Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development: Tufts University

PLEASE NOTE: The Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development and the Department of Education are suspending admissions into the MAT Elementary Education program for the 2009-2010 academic year. The two departments, in conjunction with the Graduate School, plan to update, restructure, and enhance this graduate licensure program for the preparation of elementary school teachers, and are looking forward to its re launch in the near future.

Teacher Preparation Programs

Elementary Professional Licensure Program (Grades 1-6)

Course of Study
Each student's specific sequence of courses must be decided in consultation with a Program Adviser. Clusters of courses have been identified within specific domains which will enable students (with their Program Advisers) to be systematic in designing a well-rounded, comprehensive program. Choices within and among clusters are determined by analysis of prior course work and applied experiences. This flexibility allows students to develop emphasis or competence in specific areas (e. g., special education, particular curriculum areas, etc.).

The program of study leading to the Master of Arts degree and Professional licensure consists of 10 courses, including advanced courses in child development theory, analysis of educational practice, a supervised apprenticeship in teaching of 400 hours, and electives. Students seeking a master's degree and Professional licensure will take 10 courses (6-8 of these are required courses for the Professional licensure; the additional 2-4 are needed to complete a 10-course master's program). Students who already have a master's degree and seek the C.A.G.S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) only will take 6-8 courses, without the additional 2-4 open electives required for a master's degree. The required course list for the Professional licensure includes:

Research Component (one course)

CD 142 Research Methods and Design
CD 144 Qualitative and Ethnographic Methods in Applied

Science Research

ED 271 Methods of Educational Research
ED 272 Teachers as Researchers
ED 273 Seminar in Research Methods
or approved alternate

Special Needs Component (one course)

CD 195 Language Associated Disorders
CD 197 Learning Disorders
CD 296 Seminar in Special Education
CD 191 Emotional Problems of Young Children
CD 196 Curriculum for Children with Special Needs
ED 144 Learning Disabilities in the Classroom

Analysis of Educational Practice (one course)

CD 243 Observation and Analysis of Teaching
CD 270 Seminar in Early & Elementary Education
ED 260/261 Seminar in Current Educational Issues
or approved alternate

Practicum Component (one course)

ED 201 & 202 Apprenticeship in Teaching (4 - 6) (worth 2 credits)
CD 238 Apprenticeship in Teaching (1 - 3)

Guided Curriculum/Discipline Electives (two courses)
Any two graduate level courses in a relevant liberal arts academic discipline area or in a specific curriculum domain. (Both courses should be in the same content area.)

Open Electives (2-4 courses)

Total: 10* courses

*Note:
1) There may be a slight variation in the number of course credits required to complete Professional Licensure Program; this is designed to take into account the student's previous educational preparation and experience.
2) Students seeking the C.A.G.S. only will take 8 courses, without the additional 2 open elective courses.

A student must make a written application and be accepted into the licensure program. Hence, it is important that a decision is made early in one's program. Acceptance into the licensure program is contingent on the following:

A grade point average of 3.0 in the preliminary courses.
The capacity to work effectively with young children as demonstrated in
fieldwork performance.

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