Masters Degrees in Nursery Education, USA

Children at a young age need dedicated teachers to provide them positive experiences that foster a love of learning: their later performance in school is frequently inaugurated by early success.

The Graduate School of Education offers an innovative pre-service Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program in Childhood and Early Childhood Education. This program leads to multiple New York State teaching certifications, allowing graduates to work with children from birth through grade 6 in a variety of different roles. Two tracks are available:
-Childhood, Early Childhood and Literacy
-Childhood, Early Childhood and Special Education

Under the guidance of distinguished professors and top-tier teachers in partnership schools and early-childhood programs, students will become teachers with clearly defined commitments, as well as the ability to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.

Professional Development

During this 2-year, full-time program, students will take a range of courses and work with children in several different fieldwork and student-teaching placements. These experiences will offer opportunities to make connections between theory and practice while developing the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to help all students be successful in school.

The curriculum includes intensive coursework and field experiences, boasting strong content speciality as well as diverse student and faculty backgrounds. Faculty advisors and office staff are eager to assist students in tailoring their course of study and field placements. Students are encouraged to take advantage of a well-established network of alumni and professional connections that will help with field visits and placement. There are urban, suburban and rural schools in close proximity for student teaching opportunities.

After You Graduate

Alumni of our program teach in schools around the region and around the country. Other graduates have found roles working with children in other capacities, such as in literacy programs or as speech therapists. Employment opportunities for teachers have improved significantly over the last few years, particularly for teachers who are willing to relocate. Due to strict licensure rules, a New York State teaching license is well respected across the nation, and it is easy for graduates of the program to find employment as teachers in other states.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation (the GSE will accept additional letters of recommendation)
- Personal statement (Please see the GSE Admissions website for additional information about the personal statement)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Any program-specific materials (please see the GSE Admissions website for details)

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is an advanced program of study designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the field as teachers or administrators. The accomplished teachers track is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of in-service, certified teachers. The program administrators track is focused on developing the leadership skills of child-care administrators and primary-level principals. Students in either track will take the same eight core courses and then two additional courses based on their track. All candidates will take the capstone course to complete the program. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is an online program.

Curriculum

Core modules:

ECE 502 Advanced Child Dev: Prebirth Through Eight Years
ECE 504 Play as a Learning Medium
ECE 505 Families, Communities and Education in a Multicultural Society
ECE 511 Trends and Issues in ECE
ECE 512 Integrated Curriculum & Assessment: Birth to Age 8
ECE 513 Advocating for Young Children and Families
ECE 515 Coaching and Supervision in ECE
EDA 508 Introduction to Early Childhood/Special Education

For the additional modules taught on the Accomplished Teachers Track:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/education-social-work/early-middle-grades-education/early-childhood-education-med-accomplished-teachers-track/

For the additional modules taught on the Program Administrators Track:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/education-social-work/early-middle-grades-education/early-childhood-education-med-program-administrators-track/

NCATE Accreditation

All of our programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Our programs that lead to teacher certification have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Student Experiences

• In 2008-2009, over 10,000 documented hours of community service were provided to area agencies and organizations.
• According to survey data of 2007-2008 teacher-education graduates, over 90% have positions in education-related fields within one year of graduation.
• Our undergraduate candidates participate in community-service experiences that benefit children and their families.

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The Certification in Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade 4 (EGP) is designed for candidates who (a) have completed a B.A. or B.S. degree in an area other than education, or (b) hold a teaching certificate in another grade range or in a content area.

Program outcomes

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate the ability to integrate content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge and skills to create learning experiences that make the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the content area meaningful for all children Pre K-Grade 4.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and use of the major concepts, principles, theories and research related to development of children to construct learning opportunities that support the individual child's development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation.

• The teacher candidate, in order to meet the needs of all children Pre K-Grade 4, including those with exceptionalities and from diverse backgrounds, will a) demonstrate knowledge of different approaches to learning, b) demonstrate the ability to create instructional opportunities adapted to all learners, and c) implement instruction that builds on children's prior experiences and diversities.
(WCU Subject and Pedagogical Specialist, Diversity Advocate and Classroom Community Builder, Assessment and Instructional

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate the ability to plan and implement a variety of instructional strategies that promote a) critical and creative thinking and problem solving, b) independent and collaborative inquiry, c) active engagement in learning, and d) self and group motivation.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate knowledge and use of a) effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communications for fostering active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interactions in the classroom and b) educational technologies in instruction, assessment, and other professional practices.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate planning and management of instruction based on knowledge of the a) content and curriculum standards, b) family, and c) community, with an understanding of the essential role of the classroom teacher in relationship to curriculum development.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate knowledge and implementation of formal and informal assessment strategies including student self-assessment for monitoring, evaluating and ensuring the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner, Pre K-Grade 4.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate the ability to a) identify, evaluate, and use information effectively and within ethical and legal guidelines; b) reflect on one's own content knowledge, teaching skills and effects of each on the growth and learning of children; and c) seek opportunities to grow professionally.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate understanding of collaboration with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the larger community, to support and advocate for the learning and well being of children.

Curriculum

Please visit the website for information regarding the modules taught on this course:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/education-social-work/early-middle-grades-education/prek-4-certification/

The Professional Semester:

Student teaching is an integral part of the Professional Semester (EGP 550, EGP 551, and EGP 411) which takes place in the Spring. Candidates are eligible to student teach if they have a) achieved formal admission status to teacher education (FATE), b) completed all coursework, and c) maintained the Pennsylvania-mandated GPA.

Further Study

After a year of full time teaching, candidates may apply to the M.Ed. in Applied Studies in Teaching and Learning. Twelve graduate credits completed in the post-baccalaureate certification program can be utilized as an “Area of Focused Inquiry” in the M.Ed. Candidates complete an additional seven courses to complete the M.Ed. Program. This advantage is only available to those who have completed a post-baccalaureate certification program at West Chester University.

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