Masters Degrees in Nursery Teacher Training, USA

Our master’s programs in childhood education set the stage for success in the classroom--your own success and that of your student. Our comprehensive coursework, infused with the latest technologies and combined with practical experience in school settings, will set you apart. Complete your degree online, on campus, or with a blend of both.

Nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International, we offer the following degree options:

• Initial Certification: If you have a bachelor’s degree and are seeking initial teacher certification at the elementary level (grades 1-6), our 45-credit program allows you to participate in supervised school experiences and includes a professional student teaching sequence.
• Professional Certification: If you are certified and would like to qualify for professional certification in a first subject area and initial certification in childhood education, we have a 36-credit program.
• Bilingual Extension Option: If you would also like to be able to teach bilingual English learners and culturally and linguistically diverse students, we offer a 9-credit bilingual extension for both the initial and professional certification programs.

Our programs will prepare you to integrate instructional technology in the classroom, plan and select strategies and materials that foster multicultural understanding, and engage children in successful constructivist learning practices. Program content and experiences are aligned with state certification requirements; successful completion of all parts of the program leads to endorsements for certification.

In addition to our degree programs, we offer a 12-credit Certificate in Childhood Education Extension that allows you to extend your certification in elementary or childhood education to the middle school level(grades 7-9) in English, Mathematics, or Science in two part-time semesters.

Admission

Thanks for your interest in the Childhood Education, M.S. degree. There are two options in the M.S. degree. The admission requirements are the same for both options.

• Initial certification: You have little to no teaching experience or preparation and are seeking certification at the elementary level (grades 1-6).
• Professional certification: You have initial certification and wish to qualify for professional certification in your first area and initial certification in childhood education.

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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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Teach young learners as they embark on a journey of lifelong learning. Our master’s degree program is grounded in an understanding of early childhood development and will help you create effective teaching practices that fully integrate instructional technology. Upon completion, you’ll receive New York State teacher certification and be eligible for either initial or professional certification in early childhood education from birth to grade 2.

Degree options include:

• Initial Certification (45 credits): If you have a bachelor’s degree with the appropriate coursework and passing score on the Academic Literacy Skills Test of the New York State Teacher Certification Examination.
• Professional Certification (36 credits): If you have a bachelor’s degree and hold initial certification in another area of teaching.
• Internship Certification (After completing your first 18 credits): This will permit you to begin teaching while completing your degree.
• Bilingual extension option: If you are already certified to teach in New York State and wish to teach English Language Learners. (Upon successful completion of the Bilingual Education Assessment and course requirements for this extension, you’ll receive certification in this field.)

Coursework—available online or through blended study—includes:

• Curriculum design.
• Diagnosis and remediation of literacy disorders.
• Human growth and development.
• Research methods and assessment.
• Technology of education.

Admission

Thanks for your interest in the Early Childhood Education-Initial Certification, M.S. degree. There are two options in the M.S. degree.

• Initial certification (39 credits): You have little or no teaching experience and are seeking certification at the early childhood level.
• Professional certification (30 credits): You have initial certification and wish to qualify for professional certification in your first area and initial certification in early childhood education.

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