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We see you earning your master’s and your certification at the same time. The Early Childhood M.Ed. concentration provides the opportunity to focus on the unique qualities and challenges of the early and elementary student, with a strong emphasis on serving all young learners.  

This program is perfect for those looking to teach at the early childhood level in public and private schools, as well as in private preschool and daycare settings.

Educators are a crucial building block of every community. Fueled by a passion for guiding and inspiring growth, you need advanced skills and specialized training to rise above and turn challenges into opportunities. At Cedar Crest, you will learn the skills you need to empower you with deeper expertise and innovative techniques to help learners from all backgrounds, circumstances and abilities realize their full potential.   

Dive A Little Deeper

Master of Education: Early Childhood Certification, PreK-4 (47 credits)

Required Courses

EDU 505 Law and Policy in Education (3 cr)
EDU 550 Purpose, Pedagogy, and Practices in Education (3 cr)
ECE 501 Foundations for Early Childhood Education (3 cr)
ECE 505 Issues and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education (3 cr)
ECE 530 Teaching Methods for Early Childhood Education I: Content Areas (3 cr)
ECE 531 Teaching Methods for Early Childhood Education II: A Model for Integration (Prereq. EDU 530) (3 cr)
EDU 508 Integrating the Arts across the Curriculum (3 cr)
EDU 511 Emergent and Developmental Literacy in the Primary Grades (3 cr)
EDU 520 Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience I (1 cr)
EDU 522 Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience II (1 cr)
EDU 540 Differentiated Reading Instruction (3 cr)
EDU 559 Curriculum and Instruction for the English Language Learner (3 cr)
SPE 520 Evidence-Based Approaches (3 cr)
SPE 541 The Exceptional Child: Special Education Process: PreK-Transition (3 cr)
SPE 544 Adaptations, Modifications, and Assistive Technology (3 cr)
EDU 572 Student Teaching: Early Childhood Education (3 cr) (Capstone)
EDU 574 Professional Education Seminar (3 cr) (Capstone)

Students must also complete 3 credits in child psychology or educational psychology. Advanced standing may be awarded for equivalency from a former program for this requirement. Otherwise, students should take EDU 102 Educational Psychology as part of their program.

Please Note: All courses and fieldwork must be completed prior to student teaching and professional seminar. The student may not take any other classes during the student teaching semester. After the successful completion of the student teaching semester and passing all state-required exams, the student may apply for Pennsylvania teaching certification using the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

Cooperative Agreements

Cedar Crest College collaborates with several academic institutions to provide our students with innovative pathways that help them succeed in their chosen fields.

Cedar Crest Accounting Students in the Classroom

How To Apply

Ready to apply as a graduate student?

Cedar Crest student smiling on campus

Accreditation

Cedar Crest College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801

Faculty & Staff

Who’s teaching you is as important as the curriculum you choose.
Let’s put a face to some of the names you’ll be seeing on the course listings!

Julie Borden
B.S. Special Education; Elementary Education Concentration, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
M.Ed. Reading, Kutztown University

Lynn Fuini-Hetten
B.S. Elementary Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Elementary Education; Instructional Technology Certification, Kutztown University
Principal Certification, Penn State University
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Wilkes University

Valerie Gulych
B.S. Psychology, Penn State University
M.S. Education, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Special Education Supervisory Certification, Penn State University
Principal Certification, CLIU 21

Deborah Hartman
B.S. Special Education and Elementary Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Special Education, Kansas State University

Donna Hibshman
B.S. Certification in Mentally/Physically Handicapped, Bloomsburg University
M.Ed. Certifications in K-8 General Education; Reading Education, Lehigh University

Michelle Johnston

B.S. Computer Science, Kutztown University
M.Ed. Master of Education, DeSales University
ESL Program Specialist Certification, DeSales University
M.A. Educational Leadership and Administration, Lehigh University
Principal Certification, Lehigh University

Leah Naylor

B.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., New York University

Kelly Rosario

B.S. Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, Bloomsburg University
M.S. Educational Leadership; K-12 Principal Certification, Wilkes University

Diana Schantz

M.S. Education Technology, DeSales University
Principal Certification, Penn State University

Amanda Strack

B.A. Criminal Justice; Political Science, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
M.Ed. Master of Education, DeSales University
M.A. Educational Leadership and Administration, Lehigh University

Melinda Watkins

B.S. Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education, Kutztown University
M.S. Education, West Chester University
Middle Level Math Certification
Reading Specialist Certification, Cedar Crest College

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