PA Graduate Intern Teaching Certification - Grades PreK-4 Education

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Learn more about the Teaching Certificate - Graduate Intern (PA Only)
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Curriculum

Grades PreK-4 Graduate PA Intern Certification
 
 The PA Intern Teaching Certificate program for Grades PreK-4 Certification consists of 42 credits (14 Core Pedagogy courses), Praxis I & II exams, and 11 content courses. Only five core pedagogy courses* (EDUC 517, 520, 529, 540, & 542), specific content courses listed below in Red, and Praxis I & II must be successfully completed to qualify for the PA Intern Teaching Certificate. You may work as a full-time teacher in PA on the basis of a Intern Teaching Certificate while you complete the remaining courses required for PA Instructional I Teaching Certification.  
 
Evaluation of transcripts by a program advisor in relation to state standards determines the required content courses for grades PreK-4 Certification. Click here to view required content courses for PreK-4 Certifications.

PreK-4 Core Pedagogy Courses (42 Credits Total)
EDUC 506Assessment of Young Learners3.00 credits
EDUC 520Prof Studies Instruction3.00 credits
EDUC 521Typical & Atypical Develop EC3.00 credits
EDUC 525Multi-Media Instruc Desgn3.00 credits
EDUC 539Expressive Arts3.00 credits
EDUC 542Fundamentals of Special Education3.00 credits
EDUC 544The Inclusive Classroom3.00 credits
EDUC 546Literacy and Content Skill Development3.00 credits
EDUC 565Foundations in Instructing ELLs3.00 credits

PreK-4 Required Methods Courses
EDUC 513Elementary Sci Teach Methods3.00 credits
EDUC 517Math Methods & Content: EC PK43.00 credits
EDUC 529Early Literacy3.00 credits
EDUC 555Social Studies Teach Methods3.00 credits

Graduate Student Teaching
EDUC 540Field Experience3.00 credits
Field Experience - All graduates seeking teacher certification are required to complete 2 weeks of Pre-student Teaching (at the end of EDUC 517 and EDUC 529) immediately prior to beginning EDUC 540: Field Experience.  EDUC 540 requires the student to be full-time and spend 12 weeks with a cooperating teacher in an appropriate PreK-4 school classroom. All state-approved teacher certification programs include a similar field experience requirements. All field placements (domestic and international) will be arranged on the students’ behalf by the Drexel University Field Placement Office. In addition, throughout the program, students will be required to complete classroom observations, interviews or some fieldwork within most core Pedagogy courses. For more information on all required field experiences, please click here.
Field Experience Orientation - Drexel highly recommends that all interested students visit the School of Education's in-depth Student Teaching Handbook prior to applying. The information presented in this piece thoroughly breaks down the time commitments and prerequisites required to undertake this portion of the program and helps the student gain a better understanding of what will be involved. Placement, site approval, and course requirements are also discussed in the Student Teaching Handbook.
PA Instructional I Teacher Certification - Completion of this program satisfies the requirements for Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification. Students must complete all required Pedagogy and content coursework with a grade of “B” or better, and receive passing Praxis test scores. Students must enter with and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

*Completion of EDUC 520, EDUC 517, EDUC 529, EDUC 540, EDUC 542 and Praxis I & II are required for Drexel recommendation for Graduate Intern Teacher Certificate

Course Descriptions

EDUC 506 Assessment of Young Learners - 3.00 credits

Candidates will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role of the assessment process in early childhood education. The content will provide graduate candidates with an in-depth review of informal evaluation procedures and classroom-based data collection strategies for young children in inclusive early child care and education settings.

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EDUC 520 Prof Studies Instruction - 3.00 credits

For students who lack professional-level classroom teaching in grades K to 12. Examines and develops skills in instructional planning, pedagogy, motivation, classroom management and discipline, interrelationships among diverse populations within school settings, and identification of instructional resources. Discusses current principles of developmental and learning theories and instructional design applied to teaching.

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EDUC 521 Typical & Atypical Develop EC - 3.00 credits

This course addresses the multifaceted complexities of typical and atypical child development, through the discussion of classic and emerging theories. The primary aim of the course is to foster the students¿ ability to recognize and apply the connections among developmental domains and of theory and research with educational practice. The readings and class assignments make use of research-based, real-world, and cross-cultural examples.

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EDUC 525 Multi-Media Instruc Desgn - 3.00 credits

Investigates learning theory and its implications for interactive multimedia formats, including the relationship of instructional design principles to selection of media elements (text, video, sound, animation, and graphics) for high-quality design. Examines human-computer interface principles, navigation features, and visual thinking using a wide range of educational software examples. Criteria for software assessment and virtual classrooms are reviewed. Students design and write a software prototype as a group design project. Complex issues and concepts in technology and education are analyzed.

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EDUC 539 Expressive Arts - 3.00 credits

The focus of this graduate course is to teach future educators to develop and incorporate relevant curriculum for the expressive arts (dance, music, theatre and visual arts), into the PK-4 classroom. Through observation, curriculum development and assessment, educators will be able to identify, administer, interpret and plan instruction for PK-4 learners.

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EDUC 542 Fundamentals of Special Education - 3.00 credits

This course provides an overview of the essentials of special education for today's teachers. Specific emphasis is placed on; the history of special education, purposes of formal and informal assessments and current research on inclusive classrooms. Additional focus will be placed on legal/ethical considerations in testing and the translation of data. Field observation hours will be required.

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EDUC 544 The Inclusive Classroom - 3.00 credits

The focus of this course is to teach teachers how to manage instruction for students with diverse learning and behavioral profiles in the inclusive classroom by examining normal and abnormal cognitive, physical, social, behavioral and language development of children. The course will address curricular, environmental and instructional adaptations in addressing students' needs. Field observation hours will be required.

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EDUC 546 Literacy and Content Skill Development - 3.00 credits

The focus of this course is literacy skill development in individuals at-risk for disabilities and with disabilities as well as causes and correlates of individual differences in reading ability. Research, theory, identification approaches and practical, research-supported instructional strategies will be provided for working with students.

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EDUC 565 Foundations in Instructing ELLs - 3.00 credits

This is a foundations course to prepare all pre-service teachers to work with English Lang. Learners. Focus will be on gaining an understanding of the linguistic, social and academic needs of ELLs and the roles and responsibilities of the classroom teacher in meeting those needs. Field-based observation hours will be required.

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EDUC 513 Elementary Sci Teach Methods - 3.00 credits

Methods for teaching elementary school science are explored including strategies and technologies to support student learning as defined by the state and national science standards. Inquiry-based model of learning and assessment emphasized. Theory and practice bridged to provide hands-on experiences in application of constructivist learning theory and effective classroom experiences.

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EDUC 517 Math Methods & Content: EC PK4 - 3.00 credits

Candidates will develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively deliver standards-aligned academic math content-based on age appropriate understanding and individual and group needs including an appreciation and respect for the individual differences and unique needs of all children in the PK-4 setting.

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EDUC 529 Early Literacy - 3.00 credits

Course examines research-validated literacy instruction and literacy interventions. Topics include; phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and the reading-writing connection. Significant emphasis is placed on the socio-cultural aspects of reading: appreciating linguistic diversity, integrating cultural narratives, building reading communities, and motivating children through authentic reading and writing experiences.

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EDUC 555 Social Studies Teach Methods - 3.00 credits

Course prepares the preservice teacher in making appropriate decisions about students and instructional processes in the social studies classroom. Perceptions and perspectives as it relates to social studies instruction in the following areas are explored: curriculum standards, unit development, assessment design and construction, interdisciplinary/integrated curriculum planning, specific group strategies, individualizing techniques, instructional technology, and professional development.

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EDUC 540 Field Experience - 3.00 credits

Provides supervised field experience at a cooperating school designed to develop skills in instructional planning, pedagogy, motivation, classroom management and discipline, interrelationships among diverse populations within school settings, identification of instructional resources, and applications of current research on effective teaching.

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