The Master of Arts in Elementary Education program is state-approved and provides the necessary qualifications for initial teacher certification (Grades K-6) for individuals who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than Elementary Education, or students transferring into the Elementary Education program from the Initial Teacher Preparation Program (ITTP), or students entering the Elementary Education MA from the Professional Studies 3+1 accelerated program, and who wish to become certified to teach in this field. This program is committed to preparing highly qualified Elementary Education teachers with knowledge and skills aligned with research-based best practices. Additionally, graduates from this program will have the requirements to apply for state-approved ESOL Endorsement (Grades K-12) and Reading Endorsement (Grades K-12) upon graduation. The Master of Arts in Elementary Education (Grades K-6) ESOL Endorsement/Reading Endorsement (Grades K-12) is subject to any change in the Florida Administrative Code (State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066). Students enrolled in this program should remain in close contact with their adviser to keep informed of any program changes implemented to comply with new state requirements. The Elementary Education MA requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. If the MA program will be providing a student's initial certification, 65 clock hours of field experience must be completed before enrolling in the supervised internship.
Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's DegreeThis program prepares students for state-regulated professional licensure or certification. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please view the licensure disclosure for the program.
Program Prerequisites
These foundation core/co-requisite courses are prescribed by Florida State Statutes for initial teacher preparation (ITP):
- EEX 5051 - Exceptional Children in the Schools
- EDG 6415 - Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6237 - Principles of Learning and Introduction to Classroom Assessment 3 Credit Hours
- RED 5147 - Developmental Reading 3 Credit Hours
- TSL 5085 - Teaching Language Minority Students in K12 Classrooms
If students enter the Elementary Education MA program with successful completion of any prior or equivalent related coursework in the Foundation Core/Co-requisite area as prescribed by Florida State Statutes for initial teacher preparation, course waivers can be requested. Students entering the Elementary Education MA program without prior related courses and/or appropriate teacher certifications may need to complete courses in the Foundation Core/Co-requisite area. Please note: All prior coursework will be considered. Please make an appointment with a Program Advisor if you are considering the Elementary Education MA program to discuss prior coursework eligibility.
Degree Requirements
Core
18 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- EDE6933 - Introductory Seminar in Elementary Education (1)
- EDG6415 - Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management (3)
- EDF6237 - Principles of Learning and Introduction to Classroom Assessment (3)
- EDF6727 - Critical Analysis of Social, Ethical, Legal, and Safety Issues Related to Education (3)
- TSL5085 - Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (3)
- TSL6250 - Applied Linguistics in ESOL (3)
- EDE6935 - Capstone Seminar in Elementary Education (2)
- EDE 6933 should be taken in the first semester of the program, when possible EDE 6935 should be taken in the final semester during Graduate Internship
Specialization
24 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- LAE5319 - Methods of Elementary School Language Arts (3)
- LAE5415 - Children's Literature in Elementary Education (3)
- MAE6318 - Current Methods in Elementary School Mathematics (3)
- SCE6315 - Methods in Elementary School Science (3)
- RED5147 - Developmental Reading (3)
- RED5517 - Classroom Diagnosis and Development of Reading Proficiencies (3)
- RED5948 - Practicum in Reading Assessment and Instruction (3)
- SSE6115 - Methods in Elementary School Social Science (3)
- Note: EDE 6933 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for the specialization courses above.
Internship
6 Total Credits
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EDE 6946 Graduate Internship (traditional or On-the-Job internship experiences available) Satisfactory completion of graduate internship requires the student to demonstrate proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices at the pre-professional level in accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.065.
Grand Total Credits: 48
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. Grants are not offered for graduate-level studies. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
The program requires a portfolio of both reflective practice/analysis of professional development and demonstration of attainment of the pre-professional level of performance for all of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. Multiple artifacts and reflective analyses are required for each of the accomplished practices. All portfolio entries are critical components of learning since they are the primary means of assessing the professional development of students as reflective practitioners. The program also requires an internship.
All teacher education candidates are required to complete Student Learning and Licensure (SLL)by Watermark requirements before being certified for graduation. SLL by Watermark access is required for the portfolio. See, Student Learning & Licensure (SLL) by WatermarkTM - College of Community Innovation and Education (ucf.edu)
Students should also plan to enroll in TSL 5085 early in the program to learn about infused English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) requirements, including preparation of the TESOL notebook.
Each student is asked to make an appointment with the STE Program Advisor during their first semester of study to build their Plan of Study.
Students should ensure that they meet all requirements for Graduate Internship:
- Overall graduate GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
- Completion of all 65 required service-learning hours, along with a completed Service-Learning Log located in Student Learning & Licensure (accessed in the EDE 6933 webcourse).
- A passing score on the Professional Education Test (PET) is required before graduation.
- Students must apply and be approved for a graduate internship. Deadline dates and applications are available through the Office of Immersive Experiences here.
- Satisfactory completion of the Graduate Internship requires the student to demonstrate proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices at the beginning level in accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.065.
Additional Program Requirements
- Complete a portfolio following program guidelines. This portfolio requires demonstration of professional growth, reflection, and proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
- Complete and submit all TESOL portfolio assignments to address Florida ESOL competencies
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2015, only examination results earned by educators within 10 years prior to the date of application for a new Florida Educator's Certificate with the Florida Department of Education may be acceptable for certification eligibility requirements (SBR 6A-4.002).
Independent Learning
A portfolio (Student Learning & Licensure by Watermark) is required that demonstrates professional growth, reflection, and proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. An internship is also required that demonstrates proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
