Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood, an applicant must have:
- A baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university. (A foreign degree must be validated by World Educational Services, Center for Educational Documentation, Inc., or other appropriate agency. The decision to accept the degree is made on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education.)
- Or a baccalaureate degree in a non-related field, or in an education field outside of the early childhood years. These applicants must provide a clear rationale for relevant preparation to enter the Early Childhood program at an advanced level of study. This rationale may include a summary of work with children and families in Birth to age 8 Programs.
- Access to active programs for children and families in order to complete field experiences, including research projects.
Application
Application is made online at https://www.umf.maine.edu/grad-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/10/Application-UMF-MSEd-in-Ed-Leadership.pdf.
Required supplemental materials include:
- Essay(s), including:
- A self-assessment, including your vision and values for early childhood education.
- Supplemental Essay: (IF your baccalaureate is not in early childhood or in a closely related field) A description of your preparation to enter advanced study in early childhood, including experience in birth to age 8 programs
- Two recommendation forms, one from current administrator, program director, or program owner, or from a colleague if you are director or owner, and one of the applicant’s choosing
- Official transcript(s) of undergraduate degree(s) and any graduate work
- A nonrefundable $60 application fee.
- Proof of a clear criminal history and child abuse and neglect check
- For graduate level courses you wish to have considered for transfer of credit, you must provide course syllabi for non-UMF courses
Submission of Application
Applications and essays should be emailed as attachments to gradstudies@maine.edu, or sent to the address below. Supplemental materials should be mailed to:
Division of Graduate and Continuing Education
University of Maine at Farmington
111 South Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Admission Decisions
Only complete applications will be reviewed. Admission decisions are made by the Graduate Admissions Committee and the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education on a rolling basis until the enrollment cap is reached. Applications received after this point will be considered for the next available term.
Immunization Law
Maine state law requires all individuals born after December 31, 1956, who plan to enroll in a degree program or plan to take 12 or more credits, to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus before registering for classes. Immunization records must be on file with UMF Student Health Services before students will be allowed to register for class.
Background Check
Most courses require some direct contact with children, through observations, projects, and/or research. It is the responsibility of the student to have a clear criminal history and child abuse and neglect check. Students must provide current documentation to the Office of Graduate Studies. Any fee is the responsibility of the student. Students without a clear criminal or child abuse and neglect background will be dismissed from the program.
Documentation may be:
| Option 1 |
Option 2 |
Option 3 |
|
Two documents
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services clear check of substantiated Maine Child Protective Services Cases (this check must be initiated by the agency where you are employed)
AND
- Maine State Bureau Identification Maine Criminal History Check (this check can be obtained on your own)
|
Copy of current Maine DOE public teaching certification that indicates a Criminal History Check has been conducted |
Copy of Initial Educational Approval from Maine DOE that indicates a Criminal History Check has been conducted |
For more information:
Transfer of Credit to the Program
A student, upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admission Committee and approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education, may transfer up to a total of 9 graduate credits. Within those 9, only 3 graduate credits may be transferred in as a core course. The transfer credits must have been earned from an accredited institution, within five years prior to admission, and with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent). Students are required to provide course descriptions and syllabi of transfer credits to determine appropriateness for the program. Graduate credits applied toward an undergraduate degree cannot be used toward the master’s degree.
Student Policies
Student Advisement
Each M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood student will be assigned to the Graduate Advisor in Early Childhood. The advisor must approve all course registration prior to enrollment. The advisor and Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education will review student transcripts and registration status to monitor student progress. A student is expected to maintain regular communication with his/her academic advisor.
Degree Completion
Students may complete the program in as few as two years. This requires completion of two courses approved by the advisor each term (summer, fall, spring). If a student completes one course approved by the advisor per term, the degree will be completed in four years. Other combinations may result in more than two but less than four years to complete the degree. However, completion should be within six years from initial date of enrollment unless approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education.
Progress
A student is expected to make consistent progress towards the degree and maintain regular communication with his/her academic advisor. If a student does not enroll in a course for two terms or receive an approved leave of absence, a space in the program will not be maintained, and the student must reapply.
Leave of Absence
A student may request a leave of absence. These requests must be made in writing using the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form, and signed by the student and advisor. The Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education reviews requests.
Deferral Policy
After admission to an M.S.Ed. program, a student must begin coursework within three terms, or the student will be considered inactive. An inactive student must complete a readmission application if s/he would like to be considered for readmission.
Withdrawal from Program
A student who voluntarily withdraws from the program after beginning coursework may submit a readmission application to be considered again.
Commencement
A master’s degree candidate may participate in the commencement ceremony only if he or she has applied for graduation and been certified to participate by Merrill Center Student Services. Where 3-6 credits remain and completion will be in the summer immediately following commencement, students may participate in commencement. However, the diploma will not be released until after the receipt of the final grades at the end of August. All special circumstances must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education.
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