Elementary Education (M.Ed.)

The Elementary Education program provides an M.Ed. degree and leads to licensure for those who plan to teach in elementary schools.

• UNH students can begin preparation for teaching at the undergraduate level. In their second semester junior year or first semester senior year, qualified students can apply to the Accelerated Master’s Program.
• If accepted, Accelerated Master’s students can potentially complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years. This includes a full year of internship with additional course work in education.
• Students who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree at UNH or another institution may also apply to the elementary education teacher preparation program at the graduate level. Without prior course work in education, this program will normally require two years to achieve licensure and a degree.

Admission Criteria

In determining admission of students to teacher education graduate programs, several criteria are used:

1. Undergraduate record and GPA
2. Recommendations
3. Basic Academic Skills Assessment
4. Clearance on a Criminal History Records Check
5. Additional required application materials can be found at the Graduate School website under Programs.

Degree Requirements

The M.Ed. degree requires a minimum of 32 graduate credits. Some students will require more than 32 credits, depending on the coursework they have completed prior to entering the program.

Any Education course taken for a teacher licensure requirement must be completed with a grade of B- or better.  This applies to any courses from other departments that have been designated as equivalent to an Education course. 

Core Requirements (may be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level).

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At the undergraduate level, students who take both HDFS 525 Human Development and HDFS 623 Infant and Child Development meet the requirement for EDUC 701.

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Students need to have completed at least 12 graduate-level credits by the start of their internship year.

Students wishing to seek an exception to this policy need to 1) meet with their advisor to outline a plan of study that is feasible to balance coursework and the full-time teaching internship, and 2) meet with the Director of Educator Preparation for approval.

A Master's Inquiry Project is required during the internship year.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Elementary Education (M.Ed.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s): 

Additional Information

In order to be eligible for an internship the following Fall, students must be admitted by November 1 to the Graduate School.

Program Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate depth of knowledge in their subjects.
• recognize how knowledge in their subjects is created, organized, and linked to other disciplines.
• identify the organizing themes and central concepts necessary for understanding a subject.
• identify associated content necessary for students to understand these themes and concepts.

• understand how students develop and learn.
• treat students equitably and work diligently to help each student reach his or her potential.
• create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning.
• recognize diversity among their students and adjust their practice accordingly.
• create and maintain an atmosphere fostering mutual respect and caring.
• cultivate within their own students a recognition and valuing of diversity.

• demonstrate specialized knowledge of how to teach subject matter to their students.
• use multiple approaches to facilitate student learning.
• create lessons that are engaging and motivating for students.
• create learning experiences that are appropriately challenging for all students.
• involve students in thoughtful inquiry and reflection.
• ensure that students understand the purpose of activities within and across lessons and units.

• use multiple strategies to assess students.
• regularly assess student progress using appropriate measures.
• demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions about students and their learning based on classroom, district, and state assessments.

• make well-reasoned choices and decisions within the complex and demanding conditions of teaching.
• analyze the effects of their actions and make appropriate changes.
• take into account the moral and philosophical implications of educational decisions.
• improve their practice by reflecting on their own experience, observing others, seeking advice, and drawing upon educational research and scholarship.

• assess the relative merits of educational reform efforts and determine their appropriateness to the classroom, school, and broader societal contexts in which teaching and learning occur.
• develop and articulate their own conceptual and philosophical perspective on teaching and learning based on professional experience and current theories and research in education.
• develop an understanding of how leadership is informed by varied perspectives on the structure of public education, the nature of educational change, and the teacher's role in the change process.
• are willing to take risks as advocates for the benefit of students, teachers, and the profession.

• work with colleagues to enhance their own teaching, learning, and professional development.
• work collaboratively with students, peers, and community members to create and contribute to effective learning environments.
• participate in professional organizations.
• continue to pursue avenues of inquiry into the teaching and learning process through study, research, and dialogue.

Elementary Education (M.Ed.)

Location/Delivery: Durham Campus [In-Person Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Teacher Licensure

Elementary Education

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

¹

State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.