Special Education

 

Special Education Office
304 Recitation Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Call: 610-436-2579
FAX: 610-436-3102
smcknett@wcupa.edu


Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education

The Post-Baccalaureate certification in Special Education is open to any student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an expressed interest in working with children with disabilities. All applicants must meet the following requirements:

 

Program of Study (for students admitted Spring 2011 or LATER)

Begins Summer 2011

Degree Guidance

POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Admission Requirements:

 

 For Students already possessing Teacher Certification in an Approved Area of Study:

    • Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
    • *Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale calculated on the most recent 48 Credits of college/university coursework and 3.0 total undergraduate cumulative GPA.  (If applicant possesses a master’s degree, the GPA requirement applies to that degree.) 
    • Evidence of a teacher certification in an approved area of study (Early Grades Preparation, Middle Grades Preparation, 7-12 content area, Reading Specialist, Elementary Education (prior to 2013), Early Childhood Education (prior to 2013), or Secondary Certifications (prior to 2013)).
    • Evidence of licensure reciprocity if certification is from out-of-state
    • Evidence of having completed college-level studies in English Composition (3 credits), Literature (3 credits), and Mathematics (6 credits) *
      • (*Students may be admitted provisionally without these courses; however, they must take them within the first two semesters of graduate work.) 

For Students who wish to pursue Certification in special education at the post baccalaureate level at WCU:

Students who do not already possess a teaching certification in any approved area of study may not be admitted to the post baccalaureate certification in special education.  However, with evidence of admission into a teacher certification in another approved area of study (Early Grades Preparation, Middle Grades Preparation, 7-12 content area, or Reading Specialist), students may concurrently take courses towards their special education certification listed below. Upon completion of their initial certification in the other approved area of study, students would need to reapply to WCU as a post baccalaureate certification student in special education and complete any remaining coursework needed to complete the special education certification. This can only be done with advisement from the department.

 **Note-Evidence of Chapter 49.13 competencies must be met.  If not present, or if coursework is deemed to not meet 49.13 competencies, additional coursework (to be determined with an advisor), may be necessary.

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION CORE (for students admitted Spring 2011 or later)

 

 

EDA514  - PreK-8 Aspects of Transition or EDA 515: Middle/Secondary Career Development and Transition

 

EDA516 – Curriculum and Instruction for Individual Learning Differences I

 

EDA523  - Curriculum and Instruction for Individual Learning Differences II

 

EDA529 – Communication Development and Assistive Technologies for Students with Disabilities

 

EDA542 - Foundations of Special Education

 

EDA544 - Classroom Management

 

EDA574 - Assessment in Special Education

 

EDA 582 – Special Education Field and Seminar

 

 

Program of Study (for students admitted PRIOR to Spring 2011)

Admission Requirements

  • Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale calculated on the most recent 48 credits of college/university coursework and 2.5 total undergraduate cumulative GPA. (If applicant possesses a master's degree, the GPA requirement applies to that degree.)
  • Admission to West Chester University program leading to a Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification.
  • Evidence of having taken 2 courses each, in Mathematics and English
  • (*Students may be admitted provisionally without these courses; however, they must take them within the first two semesters of graduate work.)

In addition to the above requirements, students must be admitted to the teacher education program by meeting the following requirements.

Formal Admission of Certification Program

  • Students must meet the above program entry requirements.
  • Students must file a form in the certification office
  • Receive a passing score on Praxis skills examinations
  • Receive departmental approval
Professional Education courses (0-15 credits)
EDF510
Educational Foundations
EDP550
Advanced Educational Psychology
EDT500
Integrated Educational Technology
EDF500
Methods and Materials of Research in Education
or

EDF501
Methods and Materials of Research in Elementary
CEE521
Human Development Through the Life Span for Counselors
EDA416 and EDA 417
Student Teaching (if not previously certified)

Special Education Core (30 credits)
EDA503
Family Systems in Special Education
EDA504
Systematic Instruction of Life Skills
EDA505
Advanced Methods for High incidence Disabilities
EDA506
Legal Issues in Special Education
EDA507
Diversity within the Context of Disability
EDA541
Foundations of Special Education
EDA544
Classroom Management
EDA573
Assessment in Special Education
EDA580
Contemporary Issues and Trends
EDA581
Practicum: Special Education
Supporting Courses (9 credits)
EDR505
Orthographic Knowledge, Language, and Literacy Development
EDR507
Comprehension and Vocabulary: Development and Instruction
MTE551
Teaching Math for Elementary

Certification

Public school teaching in Pennsylvania requires certification. When you demonstrate that you have completed all requirements for certification, the Dean recommends you to the PA Department of Education for Certification. This section contains information on steps to take in order to be recommended for certification.

In order to be recommended to PA Department of Education you must complete the following

  1. A state-approved teacher education program including a student teaching or intern experience.
  2. Appropriate Praxis I and Praxis II assessments.
  3. Application materials documenting that all certificate requirements have been met.

Procedures for Admission to Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education

  • Submit a completed application to the Graduate Office. Application forms are available in the Graduate Office, (610) 436-2943
  • Arrange to have two (2) complete undergraduate transcripts and proof of a baccalaureate degree sent to the Graduate Office. The transcripts should include the cumulative grade point average of all undergraduate work.

For further program information contact

Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Vicki McGinley vmcginley@wcupa.edu

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