B.S.ED. in Special Education
The focus of the PK-12 Special Education teacher preparation program will be to equip teacher candidates with the knowledge, competencies, and skills necessary to teach in different settings and different grade levels serving students with disabilities. Students will have the opportunity to pursue Special Education certification as a stand-alone or a double major with another certification area [early grades Pk-4 or middle grades 4-8]. Depending on your program, you will complete specific general education courses to fulfill requirements for the different distributive areas - you are strongly advised to reference your program guidance sheet and/or consult with special education faculty advisor for clarification of any special education program-specific information.
General Education and Additional Baccalaureate Requirements
Teacher Candidacy is the process that confirms your intent to pursue teacher certification in a teacher education program at West Chester University. Access to designated advanced professional education courses is restricted to teacher candidates who have received the Teacher Candidacy status. Also, to be cleared for graduation, all undergraduate students must complete the following requirements:
- Complete all coursework - refer to undergraduate catalog/program guidance sheet
- Achieve Teacher Candidacy Status
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with grades of C and above in all special education courses
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 upon completion of all program requirements.
Upon completion of the degree program and achievement of passing scores on state certification exams, the student qualifies for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate which will be valid for six years. Passing scores on state certification exams are not required for graduation, however, you will not be recommended for certification without passing scores.
Program Structure
Our program provides its students with field placements and experiences in the same block of courses where they are concurrently learning characteristics, teaching methods, application, and theory. Integral to the success of such experience is the necessity to provide students with opportunities to reflect and question what they observe and experience in the different placements. In this way, students will always have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice.
The field experiences are designed to give students first-hand experience with children with disabilities served in different kinds of placements across the continuum of disabilities and across different grade bands. The coursework taken concurrently with field experiences will allow students to integrate theory with practice and exposure to current research on effective teaching. Students will also complete a variety of supporting courses and fulfill other special education requirements.
Students must get a C or better in all Special Education Courses, maintain a 2.9 GPA, and achieve a final GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for graduation with a B.S.Ed. in Special Education.
Additional Programs of Study
Students will have the option to seek additional certification in any one of the following
areas: Early Grades Preparation (EGP) or Middle Grades Preparation (MGP). Also, students
may also pick a minor in any of the different areas of study.
Undergraduate Catalog
Students should consult the WCU Undergraduate Catalog for the year they entered - the catalog is the official guide for completing requirements
for graduation and certification.
Professional Dispositions and Requirements
The Educator Preparation Programs at West Chester University have developed professional dispositions and requirements essential for the profession. These dispositions are based on the 2011 Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching Standards. Candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate dispositions in courses (assignments, interactions with others) and out in the field with mentor teachers and students in P-12 settings. For additional details, refer to Professional Dispositions & Requirements.