FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENTERING WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY FALL 2009 OR LATER

Undergraduate Programs in the Department include:

Early Grades Preparation Program: An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience to teach children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Four. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education and Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 Instructional I Certification.

Degree Guidance Sheet for the Early Grades Preparation Program

Middle Grades Preparation Program: An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience to teach children and young adolescents in Grade Four through Grade Eight. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education and Grade 4 through 8 Instructional I Certification; candidates select concentrations, to teach Grades 7-8 in one or more areas: Reading/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math. (pending approval)

Dual Majors in Early Grades/Special Education: An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience to teach children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Four and to teach children in Special Education in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education with Instructional I Certification in:

• Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Four, and
• Special Education Pre-Kindergarten through Grade-8. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Special Education. (pending approval)

Dual Majors in Middle Grades/Special Education: An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience to teach children and young adolescents, in Grade Four through Grade Eight and to teach children in Special Education in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education with Instructional I Certification in:

• Grade 4 through 8; candidates select concentrations, to teach Grades 7-8 in one or more areas: Reading/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math, and
• Special Education Pre-Kindergarten through Grade-8. Offered in conjunction with the Department of Special Education. (pending approval)

Questions about the undergraduate programs should be directed to the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education Assistant Chair, Dr. Martha Drobnak (mdrobnak@wcupa.edu).

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENTERING WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY PRIOR TO FALL 2009

» An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience to prepare graduates to teach children in kindergarten through grade six plus middle school. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education and K-6 Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification.

An undergraduate major that incorporates course work and extensive field experience designed to provide both the liberal education and special preparation required for careers in public and private school teaching and directorship, as well as supervisory work in early childhood programs other than those under the auspices of the public schools. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate valid for six years of teaching in preschool, kindergarten, and grades one through three.

» An undergraduate "dual major"(elementary/early childhood education) that prepares graduates to work in preschool settings as well as kindergarten through grade six. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education and both the N-3 and K-6 Pennsylvania Instructional I certifications.

» An undergraduate "dual major"(elementary/special education), offered in conjunction with the Department of Special Education, that prepares graduates to support the educational, emotional, and physical needs of students with disabilities as well as kindergarten through grade six. Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the B.S. in Education and both the Birth-21 and K-6 Pennsylvania Instructional I certifications.

Questions about the undergraduate programs should be directed to the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education Assistant Chair, Dr. Martha Drobnak (mdrobnak@wcupa.edu).

Graduate Programs in the Department include:
» A master's degree program that is designed for students who have already obtained an Instructional I certificate or its equivalent and have completed one year of satisfactory teaching experience. (The certificate does not necessarily have to be in elementary education.) Successful completion of the program qualifies the graduate for the Masters in Education (M.Ed.).

» A graduate option of Professional Growth courses.

» A post-baccalaureate K-6 PA Instructional Certification Program designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree or higher who want to obtain PA Instructional I Certification. The number of additional courses will vary for each individual, depending on how many program requirements are met by courses taken as part of the bachelor's (or higher) degree.

Questions about the graduate programs, including initial certification at the post-baccalarreate level, should be directed to the Elementary Education Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Connie Dilucchio (cdilucchio@wcupa.edu).

Best of luck with your academic and career pursuits.

Sincerely,

Heather Leaman , Ph.D.
Chairperson