Masters Degrees in Primary Teacher Training, USA

The Certification in Grade 4 through Grade 8 (MGP) 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 and young adolescents in Grades 4-8.

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

• The teacher candidate, in order to meet the needs of all children and young adolescents Grades 4-8, 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.

• 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 a) knowledge of young adolescent learners, b) content and curriculum standards, c) the school and local community, and d) the philosophical foundations and organisation of middle level education including the essential role of the classroom teacher and children and young adolescents in curriculum development.

• The teacher candidate will demonstrate knowledge and implementation of formal and informal assessment strategies, including student self-assessment, for evaluating and ensuring the continuous intellectual, academic, social, and physical development of children and young adolescent learners in Grades 4-8.

• 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 young adolescents, 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 and young adolescents.

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/grade4-8-certification/

The Professional Semester:

Student teaching is an integral part of the Professional Semester (MGP 550, MGP 551, and MGP 411). 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. Candidates must register for the Professional Semester (MGP 550, MGP 551, and MGP 411) through the Graduate Coordinator for Early and Middle Grades Education. All student teaching must be completed in the Spring semester only.

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 utilised 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.

Read less

If you have a bachelor’s degree and initial certification in math or science, our Adolescence Education graduate programs in science and math are your pathway to New York State professional certification in those subject areas at the high school level (grades 7 - 12).

Our technology-infused program with multiple delivery formats (online, face-to-face, and blended) offers you flexibility of time and place. You may participate on a full-time or part-time basis, enrolling in online and/or in-person courses. You may also complete the program on an accelerated schedule of one academic year plus the preceding and following summer sessions or extend your program over two to five years.

Admission

Thanks for your interest in the Adolescence Education, M.S. degree. NYIT’s 30-credit Master of Science in Adolescence Education prepares master teachers for professional certification with the knowledge and skills to integrate technology and use culturally responsive instructional strategies to teach all students. This program offers a choice between mathematics or science specialist.

The mathematics and science specialist programs are rich in mathematics and science content, respectively, aligned with the Common Core Standards, instructional technology, pedagogy, adolescent development, and data-driven instructional strategies. Courses are offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and/or online formats. Students receive personal advisement by expert faculty. The program is eligible for Troops to Teachers funding, and other financial aid is available for qualified students.

Many students in the M.S. program are initially or professionally certified teachers seeking additional skills to enhance their effectiveness as classroom teachers with skills in instructional technology, learning, and research-based teaching strategies.

Read less

Are you interested in a teaching grades 7-12? Do you have a liberal arts undergraduate degree with a minimum of 30 credits in mathematics, English, social studies, biology, chemistry, or physics? Our Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program will prepare you for an Initial Teaching Certification. 

Our program focuses on instructional planning and assessment and will give you the skills and experience to teach diverse student populations in a variety of classroom settings. Each course includes capstone assignments that connect to the 15 hours of field experience offered in collaboration with local high schools. Our technology-infused program is offered in multiple formats (online, face-to-face, and blended) on a full-time or part-time basis.

Program requirements are 30 credits; depending on the subject areas you choose to study, some prerequisites may be required.

Admission

Thanks for your interest in the Adolescent Education, M.A.T. degree.

This degree prepares candidates without a formal academic background in education for initial certification for New York State professional certification in adolescence education for grades 7-12 (English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Social Studies).

Read less

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.

Read less