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M.A. in Education 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)
• 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)
• Graduate Education Seminar (1.5 credits)
• Issues in Urban Education Seminar (1.5 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)

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:

• Praxis I: (PPSTs - math, writing, reading exams) must be successfully completed within 60 days (or before) of beginning C&I classes
• Praxis II: (Fundamental Knowledge: Content Knowledge and Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment) should be successfully completed prior to student teaching
• Elementary Teaching: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction (without certification)

This course of study prepares students to earn an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction as a standalone degree, however is typically available to current/active classroom teachers only.

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)
• 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)
• 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)