Program Offering Updates
The PK-4 Teacher Preparation Certification is no longer accepting new applicants. Students interested in early childhood education are encouraged to explore the MEd in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification, which builds on the same foundation with expanded opportunities.
The Middle Grades (4-8) Teacher Certification will not accept new applicants after Fall 2026 This change reflects the Pennsylvania Department of Education's decision to discontinue the Middle Grades 4-8 certification as of January 2028. Prospective students are encouraged to consider the MEd in Elementary Education or MEd in Secondary Education with Teacher Certification as strong pathways forward.
Program Overview
West Chester University offers graduate-level teacher preparation for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education and are ready to step into the classroom. Our master's degree programs pair rigorous coursework with mentored field experiences, developing the critical skills required to serve diverse populations of children through active, constructive, and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. Each program is designed to help candidates meet the certification demands of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) while earning a graduate degree that supports long-term career growth. West Chester University was founded as a teacher's college, and educating our nation's educators remains at the core of the University's mission. Earn your master's degree and teaching certification from the regional leader in education.
Tracks
MED Elementary Education with Teacher Certification
Built specifically for college graduates whose degrees fall outside of education, the Master of Education in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification offers a clear, direct route into Pennsylvania classrooms.
This 45-credit hybrid program blends online coursework with hands-on, in-person field placements and a full semester of student teaching, so you graduate with real classroom experience and the credentials to back it up. With a focus on grades PK-4, you'll be prepared to teach and nurture our youngest learners, and additional grade certifications are available through Praxis testing options.
Maybe teaching was always in the back of your mind, but life led you somewhere else. Maybe you want to be part of the solution to the teacher shortage. Or maybe you're ready for a career that leaves a lasting mark on the next generation. Whatever brought you here, West Chester University has a path forward.
MEd Secondary Education with Teacher Certification
With three flexible options to choose from, the MEd in Secondary Education empowers teachers to step into leadership roles and spark genuine curiosity in their students.
Throughout the curriculum, you'll examine the foundations of education and public schooling, including how socioeconomic disparity and racial and cultural bias have shaped schools, curriculum, and student achievement over time. You'll also explore adolescent development and the wider societal forces that influence how young people grow and learn.
A shared thread runs through every course: a commitment to social justice, culturally relevant pedagogy, and meaningful dialogue about how communities and the social context of education shape both public schools and the students they serve.
Program Highlights
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Flexible, once-a-week evening classes designed for working professionals
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Condensed course formats during the summers
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Small classes
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Affordable tuition
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Comprehensive academic study enriched by and integrated with practical field experience in schools
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Professional growth courses for students looking for professional enrichment but not seeking certification
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Credits transferable to the M.Ed. program after one year in the classroom
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NCATE accredited
What can I do with this degree?
Certified Teachers
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NEWSWORTHY
According to a recent survey of WCU teacher preparation graduates, 95.6% rated their program as effective for preparing them for the current position, 93.5% think their program gave them in-depth content knowledge and 91.6% are employed in the education field.