
Early Childhood Education
For teachers with a passion for shaping young minds, the Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood can be completed in two years (including summer study) and focuses on early childhood behaviors, as well as the curriculum and teaching methods that are appropriate for various ages from infants through early primary years. Part of the uniqueness of this program is the special attention that is given to meeting the special needs of young children with diverse abilities.
This concentration is for teachers who have already met South Carolina Department of Education requirements for certification in elementary education.
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program.
To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam.
The add-on certification master’s with this concentration is limited to the students completing the bachelor’s degree at Furman enrolled in the five-year extended program. Currently enrolled Furman undergraduates pursuing teaching certification, who have satisfactorily completed all senior block courses including the practicum experience, eligible to enroll in EDEP-670 Teaching Internship, may gain provisional graduate admission for study in summer session prior to the completion of the teaching internship and initial certification attainment. Successful completion of all senior block courses is required before students will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses.
- EDEP-640 Best Practices for the Induction Teacher
- EDEP-670 Teaching Internship
- NOTE: Students successfully completing EDU-225 Teaching and Learning: Early Primary Years as undergraduates may be exempted from EDEC-642 Teaching and Learning: Early Primary Years.

Meet Lorraine DeJong
As coordinator for the early childhood program, DeJong has led in the development of a post-baccalaureate certification program for teachers that received recognition from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1999, 2006, and 2013. Throughout her career, DeJong has been active in and elected to numerous leadership positions within early childhood education.
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