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Education

Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Professional Licensure (PreK–2) or Non-Licensure, On-Campus Program

Encourage and build on the natural curiosity of young children.

This program is based on the philosophy of the preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in which children are fully capable and want to learn, connect with others, and flourish in their environment. Designed for PreK-2 educators, it allows you to further develop your skills in early childhood environments, materials, documentation, family engagement, and citizenship. And you'll deepen your understanding of Reggio-inspired teaching strategies that promote a hands-on/minds-on approach, where children learn by exploring materials and media.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

At Lesley, we weave the importance of equity and social justice throughout our teacher preparation programs. You'll work with faculty to co-construct new knowledge and practices, as well as explore anti-bias perspectives in teaching. And through self-reflection and examination of multiple viewpoints, you'll become a more effective and compassionate educator.

Through internships, you'll also have the opportunity to learn from master teachers in Reggio-inspired classrooms in the Boston area. Emerge from the program with an understanding of how to grow Reggio-inspired communities while employing culturally responsive ways of teaching.

Come study at the place that educates more teachers than any other place in New England. You'll benefit from the reputation of a school with exceptional programs in Massachusetts, where school principals prefer to hire Lesley graduates and believe they're the most prepared for the classroom. (Source: Radius Global Market Research, 2017)

If you have an Early Childhood Initial license, the program can lead to a Professional Massachusetts license in Early Childhood. It's also available as a non-licensure program.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 Credits
Gain skills and expertise
Our early childhood program prepares you to:
$86,755
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts (2021-2022), according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Important Licensure Information

All Lesley University educator licensure programs comply with current Massachusetts educational requirements, as specified. In addition, Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which makes it possible for an educator to have their Massachusetts license/s recognized across the United States. Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to teach, and the licensure structures that exist within that state, there are diverse pathways to licensure that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, Lesley University strongly encourages prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts review the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing page for more information.

Assistant Professor Dana Bentley
Dana Bentley
Dana teaches in the early childhood programs at Lesley University. She has been an early childhood teacher for over 15 years, working in diverse, urban settings in Boston and in New York City. Dana has a background in rethinking creativity and artistic practice with young children. She uses this perspective in the constantly evolving curricula in her emergent, child-centered classroom. In her teaching and writing, Dana focuses on social justice work with young children, studying children’s emerging political literacies, as well as her own pedagogy as an anti-bias educator.
The skills employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, charter schools, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program.
Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

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Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.