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 502 | Psychology of the Elementary School Child | 3 credits |
| ELED 570 | Introduction to Research | 3 credits |
| ELED 575 | Graduate Seminar | 3 credits |
| ELED 592 | Elementary School Curriculum | 3 credits |
| DMET 510 | Online Tools and Strategies for Learner-Centered Instruction | 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 512 | Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 520 | Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts | 3 credits |
| ELED 521 | Children’s Literature for Advanced Students | 3 credits |
| ELED 525 | Creative Drama | 3 credits |
| ELED 530 | Science in the Elementary School | 3 credits |
| ELED 540 | Mathematics in the Elementary School | 3 credits |
| ELED 544 | International Collaborative Learning Project | 1 - 3 credits |
| ELED 553 | Teaching and Motivation | 3 credits |
| ELED 585 | Planning For Change | 3 credits |
| ELED 550 | Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies | 3 credits |
Education Elective Courses - 6 credits
| PSED 510 | Teacher- School and Community | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learnng Process | 3 credits |
| DMET 520 | DE+:Selection and Utilization of Instructional Media for the Classroom | 3 credits |
| REED 523 | Analysis of Instructional techniques in Reading | 3 credits |
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
| SPED 570 | Collaboration in the Educational Process | 3 credits |
Early Childhood – Birth through Age 8
Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 523 | Diversity in Children’s Literature | 3 credits |
| ELED 557 | Reducing Stress in the Classroom | 3 credits |
| ELED 569 | Research Laboratory in Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 1 credits |
| REED 521 | Reading and Language Development for Diverse Learners | 3 credits |
| REED 550 | Foundations of Reading Recovery I | 3 credits |
| ELED 589 | Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs | 3 credits |
Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
| SPED 567 | Families in Education Process | 3 credits |
| SPED 568 | Early Intervention | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learnng Process | 3 credits |
| ELED 574 | Problems and Issues in Early Childhood Education | 3 credits |
Middle School Teaching
Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
| ELED 512 | Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 525 | Creative Drama | 3 credits |
| ELED 534 | Seminar in Elementary School Science | 3 credits |
| ELED 542 | Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics | 3 credits |
| ELED 549 | Reducing Classroom Conflict | 3 credits |
| ELED 550 | Current Trends in Elementary School Social Studies | 3 credits |
Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
| PSED 510 | Teacher- School and Community | 3 credits |
| PSED 565 | Curriculum Development Middle School | 3 credits |
| PSED 593 | Teaching Techniques in the Middle School | 3 credits |
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
| SPED 570 | Collaboration in the Educational Process | 3 credits |
| REED 527 | Reading Content Areas | 3 credits |
| REED 530 | Teaching Reading through Young Adult Literature | 3 credits |
Language, Literature, and the Arts
Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
| ELED 512 | Integrating the Arts into Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 520 | Current Trends in Elementary School Language Arts | 3 credits |
| ELED 521 | Children’s Literature for Advanced Students | 3 credits |
| ELED 523 | Diversity in Children’s Literature | 3 credits |
| ELED 525 | Creative Drama | 3 credits |
| ELED 545 | Bookarts | 3 credits |
Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learnng Process | 3 credits |
| SPED 540 | Language Arts Hndcpd | 3 credits |
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 517 | Creative Teaching Methods for the Advanced Student | 3 credits |
| ELED 530 | Science in the Elementary School | 3 credits |
| ELED 531 | Life Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 532 | Physical Science Workshop for Elementary Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 534 | Seminar in Elementary School Science | 3 credits |
| ELED 540 | Mathematics in the Elementary School | 3 credits |
| ELED 542 | Current Trends in Elementary School Mathematics | 3 credits |
<strong>Education Elective Courses</strong> (<strong>6 credits</strong> <strong>)</strong>
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learnng Process | 3 credits |
| PSED 565 | Curriculum Development Middle School | 3 credits |
| PSED 593 | Teaching Techniques in the Middle School | 3 credits |
Differentiated Teaching and Learning
Elementary Education Focus (12 credits)
| ELED 515 | Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education | 3 credits |
| ELED 523 | Diversity in Children’s Literature | 3 credits |
| ELED 533 | Designing and Implementing Programs for Professional Development | 3 credits |
| ELED 535 | Classroom Diversity | 3 credits |
| ELED 555 | The Clinical Supervision of Elementary Student Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 560 | Adaptive Education for Exceptional Students | 3 credits |
Education Elective Courses (6 credits)
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
| SPED 570 | Collaboration in the Educational Process | 3 credits |
| PSED 510 | Teacher- School and Community | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learnng Process | 3 credits |
English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist Certificate Program
Elementary Education ( 16 credits)
| ELED 506 | Second Language Acquisition and Development | 3 credits |
| ELED 507 | Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity | 3 credits |
| ELED 508 | Applied Linguistics for ESL Teachers | 3 credits |
| ELED 509 | Instructional Methods, Materials, and Assessments for ELL | 3 credits |
| ELED 510 | English Language Learner (ELL) Family and Community Matters | 2 credits |
| ELED 511 | State 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.