Elementary Education  {SF State Bulletin 2015 - 2016}

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Elementary Education

 

Graduate College of Education

Dean: Judith Munter

 

Department of Elementary Education

BH 179
Phone: 415-338-1562

 

Chair: Dr. Josephine Arce
Graduate Coordinators:
Elementary Education: Dr. Sisk-Hilton
Early Childhood Education: Dr. Henderson and Dr. Meier
Language and Literacy: Dr. Borjian and Dr. Conrad
Mathematics Education: Dr. Zavala

 

Faculty

Professors: Arce, Ford, Henderson, Meier, Quita
Associate Professors: Borjian, Kim, Lao, Luna, Sisk-Hilton
Assistant Professors: Conrad, Tseng, Zavila

 

Programs

M.A. in Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education

M.A. in Education: Concentration in Elementary Education

M.A. in Education: Concentration in Language and Literacy Education

M.A. in Education: Concentration in Mathematics Education

 

 

Program Scope

The programs are designed to deepen theoretical knowledge, to promote professional growth, and to enhance the competencies of elementary, middle and secondary school and early childhood educators.

 

Program Aims

The Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education provides early childhood educators with advanced knowledge and training in research, theory, and practice for working with children and families in multicultural and multilingual early childhood settings. This degree provides infant, toddler, preschool, primary grade, community college educators, and early childhood administrators with the skills and knowledge for teaching and leadership positions in the field of early childhood education. Courses taken for the program can qualify for Teacher and Administrator levels of the California Child Development Matrix.

 

The Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Elementary Education provides elementary school teachers with advanced knowledge of research, theory, and practice in the field of elementary education in general as well as in particular subject matter disciplines. This concentration is a continuation of the SF State Multiple Subjects Credential Program and is only open to students who have completed their credential within three years of applying to the MA.

 

The Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Language and Literacy is designed to extend candidates’ academic and professional knowledge in the field of language and literacy when teaching linguistically and culturally diverse student populations. The program provides elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers with advanced knowledge of research, theory, and practices in reading and language arts with a particular emphasis on the needs of English and second language learners. There is a strong emphasis on teaching literacy to students who are in urban school settings.

 

The Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Mathematics Education provides elementary, middle school, high school teachers with advanced knowledge of research, theory, and practice in the teaching and learning of school mathematics and expands their knowledge of mathematics content. This program is run jointly with the secondary education department. Those holding a single subject mathematics credential should apply through the secondary department. Teachers holding Multiple Subject credentials will be eligible to apply for a supplementary authorization in mathematics for middle school teaching. This degree also prepares teachers to assume leadership roles in their schools and districts.

 

General Requirements for Admissions

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Applicants to all concentration in elementary education will have their statement of purpose essays (submitted within the admission process) evaluated for writing proficiency. Details about this evaluation appear in each concentration description below.

Level Two is satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the Teacher Research Project, E ED 890; Field Study, E ED 895; or Master's Thesis, E ED 898.

 

Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Students who were admitted to a M.A. program before fall 2008 are required to be enrolled in the University during the semester of anticipated graduation. To meet this requirement, many students choose to enroll in enroll in a zero-unit designated College of Extended Learning course established for this purpose.

 

Students admitted fall 2008 and beyond have the semester they enroll in the culminating experience and the following semester to complete their degree requirements. Those who need additional time must enroll in a zero-unit designated CEL course every subsequent semester until the culminating experience is completed.

 

For more information, please contact your department or the Graduate College of Education Graduate Office (BH 244).

 

On-line course descriptions for these programs are available.

 

Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education

This 33-unit program consists of a core of required courses and electives. The required courses provide students with advanced preparation in child growth and development, cultural and linguistic diversity, early childhood curricula, and research methodologies. The program places a special emphasis on teacher research as a primary methodology of inquiry for all early childhood practitioners. Coursework also focuses on understanding child development within varied social and cultural contexts, culturally responsive teaching and curriculum development for diverse populations, and providing family and community support. The culminating experience requirement for the concentration in early childhood education is the completion of a thesis or field study.

 

Admission to Program

Application for admission to the program is a two-step process that should be completed simultaneously:

  1. Apply to the university: Complete the on-line CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission to the university by accessing http://grad.sfsu.edu/.
  2. Apply to the department by completing a department application, which can be accessed online at http://gcoe.sfsu.edu/docs/eed/documents/maappform.pdf or by contacting the graduate assistant at gradeed@sfsu.edu. Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
    1. Possession of an elementary teaching credential or the completion of a minimum of 12 units in professional course work relevant to early childhood education, including courses in child development and early childhood curriculum.
    2. A minimum of one full year successful experience working with young children.
    3. Submission of a written statement of purpose (2 page minimum) to the program co-coordinators. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the MA, concentration early childhood education, and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation for the degree. The content and writing skill demonstrated will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and to determine if the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below).
    4. Two letters of recommendation: one letter from an instructor addressing the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate level work, and one letter providing evidence of recent work experience with young children.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Applicants are assessed on the application essay based upon the early childhood education program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers: (1) mechanics and style, (2) coherence and argumentation, and (3) content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals for the program. Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either admitted, admitted conditionally, or not admitted. Applicants admitted conditionally are required to earn a minimum grade of B in two program approved writing intensive courses, E ED 721 and E ED 707.

Level Two: Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 895 or E ED 898.

 

Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Education (M.A.)   — minimum 33 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Core Courses - Required (18 units)

Electives (9 units)

Select three courses from the following:

Early childhood coursework in SPED, ECE concentration: (3 units)

Relevant course work: SPED, ISED, EDAD, or ITEC: (3 units)

A course in a department outside the College of Education: (3 units)
(with permission of advisor)

Coursework from recent SF State Multiple Subject Credential: (6 units)

Culminating Experience - Required (6 units)

Choose one

Note: Nine units from the SF State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program may be counted toward elective units within this degree. The following courses may be applied: E ED 782, E ED 783, E ED 749. Upon advisement, six units earned at another institution may be counted toward the degree. Courses can be counted from a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, upper division undergraduate courses, or graduate level coursework, only if these units were not used toward another degree. In keeping with University requirements, courses can count on the Advancement to Candidacy only within a seven-year window.

 

Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Elementary Education

Admission to Program

Applicants must possess an elementary teaching credential or the equivalent or be in the student teaching phase of the Multiple Subjects Credential Program.

 

Application to the program is a two-part process that should be completed simultaneously:

  1. Apply to the University (students currently enrolled in the Multiple Subjects Credential Program may skip this step): Complete the on-line CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission by accessing http://grad.sfsu.edu/.
  2. Apply to the Elementary Education department by completing an application, which can be accessed online at http://gcoe.sfsu.edu/docs/eed/documents/maappform.pdf, or by contacting the graduate assistant at gradeed@sfsu.edu. Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
    1. Possession of a Multiple Subject or elementary teaching credential.
    2. Currently enrolled in the SF State Multiple Subjects Credential Program or completed the program within the previous 3 years.
    3. Submission of a written statement of purpose (two page minimum) to the program coordinator. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the degree and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation. Both content and writing skill will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and will determine whether the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below).
    4. Two letters of recommendation from the following:
      1. A college/university instructor addressing the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate level work.
      2. A supervisor at a school or district addressing the applicant’s successful experience in classroom teaching or related work.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Applicants to the program are assessed on the application essay based upon the elementary education program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers: (1) mechanics and style, (2) coherence and argumentation, and (3) content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals for the program. Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either not admitted, admitted, or admitted conditionally. Applicants admitted conditionally are required to earn a minimum grade of B in the program- approved writing intensive course: E ED 760.

Level Two: Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 890 or E ED 895.

 

Education (M.A.): Concentration in Elementary Education — 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Credential Courses to Be Counted Toward MA Degree (12 units)

Additional Required Courses (9 units)

At least nine units must form an Area of Specialization:

Elective Courses (6 units)

Select 6 units
(may include additional relevant courses with approval of advisor)

Culminating Experience (3 units)

 

Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Language and Literacy Education

Admission to Program

Application to the program is a two-part process that should be completed simultaneously:

  1. Apply to the University: Complete the on-line CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission by accessing http://grad.sfsu.edu/.
  2. Meet the following program requirements:
    1. Possession of an elementary or secondary education credential or 24 units of professional course work directly related to education.
    2. Applicants must have two years of teaching experience or equivalent professional experience that is directly related to literacy education.
    3. Applicants who do not meet the professional education requirements above may meet with the coordinator for an evaluation of his/her academic background and experience.
    4. Applicants must submit a written statement of purpose to the graduate coordinator of language and literacy. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the M.A., concentration in language and literacy education, and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation for the degree. The content and writing skill demonstrated will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and to determine if the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below).
    5. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units.
    6. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation addressing the following:
      1. Academic ability to pursue graduate work (from a professor).
      2. Professional experience teaching children, youth, or adults (from an administrator, or another educator who has collaborated with the applicant)

 

Written English Proficiency Requirements

Level One: Applicants to the program are assessed on the application essay based upon the language and literacy education program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers: (1) mechanics and style, (2) coherence and argumentation, and (3) content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals for the program. Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either admitted, admitted conditionally, or not admitted. Applicants admitted conditionally are required to earn a minimum grade of B in one of the program approved writing intensive course: E ED 720, E ED 723, or E ED 869.

Level Two: Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 890 or E ED 895.

 

The Master of Arts in Education: concentration in Language and Literacy Education provides elementary to high school teachers with in-depth knowledge of research, theory, and practice in teaching and observing the learning development of students who are native English speakers, bilingual speakers, and/or students who speak variations of English. This degree provides advanced preparation and professional development for teaching in schools as well as for assuming such leadership roles as mentor teachers, literacy curriculum leaders, and staff developers. In addition, graduate students may combine this Concentration with a Reading and Literacy Specialist Credential or the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (see Credentials ).

 

Education (M.A.): Concentration in Language and Literacy Education — minimum 33 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Core courses: (3 units)

Select one of the following:

Background and Theory (12 units)

Select one of the following:

Classroom Applicants (12 units)

Culminating Experience (6 units)

 

Master of Arts in Education: Concentration in Mathematics Education

Admission to Program

Application is a two-part process that should be completed simultaneously:

  1. Apply to the University: Complete the on-line CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission by accessing http://grad.sfsu.edu/.
  2. Apply to the department by completing a department application, which can be accessed online at http://gcoe.sfsu.edu/docs/eed/documents/maappform.pdf or by contacting the graduate assistant at gradeed@sfsu.edu.
     
    Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
    1. Possession of a Multiple Subject or elementary teaching credential.
    2. A minimum of two years of experience teaching mathematics at the elementary or middle school level.
    3. In the event the candidate has not met the requirements in (a) or (b) above, he/she may meet with a mathematics education advisor to evaluate his or her academic and professional background.
    4. Submission of a written statement of purpose (2-page minimum) to the program coordinator. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant’s goals for seeking the M.A. concentration elementary education, and describe the applicant’s level of academic and professional preparation for the degree. The content and writing skill demonstrated will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision and to determine if the candidate has met Level One Written Language Proficiency at admission (see below).
    5. Two letters of recommendation that address (1) the applicant's ability to pursue graduate level work and (2) successful experience in classroom teaching of mathematics.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Applicants are assessed on the application essay based upon the program’s criteria. The evaluation rubric considers: (1) mechanics and style, (2) coherence and argumentation, and (3) content, that is, the relevancy of applicants’ experience and goals for the mathematics education program. Depending on their essay scores, applicants are either admitted, admitted conditionally, or not admitted. Applicants admitted conditionally must earn a grade of at least B on the literature review assignment, as well as an overall grade of at least B in the program approved writing intensive course: S ED/E ED 760 and must clearly demonstrate graduate level writing appropriate to our discipline.

Level Two: Students are assessed on the quality of their culminating experience, E ED 895 or E ED 898.

 

Education (M.A.): Concentration in Mathematics Education — minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Mathematics Courses (9 units)

Choose three courses.

Education Courses (12 units)

Core Courses (6 units)

Graduate Level Elective (3 units)

To be determined in consultation with advisor

 

Footnotes

  1. To be taken for emphasis in cross-cultural, language, and academic development.
  2. To be taken for emphasis in early literacy.

 

 

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