Dr. Stephanie. Davidson-Herndon, Interim Chair and Associate Professor
P.O. Box 18380
Telephone: (601) 979-2341
Fax: (601) 979-2178
e-mail: stephanie.r.davidson@jsums.edu 

Faculty

Dr. K. Bennett, Assistant Professor
Dr. K. Bryant, Associate Professor 
Dr. S. Davidson-Herndon, Associate Professor
Dr. T. Dixon, Assistant Professor 
Dr. T. Latiker, Associate Professor
Dr. L. Opara-Nadi, Assistant Professor 
Dr.  J.  Yin, Professor

The Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science in Education Degree in Early Childhood Education, Reading and Elementary Education; the Specialist in Education Degree in Elementary Education; and the Doctor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Departmental Objectives

The department and its programs exist to prepare professional instructional personnel at levels appropriate to the degrees offered, and to meet certification requirements at AA, AAA, and AAAA levels for the State of Mississippi in the various fields. The department's intention is to prepare candidates who:

1. Demonstrate sensitivity to the emerging knowledge bases and understand how they impact education and the need for change;
2. Adjust methods, curriculum and service approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners;
3. Demonstrate a repertoire of educational related strategies and skills which enable them to share knowledge effectively;
4. Demonstrate critical thinking competence and effective communication skills in various forms and media;
5. Ensure that established standards for successful learner outcomes are met;
6. Possess the ability to work successfully with learners, teachers, college faculty, and others;
7. Demonstrate knowledge of and skill in applying basic principles undergirding the selection and utilization of methods, techniques and devices which facilitate effective program development using various educational models;
8. Can locate, interpret and apply research pertinent to educational problems;
9. Exhibit competency in doing independent, original research;
10. Are able to identify, interpret and promote the functions of education in a democracy;
11. Are skilled in the techniques of instruction and ensure that pupils will derive the greatest benefits from classroom experiences;
12. Serve as facilitators for the total process of growth and learning;
13. Develop competencies and professional leadership skills through the advancement of knowledge and research that will enable them to assume major leadership roles in diverse communities.

Program Objectives

• To develop candidates who understand the research bases for implementing evidence-based practices in reading instruction
• To prepare candidates to utilize diagnostic-prescriptive strategies of intervention for struggling readers and writers
• To instruct candidates to disseminate research and information concerning reading to guide their research endeavors
• To guide candidates as they integrate Internet technologies into classroom lessons to insure students will be prepared for the technology and reading futures they deserve
• To instruct candidates in how to use reading to celebrate the diverse cultures that increasingly defines our population
• To equip candidates with leadership in reading skills

Admission Requirements

Each candidate must also complete an admission packet from the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. The admission packet includes, but is not limited to the following requirements:

• Proof of a Baccalaureate degree of Education from an accredited university or college with a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 for conditional admission.
• Proof from ETS showing passing scores on both parts of PRAXIS II (Curriculum and Instruction and also the PLT) Any candidate scoring below 157 on the PRAXIS II Reading Specialist (5301) is required to complete EDCI 565 the following semester. The PRAXIS Reading Specialist Exam must be passed before the degree may be conferred.
• Proof that the candidate holds a current class ‘A’ Educator’s License or is seeking renewal of the license through attaining college credit hours as deemed necessary by the Mississippi State Department of Education (Copy of class ‘A’ Educator’s License)
• Complete an acceptable writing sample and interview process with departmental faculty

Degree Requirements

The Master of Literacy Education course work includes the following requirements:

• Nine (9) semester hours of core coursework in statistics and curriculum methods
• Twenty-four (24) semester hours of specialized content
• Six (6) hours of clinical and practical experiences
• Coursework must be attempted in the required sequence of prerequisites
• Throughout the course of study, eight (8) major assessments must be successfully completed according to the International Reading Association’s established criteria.

Core Requirements