EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (PreK – 4)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

PURPOSE

1. Prepare competent and qualified college graduates to receive PA state teaching certification in order to teach the subjects required in grades PreK-4 in public schools, pending passing of the four state required competency tests.

2. Offer a curriculum that integrates the PreK-4 subject content, pedagogy, and professional skills with the development of a Christian worldview that includes knowledge of the Bible, Christian thought, and personal spiritual development.

3. Prepare individuals to continue professional development and pursue graduate education.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Students will communicate effectively, orally and in writing, for a diverse audience within educational settings.

2. Students will access, evaluate, and utilize current educational research and literature based on knowledge of best practices and academic standards.

3. Students will establish and maintain professional demeanor and relationships with students, colleagues, parents, and supervisors in educational settings.

4. Students will articulate a philosophy of education that is consistent with a Christian worldview and integrate Christian principles into professional practice.

5. Students will design, implement, and reflect upon instruction that is aligned with best practices and academic standards and that meets the educational needs of diverse learners.

 

STUDENT TEACHING

Each student in a teacher preparation program is required to participate in a student teaching experience . This supervised student teaching will be completed during the student’s final semester . Students participating in student teaching must meet the following criteria:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (2.5 private certification)

  • Completion of all academic work

  • Approvals from the Vice President of Student Life and the Education faculty

  • Passing of PDE basic skills exams (exemptions may apply)

  • Passing of ENG 123 College Writing and Research

  • Passing a college level literature course

  • Passing of two college-level mathematics courses

  • There is an additional fee as described under Other Charges (see page 21) 

 

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHING CERTIFICATION

The Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) certification program is designed to make the teacher candidate eligible to receive the Pennsylvania State Instructional I teaching certificate. Candidates for this certificate apply directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by creating a personal account in TIMS and completing an online application. The UVF certification officer will then verify the candidate’s character, competencies, and educational qualifications and will submit a recommendation to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certificate issuance.

In order to be eligible for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s teaching certificate, one additional three-module test of the PECT test series for beginning teachers as published by the Pearson Evaluation Systems must be successfully passed. It is required that the first three basic skills tests be passed by the student’s fourth semester . Information concerning these tests can be obtained from the teacher education office.

 

PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHING CERTIFICATION

This Education program is designed to qualify students for private school teaching certification in Pennsylvania. Candidates for Pennsylvania private school certification must apply directly through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. Final eligibility for teacher certification will be determined by the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.

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