Elementary Education M.Ed.

Due to changes in certification requirements in Pennsylv a nia, as required by legislation, we are updating the Master in Elementary Education program. During this time applic a tions for our master's program will be accepted. Please contact the graduate coordinator for the most current i n formation.

Purpose of Degree

The focus of the M.Ed. in Elementary Education is on becoming a master teacher in the elementary classroom and is based on the Advanced Teacher Education Conceptual Framework. The program is designed to guide in-service educators to become leaders who apply research and best practice theory to make reflective and synergistic decisions that consistently support and extend the learning of all students. Through the chosen program’s core courses and individualized experiences, candidates are able to create a vision of themselves as reflective, synergistic decision makers.

National accreditation of the program:

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Program of Study

Prerequisites required:

Master’s degree candidates must hold teacher certification, including an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in their bachelors' program.

Plan of Study

The Master of Elementary Education program (ELED) requires 33 credit hours, including core courses (15 credits) and courses in an area of concentration (18 credits).

The concentration area includes a focus of 12 elementary education credits in addition to six credits of education electives that are chosen to meet the student’s professional needs and personal interests. Students in collaboration with the graduate coordinator may design a concentration area that meets their professional needs and personal interests. The 18 credits of the concentration are selected by the graduate student (in collaboration with the ELED Graduate Coordinator) from one of seven focus areas available for in-depth study.

The M.Ed. program supports the Advanced Teacher Education Conceptual Framework, developed by the ESU Teacher Education faculty. Core courses present research-based concepts related to teaching and learning as well as introduce various tools of inquiry. Concentration courses extend the master teacher’s ability to articulate, apply, and adapt theoretical constructs to the classroom setting.

Final Graduation Requirement

Students select one of the following exit criteria to complete the M.Ed. program: Professional Portfolio, Curriculum Project, or Action Research.

The planning and developing of the Comprehensive Evaluation is an integral part of ELED 575, Graduate Seminar, a course taken between 24-27 credits.

At the end of graduate course work, the master teacher candidate will be able to demonstrate reflective, collaborative, and creative teaching practice and professional leadership qualities. A student may have a maximum of six credits of workshop courses included in a plan of study.

Core Courses - 15 credits required

ELED 502Psychology of the Elementary School Child

3 credits

ELED 570Introduction to Research

3 credits

ELED 575Graduate Seminar

3 credits

ELED 592Elementary School Curriculum

3 credits

MCOM 510Computers In Education

3 credits

Concentration Courses - 18 credits required

(12 in ELED Focus and 6 in Education Electives)

The student shall, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, complete 12 ELED graduate credits in one of the following focus areas:

  • Elementary School Teaching
  • Early Childhood
  • Middle School Teaching
  • Language Literacy and the Arts
  • Mathematics, Science, and Technology
  • Differentiated Teaching and Learning
  • The ESL Endorsement
  • A student-designed concentration.

In addition, the student shall complete six graduate credits of electives.

Elementary School Teaching

Elementary Education Focus - 12 credits
ELED 512Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 520Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts

3 credits

ELED 521Children’s Literature for Advanced Students

3 credits

ELED 525Creative Drama

3 credits

ELED 530Science in the Elementary School

3 credits

ELED 540Mathematics in the Elementary School

3 credits

ELED 544International Collaborative Learning Project

1 - 3 credits

ELED 553Teaching and Motivation

3 credits

ELED 585Planning For Change

3 credits

ELED 550Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies

3 credits

Education Elective Courses - 6 credits
PSED 510Teacher- School and Community

3 credits

PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

MCOM 520Selctn Use Instr Media

3 credits

REED 523Analys Instr Tech Read

3 credits

SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

SPED 570Collaboration in Educ Process

3 credits

Early Childhood – Birth through Age 8

Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 523Diversity in Children’s Literature

3 credits

ELED 557Reducing Stress in the Classroom

3 credits

ELED 569Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

1 credits

REED 521Rding&Lang Dev for Diverse Lrn

3 credits

REED 550Found Read Recovery I

3 credits

ELED 589Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs

3 credits

Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
SPED 567Families in Education Process

3 credits

SPED 568Early Intervention

3 credits

PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

ELED 574Problems and Issues in Early Childhood Education

3 credits

Middle School Teaching

Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
ELED 512Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 525Creative Drama

3 credits

ELED 534Seminar in Elementary School Science

3 credits

ELED 542Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics

3 credits

ELED 549Reducing Classroom Conflict

3 credits

ELED 550Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies

3 credits

Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
PSED 510Teacher- School and Community

3 credits

PSED 565Curr Devel Mddle Schl

3 credits

PSED 593Tch Tech Middle School

3 credits

SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

SPED 570Collaboration in Educ Process

3 credits

REED 527Reading Content Areas

3 credits

REED 530Tch Read Yng Adlt Lit

3 credits

Language, Literature, and the Arts

Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
ELED 512Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 520Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts

3 credits

ELED 521Children’s Literature for Advanced Students

3 credits

ELED 523Diversity in Children’s Literature

3 credits

ELED 525Creative Drama

3 credits

ELED 545Bookarts

3 credits

Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

SPED 540Language Arts Hndcpd

3 credits

SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 517Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student

3 credits

ELED 530Science in the Elementary School

3 credits

ELED 531Life Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers

3 credits

ELED 532Physical Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers

3 credits

ELED 534Seminar in Elementary School Science

3 credits

ELED 540Mathematics in the Elementary School

3 credits

ELED 542Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics

3 credits

<strong>Education Elective Courses</strong> (<strong>6 credits</strong> <strong>)</strong>
SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

PSED 565Curr Devel Mddle Schl

3 credits

PSED 593Tch Tech Middle School

3 credits

Differentiated Teaching and Learning

Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
ELED 515Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education

3 credits

ELED 523Diversity in Children’s Literature

3 credits

ELED 533Designing and Implementing Programs for Professional Development

3 credits

ELED 535Classroom Diversity

3 credits

ELED 555The Clinical Supervision of Elementary Student Teachers

3 credits

ELED 560Adaptive Education for Exceptional Students

3 credits

Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

SPED 570Collaboration in Educ Process

3 credits

PSED 510Teacher- School and Community

3 credits

PSED 516Learner & Learnng Proc

3 credits

English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist Certificate Program

Elementary Education ( 16 credits)
ELED 506Second Language Acquisition and Development

3 credits

ELED 507Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

3 credits

ELED 508Applied Linguistics for ESL Teachers

3 credits

ELED 509Instructional Methods, Materials, and Assessments for ELL

3 credits

ELED 510English Language Learner (ELL) Family and Community Matters

2 credits

ELED 511State and Federal Issues Regarding ELL Students

2 credits

Additional Requirements

  • Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate or its equivalent from another state.
  • Proficiency in all aspects of English (Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening).
  • Graduates of PA colleges demonstrate proficiency in English by passing the required tests of Basic Skills, as well as the two English courses required for admission to a PA-approved teacher preparation program.
  • Foreign candidates demonstrate proficiency in English via the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) test called the "English Language, Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)." The score required for successful completion is Advanced Mid.

Admissions deadlines

Fall: March 15
Spring: Sept. 15
Summer: Jan. 15

Graduate Assistantships:

Graduate assistantships are available through the department. These are awarded based upon merit and achievement to full-time students in the graduate program.

Graduate assistants do not teach classes, but complete projects and tasks assigned by professors.

The graduate assistantship is awarded for the first year of full-time study, with the possibility of extension through the first summer. Prospective students should apply for a graduate assistantship at the time of original application to the program, using the application form online.

Full consideration will be given to those students who meet the application deadlines. Candidates will be selected and interviewed by the department chair and/or graduate coordinator.

Please contact the department chair and/or graduate coordinator at 570-422-3356 for additional information.