Early and Elementary Education MEd

Temple University’s Master of Education in Early and Elementary Education will help you develop the requisite expertise to earn the initial teacher certification needed to teach classes ranging from pre-kindergarten through grade 4. This master’s degree program provides you with the theoretical knowledge and instructional techniques to adapt classroom instruction to the developmental changes of childhood and early adolescence.

Beyond the foundational courses, you will develop—or sharpen—instructional strategies for teaching literacy, math, science and social studies in a manner that complements the cognitive and emotional capacities of young children. You will also learn how to effectively teach children who are English language learners, have disabilities or face other educational challenges.

Your master’s program culminates in a semester-long student teaching assignment, during which you’ll hone your classroom instruction and management skills. A capstone course gives you the opportunity to reflect on your student teaching experience and the degree program in general.

Teacher Certification

This program prepares you to successfully complete state certification exams, allowing you to apply for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate. Learn more about certification.

Fieldwork 

In addition to state certification exams and student teaching, you must complete field experiences as part of your coursework. Field placements are designed to give you teaching experience working with children in educational and non-educational settings. The majority of field experiences require students to spend seven full days over the course of a semester in the classroom. During the student teaching semester, students are required to spend every day in the classroom for 14 weeks.

Classes & Curriculum

The Early and Elementary Education degree program consists of 37 credits, including two foundational courses:

  • Child and Adolescent Development and
  • Problems in Educational Psychology, a seminar series.

 You will also complete 15 credits on early and elementary instruction and nine credits in special education and English language learner instruction. Your final seven credits constitute the culminating work for this degree.

Most courses are held on Temple’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, though some online and hybrid options are available. Courses are held in the evening starting at 5:30 p.m. You can attend full- or part-time, and you have up to four years to complete the program.

Learn more about required and elective courses for the Early and Elementary Education MEd.

Education student student teaching in a classroom

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Review the full list of the College of Education and Human Development’s graduate degree and graduate certificate programs.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Education offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,105.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,518.00 per credit

View the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Find peer support and leadership opportunities while tackling the challenges of your program. You'll also find opportunities to give back to the community, either locally or globally. Students can join the 

  • Temple University Graduate Students Association, a student employee union that maintains positive working lives and conditions for graduate student assistants.
  • Temple Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, which hosts events to share effective classroom techniques and other resources for developing teachers.

Search for additional College of Education and Human Development and education-related student organizations.

Questions

For more information about this program, the College of Education and Human Development, how to apply for admission and your application status, contact Enrollment Management.

Enrollment Management
Ritter Annex 150
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-204-8011
Email: educate@temple.edu

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