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: |
 |
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
Program of Study
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:
- A state-approved teacher education program including a student
teaching or intern experience.
- Appropriate Praxis I and Praxis II assessments.
- 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.
| 
