Early Childhood, Elementary Education & Critical Foundations

Early Childhood, Elementary Education & Critical Foundations

Early Childhood, Elementary Education & Critical Foundations

The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Critical Foundations (EEC) offers a variety of opportunities for caring and dedicated undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate students to pursue initial certification as early childhood (P-3) and elementary (K-6) teachers, In addition, the department offers graduate programs that provide advanced study in curriculum and teaching, including the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership, the M.S.T. in Elementary Education COGS in Early Childhood, Coaching, and Technical Assistance are available. The department is committed to fostering student growth as instructional leaders who have a developmental perspective, cooperative disposition, and reflective orientation and are committed to the principles of access, success, and equity for all students. All programs in the department are nationally accredited and have been approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Critical Foundations is to provide teacher candidates, practicing educators, and community professionals the highest quality learning experiences, research endeavors, and opportunities to excel in order to achieve our vision while making a positive and lasting impact on all lives with whom we intersect.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Critical Foundations is to ensure that all educators and community professionals studying in our programs have knowledge, skills, and dispositions to uphold values of inclusion, equity and justice, to implement student-centered pedagogies, to engage in high-quality research, and to connect with and invest in their students, families, and communities.