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Education with Dual Teaching Certification in Grades PreK– 4 and Special Education (B.S.)

Program Overview

The PreK-4 and Special Education Dual Certification Program prepares students to teach regular education in elementary classrooms or to serve as special education teachers. Students who complete the program are eligible for Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certification in PreK-4 and Special Education (PreK-8). Students who pursue Special Education certification must complete the dual certification program, majoring in Education with Prek-4 Teaching Certification. Completing the Special Education program satisfies the Disciplinary Focus requirement for the major. To be eligible for the Special Education certification program, students must meet all the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). In addition to satisfying all TEP admissions procedures and requirements, students who wish to pursue the SPED dual certification program must take Introduction to Special Education (EDSP 207), with a GPA of 3.0 (grade of B) or better. A written endorsement by the instructor of EDSP 207 is also required for admission to the Special Education certification program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Education program can:

  1. critique studies about one evidence-based teaching practice.
  2. accurately reason with cumulative knowledge of specialized pedagogy, legal processes, regulations, and court cases to special education questions and scenarios.
  3. design behavior intervention plans addressing functions of challenging behaviors through theoretical and evidence-based behavior intervention practices.
  4. write IEP goals consistent with published quality indicators.
  5. develop informed and mature convictions about Christian faith and practice.
  6. articulate awareness of identity, character, and vocational calling
  7. write Social Justice Action Plans, including reading research on one social justice issue specific to Special Education with a personal action plan addressing that issue in their own teaching

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

ART/MUGE/THEA
course meeting QuEST arts requirement

3
BIOL 106Life Sciences

3
EDSP 207Introduction to Special Education

3
EDSP 307Inclusion Practices

3
EDSP 396/HDFS 396Infants, Toddlers & Families

3
EDSP 397Instructional Strategies for Learners with Mild-Moderate Disabilities

3
EDSP 398Instructional Strategies for Learners with Severe to Profound Disabilities

3
EDSP 399Positive Behavior Support for Learners with Emotional, Behavioral & Social Disabilities

3
EDSP 409Psychological Testing

3
EDUC 201Education and American Society

3
EDUC 203/PSYC 203Educational Psychology

3
EDUC 205Cultural and Political Geography

3
EDUC 208Teaching English Language Learners in K-12 Schools

3
EDUC 209Principles and Structures of Mathematics

3
EDUC 226Childrens Literature

3
EDUC 301Literacy:Climate, Curriculum and Instruction I

3
EDUC 302Literacy: Climate, Curriculum & Instruction II

3
EDUC 303Mathematics: Climate, Curriculum and Instruction for Primary Grades

3
EDUC 304Mathematics: Climate, Curriculum and Instruction for Intermediate Grades (with Field Experience)

2-3
EDUC 330Instructor Design I

3
EDUC 342Social Studies:Climate, Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary School

3
EDUC 347Science: Climate, Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary School

3
TEP 407Student Teaching Seminar

1
EDUC 414Developmental Programming: Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood

3
EDUC 415Practices in Early Childhood Education

3
EDUC 420Professional Issues in Education

2
EDUC 430Instructional Design II

1
ENGL 160Introduction to World Literature

3
 
HIST 141United States History Survey to 1865

3
OR
HIST 142United States History Survey Since 1865

3
 
TEP 210Sophomore Field Experience

0
TEP 312Field Experience ll in PreK - Grade 2

0
TEP 314Field Experience III Grade 2-4

0
TEP 420Special Education Internship

0
TEP 432Student Teaching Education with Dual Teaching Certification in PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-8

9
PHSC 102Foundations of Physical Science

3
HDFS 210Child Development

3

EDUC 304: Two credits required for the major.

EDSP 396, EDSP 397, EDSP 398, EDSP 399, EDSP 409/HDFS 396: Courses additional to the PreK– 4 major, which lead to dual certification in PreK– 4 and Special Education

EDUC 201, EDUC 330, EDUC 420: Fulfills Writing Enriched Course Requirement for Major

TEP 210: May meet ELI requirement- work closely with advisor for confirmation

Three credits from the following:

CIS 171Problem Solving with Computers

3
CIS 180Introduction to Computer and Information Science

3
CIS 181Computer Programming I

3

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar3
Oral Communication3
Created and Called for Community (W)3
Mathematical Sciences (CIS 171, CIS 180 or CIS 181)met/major
Laboratory Science (BIOL 106 & PHSC 102)met/major
Science, Technology & the Worldwaived
Social Science (HDFS 210)waived
European History or United States History (HIST 141 or HIST 142)met/major
Literature (ENGL 160)met/major
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts (ART, MUGE or THEA course meeting QuEST)met/major
First Semester of Language3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural3
Non-Western Studies waived*
Bible3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements31
Major requirements99
Total credits 130

*The non-western requirement is only waived if students take ENGL 160.