Advanced Child Psychology	3
Elem Ed 63-630	Field Experience in Early Childhood	3-4
Prescribed Electives			9
Read/Sp 66-544	Practicum in E. C./ Special Ed.	3
Read/Sp 66-504	Creating Inclusive Classrooms	3
Ed 63-680	Topics & Projects in ECE	3
Total Hours			33

Steps Required During the First Semester

1. Official final undergraduate transcripts must be submitted (if not previously provided).
2. Official final graduate transcripts must be submitted (if not previously provided).
3. Official GRE scores must be provided.
4. An Approved Program Form must be on file. Contact the advisor for help.
5. Submit a writing sample. Contact the advisor for help.

1. Submit graduate transcripts for transfer credit (if applicable).
2. Completion of at least 8 graduate hours required by the program.
3. For teacher education programs, supply a valid teaching certificate or official Praxis II results if required by the program. One or both of these must be on file in the Graduate Office prior to taking the comprehensive exam.
4. Must maintain a 3.00 or better GPA in the joint degree program.
5. Admission to Candidacy occurs after the Approved Program Form (APF) is filed and above requirements for candidacy have been met. A degree seeking graduate student may not continue past 15 graduate hours if he or she has not met requirements for candidacy. The Graduate Office will notify the student after he/she has been admitted to candidacy.

Steps to Graduation

1. Complete the Research Component Form upon completion of the research paper and mail or fax it to Missouri Southern State University advisor for signatures.
2. File the application with Northwest Missouri State University to take the Comprehensive Exam. This is required no later than the third week of the student's final trimester (1st week during summer). The department will notify the student with specific date and time of the exam.
3. File the application for master's degree with Northwest Missouri State University. This is required no later than the third week of the student's final trimester (1st week during summer). This form must be filed even if the student does not intend to participate in the commencement exercise.
4. During the last trimester of graduate study, check with the Graduate Office to make sure records are complete.
5. Prior to commencement, the Missouri Southern State University Registrar's Office will mail commencement information, which will contain a form to order cap, gown, and hood.
6. A one-time, graduation fee will be assessed and must be paid, even if the student does not participate in the commencement exercise.

Contact Us

Missouri Southern State University Contact Information:
Teacher Education Graduate Programs
Department of Teacher Education
Missouri Southern State University
3950 E. Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
Phone: (417) 625-9314
Fax: (417) 625-9771
E-mail:tegradprgm@mssu.edu