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Course of Study
M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction with Certification in Elementary Education
This course of study prepares students to seek PA State Department of Education Instructional I Certification in Elementary Teaching. The state may mandate additional certification requirements or may modify requirements at its own discretion.
30 credit hours of graduate coursework:
- Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
- Principles and Strategies of Effective Curriculum & Instruction (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Reading & Language Arts I and II (3 credits each)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Social Studies (1.5 credits)
- Technology in the Curriculum (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Mathematics and Science (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Physical Education (1.5 credit elective)
- Child Development in the Elementary School Classroom (1.5 credits)
- Strategies for Effective Classroom Management (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction for Inclusion (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction of Fine Arts in the Elementary School (1.5 credit elective)
- Reading & Interpreting Educational Research (3 credits)
- Graduate Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
- Issues in Urban Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
3 credit hours of field experience coursework
Field Experience I and II (1.5 credits each)
6 credit hours of student teaching
(required credit hours are modified for students who already hold Instructional I Certification)
As a culminating experience, students participate in the Professional Semester, which consists of 14 weeks of full-time student teaching. Students also attend state-mandated seminars that are held in the evenings. Students may enroll in their Professional Semester during either the fall or spring.
Successful completion of Praxis Series Tests:
- PPST reading, writing and math exams must be completed prior to student teaching
- Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge
- Elementary Teaching: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
- PDE-430 Performance Assessment
M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction (without certification)
for students entering in Fall 2008 or later
This course of study prepares students to earn an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction as a standalone degree.
33 credit hours of graduate coursework:
- Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
- Principles and Strategies of Effective Curriculum & Instruction (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Reading & Language Arts I and II (3 credits each)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Social Studies (1.5 credits)
- Technology in the Curriculum (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Mathematics and Science (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Physical Education (1.5 credit elective)
OR
Curriculum & Instruction of Fine Arts in the Elementary School (1.5 credit elective) - Child Development in the Elementary School Classroom (1.5 credits)
- Strategies for Effective Classroom Management (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction for Inclusion (1.5 credits)
- Reading & Interpreting Educational Research (3 credits)
- Issues in Urban Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
- Master's Thesis (3 credits)
- Field Experience I (1.5 credits)
Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Elementary Education as a Separate Degree
This course of study prepares students to seek PA State Department of Education Instructional I Certification in Elementary Teaching. The state may mandate additional certification requirements or may modify requirements at its own discretion.
27 credit hours of graduate coursework:
- Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)
- Principles and Strategies of Effective Curriculum & Instruction (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Reading & Language Arts I and II (3 credits each)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Social Studies (1.5 credits)
- Technology in the Curriculum (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Mathematics and Science (3 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary School Physical Education (1.5 credit elective)
- Child Development in the Elementary School Classroom (1.5 credits)
- Strategies for Effective Classroom Management (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction for Inclusion (1.5 credits)
- Curriculum & Instruction of Fine Arts in the Elementary School (1.5 credit elective)
- Graduate Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
- Issues in Urban Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
3 credit hours of field experience coursework
Field Experience I and II (1.5 credits each)
6 credit hours of student teaching
As a culminating experience, students participate in the Professional Semester, which consists of 14 weeks of full-time student teaching. Students also attend state-mandated seminars that are held in the evenings. Students may enroll in their Professional Semester during either the fall or spring.
Successful completion of Praxis Series Tests:
- PPST reading, writing and math exams must be completed prior to student teaching
- Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge
- Elementary Teaching: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
- PDE-430 Performance Assessment