The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education with Certification is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue Instructional I certification to teach in public schools. This program leads to Pennsylvania teacher certification in Early Childhood Education, Grades PK-4. Total coursework for degree is 54 credit hours.
Admission to the program is based on a comprehensive review conducted by the Graduate Program officer in the School of Education. Requirements to be considered for admission:
· Completed application and application fee (if applicable);
· 3.0 or higher GPA in the undergraduate degree program;
· Two letters of reference addressing the candidate’s potential as a teacher;
· Official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended.
· Review of college transcripts by the School of Education officer;
An admission decision will be made after a review of college transcripts and other required documents.
Our programs offer a structured sequence of learning opportunities and experiences, meticulously planned by expert faculty to support the development of personal and professional goals leading to teacher certification. Faculty members closely monitor each student’s progress toward meeting program guidelines through coursework, personalized advising, and supervised field experiences.
Successful candidates will be recommended for certification upon the successful completion of all required coursework, practicum, internships, and graduate program requirements. Candidates will receive guidance on completing all necessary health and safety clearances for working in schools, certification or specialty area tests, and the PDE Teachers Information
Management System (TIMS) application. For specific questions, please contact the Chair of the School of Education via email at schoolofeducation@westminster.edu.
Candidates must fulfill the following requirements as part of their undergraduate degree or complete them prior to applying for Pennsylvania certification:
· 6 credits in college mathematics
· 3 credits in English composition
· 3 credits in English literature
Westminster College is approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the preparation of Early Childhood Education PK-4 at the post-baccalaureate level.
The program meets Instructional I certification requirements in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a participant in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Our programs are designed to meet Ohio school teaching licensure competencies; however, licensure is subject to changing Ohio standards, the Ohio Department of Education’s transcript analysis, and testing requirements. In some cases, additional coursework may be required to meet Ohio state standards. Ohio candidates requesting licensure in Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, or Intervention Specialist must also pass the Ohio Assessment for Educators Foundations of Reading exam. Ohio residents are encouraged to obtain certification in Pennsylvania, which can then be transferred to Ohio or other states through the interstate reciprocity process.
The candidate and adviser will examine the student’s educational background, interests, and needs, and plan the program accordingly. The aim of the program is to supplement the student’s undergraduate preparation and further broaden the student’s background. Prior coursework will be evaluated for transfer on a case by case basis.
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