The Department of Early Childhood and Special Education offers two graduate programs: M.ED. in Early Childhood Education M.ED. in Special Education

Perhaps more so now than at any time since the 1960s, there is an increased focus on the early years of development. Additionally, new federal legislation, the "No Child Left Behind Act" requires a highly qualified teacher in every classroom. At the same time, the field of early childhood education faces a critical shortage at every level from beginning caregivers/teachers through university faculty (Early & Winton, 2001). The need for leadership in the early childhood profession is great. West Chester University’s Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is designed to develop new leaders for early childhood classrooms and child care programs.

Students in the Master’s program must have a strong foundation in child development and an understanding of the multiple influences on development. They must be able to apply this knowledge to create environments that are appropriate for all children. Students must also value and have a deeper understanding of the importance of family and community involvement in education. Additionally, students must know the goals and benefits of responsible assessment of children regardless of their cultural, linguistic, or developmental status. Finally, students must be able to combine the knowledge of child development, cultural and family background, appropriate academic content, technology and assessment in order to design, implement and evaluate learning experiences for all children. The coursework in the Master’s program provides individuals with the breadth and depth of knowledge they need in order to become effective early childhood leaders. These leaders put into practice their knowledge of and commitment to the National Association for the Education Young Children’s Code of Ethical Conduct. They act as advocates for children and their families, and for the early childhood profession. They demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

Admission Requirements for Certified Teachers seeking the M. Ed. in ECE

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. (If applicant possesses a master’s degree, the GPA requirement applies to that degree.)
• PA Instructional I Teaching Certification or its equivalent
• Evidence of coursework in special education/inclusion. Students without this evidence will be required to complete an additional course during their M. Ed. program.

• (These requirements apply to those individuals who do not hold a current teacher certification/license and do not wish to become certified in ECE. These individuals are pursuing the master’s degree only.)Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. (If applicant possesses a master’s degree, the GPA requirement applies to that degree.)
• Evidence of coursework in special education/inclusion. Students without this evidence will be required to complete an additional course during their M. Ed. program.

ECE 502 Advanced Child Development: Prebirth – Eight Years
ECE 503 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
ECE 504 Play as a Learning Medium
ECE 505 Families, Communities & Education in Multicultural America
ECE 506 Curriculum & Assessment I: Birth through Age Eight
ECE 507 Curriculum & Assessment II: Birth through Age Eight
ECE 508 Advocacy and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
ECE 509 The Early Childhood Professional as Researcher

Supporting Courses – 6 credits

EDT 500 Integrating Educational Technology for Effective Teaching & Learning
EDR 526 Emergent Literacy

Elective Courses – 6 credits

EDF 510 Educational Foundations
EDF 500 Methods and Materials of Research in Education
EDP 550 Educational Psychology
EDE 554 The Reflective Teacher: Examining Cultural Paradigms in Contemporary Classrooms
EDR 510 Foundations of Reading
EDA 511 Inclusion
ENG 582 Sociolinguistic Issues in ESL/Second Language Education
LIN 555 Psycholinguistics
LIN 580 Language and Culture
LAN 505 Introduction to Bilingual/Bicultural Education
MAT 553 Teaching Elementary School Mathematics I
KIN 552 Learning on the Move
ECO 505 Small Business Management and Finance
WOS 530 Women in Leadership: Critical Issues
WOS 531 Management of Leadership

Degree Candidacy
» Students must apply for candidacy after the completion of 15 credits. Courses required during precandidacy are ECE 502 and ECE 503. Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 during candidacy. Admission to degree candidacy does not guarantee the automatic awarding of a degree upon completion. Only students in this category are eligible to take the comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Examination
» All students enrolled in the M. Ed. program are required to pass a comprehensive examination. A minimum of 24 credits of work (maximum of 30) must be completed by the end of the semester during which the student is planning to take the exam. The student must file a written request with their advisor and the graduate coordinator to take the exam. This request should be filed no later than six weeks prior to the date of the exam.

Students who fail one or more sections of the exam will receive a failing grade and will be required to retake the section(s) failed. A semester’s interval is required between failure and re-examination. A student failing the exam should consult with an advisor for recommendations concerning further preparation. A student who fails the exam twice must obtain approval of the graduate coordinator to take it a third and final time.

Degree Requirements

• Successfully complete the curriculum (36 credits)
• Achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.0
• Perform satisfactorily on the comprehensive examination

• Submit completed application to the Graduate Office. Application forms are available in the Graduate Office (610) 436-2943.
• Arrange to have two (2) complete undergraduate transcripts and proof of a baccalaureate degree sent to the Graduate Office. The transcripts should include the cumulative grade point average of all undergraduate work.

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The Special Education Department offers a program leading to the Master of Education in Special Education. The program is open to anyone who has a Level 1 teaching certificate.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
• Evidence of Instructional I Certificate - (2 copies)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Application including goal statements
• If GPA is below the required university GPA of 3.0, student must submit satisfactory GRE or MAT scores at the 50th percentile.
• Admission Interview (only if deemed necessary)

Special Education Core - 21 credits

EDA 541 Foundations of Special Education
EDA 503 Family Systems in Special Education
EDA 505 Advanced Methods of High Incidence Disabilities
EDA 506 Legal Issues in Special Education
EDA 507 Diversity Within the Context of Disability
EDA 580 Contemporary Issues and Trends
EDA 591 Final Project (3 credits)

Area of Concentration/tracks - 6 credits
Students will select an area of concentration/track under advisement (2 courses in each track)

Behavior Management
Communication Disorders
Counselor Education
Educational Research
High Incidence Disability
Inclusion
Instructional Technology
Kinesiology
Literacy
Low Incidence Disability
Math
Music
Psychology
Secondary Education
Transition

Degree Candidacy
» The student must apply to candidacy after the completion of 12 semester hours of work at West Chester University, including EDF 510 and two courses from special education, one of which must be EDA 541. Grade point averages must be consistent with standards required in graduate studies at West Chester University (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0). Admission to degree candidacy does not guarantee the automatic awarding of a degree upon completion. Only students in this category are eligible to take the comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Examination
» All students enrolled in the degree program are required to successfully pass a comprehensive examination. A minimum of 24 semester hours of work (maximum 30) must be completed by the end of the semester during which the student is planning to take the examination. The student must file a written request with the graduate coordinator to take the examination. The request should be filed no later than six weeks prior to the date to the examination.

Students who fail one or more sections of the exam will receive a failing grade and will be required to retake only the section/s failed. A semester interval is required between failure and re-examination. A student failing the examination should consult with an advisor for recommendations concerning further preparation. A student who fails the examination twice must obtain approval of the graduate coordinator to take it a third and final time.

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