Whether you are a practicing teacher, working in the community, or right out of a bachelor’s program, the master of education in Elementary Education: The Early Years may be the right fit for you.
The early elementary education graduate program prepares you to use innovative practice to meet the demands of today’s diverse, inclusive, and technology-driven schools. You'll receive individualized instruction and be prepared to serve and value diverse children and families in a variety of educational settings.
Through hands-on graduate work, Widener challenges educators and encourages learning through civic engagement, scholarship, and cultural diversity. You'll receive personalized attention through small class size, expert faculty, and individualized program counseling.
View the academic catalog for curriculum and coursework requirements.
You may earn your teaching certification in Elementary Education: The Early Years (PreK-4) in addition to the master's degree.
You will have an admissions interview with a faculty advisor.
We have rolling admissions, so you may enter the program in any semester.
Two letters of recommendations are needed for admission into the Elementary Education: The Early Years master's program.
Our graduate program in elementary education gives you the professional skills and preparation to advance your teaching career in preK-4 grades.
Students learn through a combination of class time, fieldwork, and one-on-one advising. This multi-faceted approach fosters confidence and experience and prepares students to become compassionate educators. Most of our students are working professionals and can easily fit this program into their schedules because classes are held during the week and in the evening.
Students in the program spend time working in the field to develop their skills and gain personal experience interacting with students and teachers. Field experience asserts the importance of collaboration among students, faculty, seasoned teachers, administrators, and supportive educational specialists.
Faculty are committed to excellence, scholarship, and service and will work closely with you on research projects that transform theory into practice. Small class sizes mean you’ll receive individual attention from well-qualified and respected faculty who will help you construct a foundation for career enrichment and success in elementary education.
Get to know our faculty in the Elementary Education: The Early Years program.
"My teaching focuses upon cognitive processing and application. In this regard, critical literacy complements the cognitive learning process. Critical literacy is the ability to actively read a text that promotes an understanding of social concepts and human relationships."
"I believe classroom culture should include opportunities to create community through social justice values, respect, and equality for everyone. Teachers must include students' needs and interests, their knowledge from personal experiences, interactions, opportunities to explore hands-on activities, social-emotional regulation through positive behavior supports, and self-constructed inquiry and knowledge through questioning."
"My interests include brain development, literacy development, and applications of technology in research and instruction. My greatest excitement in teaching comes from the way that working with graduate students spills over to my teaching of undergraduates and vice versa."
"Learning to be a teacher requires discipline and hard work. Learning to be great teacher requires passion and a deep dedication to the many and diverse children that we serve."
A series of science fairs hosted by Widener elementary teacher candidates shows the creativity and resiliency of the students, their teachers, and a community-focused program.
When COVID-19 forced the closure of K-12 schools in mid-March, Widener student teachers found themselves embarking on a new partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School.
Zora Wolfe, an associate professor in Widener’s Center for Education, shares ways for parents, students, and educators to smoothly transition to online learning.
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