Special Education Pre-K - Grade 4 Certification

Help those in need achieve their potential as a special education teacher.

Start the path to a challenging and rewarding career teaching children with cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional problems and physical disabilities.

A bachelor's degree from California University of Pennsylvania in early childhood education and pre-kindergarten to grade 8 special education is a dual major program that will enable you to earn certification to teach pre-K-grade 4, as well as a license to teach special education for grades Pre-K-8.

As part of the regular curriculum, you'll also receive the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Integrative STEM Education Endorsement, an additional credential that documents your ability to integrate science, technology, engineering and math concepts into early childhood and elementary education.

For those interested in teaching a broader range of grade levels, a dual major in grades 4-8 education and special education is available as well.

It's more than a career. It's a calling.

Gain comprehensive knowledge of the special education field and teaching students with exceptionalities.
Develop instructional techniques for all students with exceptionalities, including specialized training in applied behavior analysis, behavior modification and working with autistic students.
Apply your knowledge in real-life settings though field placements and student teaching.
Earn the Integrative STEM Education Endorsement as part of your four-year teacher education program.

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Program Highlights: Special Education / Early Childhood Education

Top Accreditation: This undergraduate degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Cal U's education programs have also been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954, and we are continuing with the successor organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). See CAEP reporting measures of program impact and outcomes.

Hands-on Education: Receive hands-on experience during three field placements in high-incidence and low-incidence disabilities, special education and pre-K-grade 4 education, as well as student teaching practicums where you'll work alongside a supervisor to practice the principles you've learned in your courses.

Learn more about applying.

160

Cal U has a 160-year reputation of producing top-quality teachers in Pennsylvania and beyond.

$60,090

Is the mean annual salary for special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary schools. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Degree Benefits

As a special education bachelor's degree student, you will:

Gain in-depth knowledge of human development and learning.
Learn from top faculty and get individualized advising and supervised field experiences with children.
Complete one semester of student teaching, including classroom experience with early childhood and special education
Become certified to teach pre-K-grade 4 and special education grades pre-k-8 upon graduation and completion of Pennsylvania certification requirements.
Benefit from career support from faculty and Cal U's Career and Professional Development Center.

Graduate Outcomes

Pennsylvania is among the top five states for number of professionals employed as special education teachers in kindergartens and elementary schools. The field of special education continues to grow, providing excellent career opportunities for today's graduates. Cal U graduates are qualified to assume professional roles, including:

Special education classroom teacher.
Resource room teacher.
Homebound instruction teacher.
Hospital teacher.
A variety of roles in sheltered workshops and community-living arrangements for adults with disabilities.

Special Education/ Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree Courses and Related Programs

This four-year dual major bachelor's degree results in certification to teach pre-K-grade 4, as well as pre-K-8 special education upon graduation and completion of Pennsylvania certification requirements. Degree courses will prepare you to meet the standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Curriculum

Course	Credits
Freshman Year
First Semester	16
ENG 101 English Composition I	3
HIS 101 OR 102 U.S. History	3
MAT 120 Elementary Topics in Math I	3
PSY 205 Childhood Psychology	3
UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
Any Natural Science Course	3

Second Semester	18
CHD 200 Introduction to PreK-Grade 4	3
ELE 220 Instruction and Assessment PreK	3
ELE 221 Instruction and Assessment in K-4	3
ESP 210 Special Education Foundations and Collaboration	3
ESP 311 Assessment and Positive Behavior Interventions	3
MAT 130 Elementary Topics in Math II	3

Sophomore Year
Third Semester	15
ELE 300 Emerging Literacy	3
ELE 310 Teaching Math/Science PK-4	3
GEO/POS/ECO 102 Social Sciences	3
MUS/ART/THE 372 Creative Arts PK-4	3
Any Approved AM/BRIT Literature	3

Fourth Semester	12
CHD 250 Health and PE for PK-Grade 4	3
CHD 312 Instructional Leadership in Childhood Education	3
EDU 333 Educational Technology	3
PSY 208 Educational Psychology	3

Junior Year
Fifth Semester	18
ELE 301 Literacy Foundations I: LA	3
ELE 302 Literacy Foundations II: Reading	3
ELE 331 Teaching Social Studies K-4	3
ESP 312 Applied Behavior Analysis for Special Educators	3
ESP 339 Special Education Field Experience I	3
ESP 403 Assessment and Prescriptive Teaching	3

Sixth Semester	18
EDU 350 Supporting ELL	3
ELE 311 Teaching Math K-4	3
ELE 321 Teaching Science K-4	3
ESP 407 Early Intervention Special Education	3
ESP 411 History, Theory, and Exceptionality	3
ESP 412 Evidence Based Practices	3

Senior Year
Seventh Semester	18
CHD 350 Family and Community Collaboration Partnerships	3
CHD 450 Assessment and Data Literacy	3
EDU 375 Introduction to Integrative STEM Education	3
ESP 349 Special Education Field Experience II	3
ESP 402 Life Skills Planning and Instruction	3
ESP 414 Advanced Evidence Based Practices for PK-8 Inclusion	3

Eighth Semester	12
ELE 461 Student Teaching and School Law	6
ESP 461 Student Teaching and School Law	6
Total	127

Program Notes

All ELE/ESP/CHD courses require current clearances and a minimum 2.5 GPA to register.
All courses required for certification must earn C or better.
Admission to Teacher Education required for enrollment in ESP 412, CHD 450, ELE 311, ELE 321, ELE 331, ESP 461 and ELE 461.
Pre-requisites for ELE 221 and all 300 level ELE and CHS courses are ELE 200 and ELE 220. ESP 210 and ESP 311 are prerequisites for all ESP courses.
Bolded courses titles indicate a block of courses that must be taken together.

Approved British or American Literature Courses

ENG 107 Introduction to Fiction
ENG 125 The American West
ENG 127 Woman as Hero
ENG 148 Horror in Literature
ENG 150 Baseball in Literature
ENG 155 Black Literature
ENG 160 Introduction to British and American Literature
ENG 203 Great Books
ENG 301 English Literature I
ENG 302 English Literature II
ENG 337 Survey of American Literature I
ENG 338 Survey of American Literature II

Related Programs

Bachelor's Degrees:

Master's Degrees:

Certifications and Certificates

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What Can You Do With a Special Education Degree?

Whether your long-term goal is to be a special education teacher in an elementary school, in a middle school, or in another engaging position working with individuals with disabilities, our bachelor’s degree program prepares you be a successful, valuable professional.

Learn more

A Cal U student interacts with an elementary student.

What Do Alumni Like Best About the Program?

According to Brenda DiEugenio '04 (Dual B.S. Special/Elementary Education), student teaching was a very valuable experience. "I had the opportunity to learn from exceptional teachers, allowing me to gain an understanding of myself as a teacher and my philosophy on teaching."

Pencils and an apple rest on a teacher's desk in front of a chalkboard.

STEM Education Endorsement

When you earn your Level I teacher certification in this special education program, you’ll also earn the Integrative STEM Education Endorsement. Cal U is one of the only Pennsylvania universities to offer this in-demand credential as part of the standard teacher preparation curriculum. The Integrative STEM Education Endorsement documents your ability to plan, design and implement instructional strategies that integrate STEM into classroom lessons. The learning activities you’ll learn to create also can be used in maker spaces, tinker labs, fabrication labs and other innovative settings.

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Special Education Degree

A special education degree from California University of Pennsylvania is a great investment in your future. Whether you want to teach special education in elementary schoolor middle school, or want to earn a bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for many other exciting employment opportunities serving individuals with disabilities, we’ve got you covered. Here are the Top 10 reasons to get a special Education Degree from Cal U.

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