Early Childhood Education/Special Education (PreK-12) Certification

Program Overview

La Salle University's Early Childhood Education/Special Education Certificate Program prepares educators for the 21st century through project-based learning and community engagement. The program offers hybrid and online options, and is taught by experienced educators. Graduates are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of individual learners and state-of-the-art instruction methods, opening up career opportunities in various educational settings.

Program Outline

La Salle University's Early Childhood Education/Special Education (PreK-12) Certificate Program

Degree Overview:

• **Program prepares 21st century educators through project-based, problem-based service learning and community engagement grounded in Lasallian values.

• **Offers unique alternatives to the traditional school-as-factory model that views each child as an individual learner.

• **La Salle-educated teachers command a comprehensive understanding of the individual learner.

• **Teachers learn how to develop state-of-the-art instruction that works in the "real world" of the school.

• **Provides in-service continuing education for practicing teachers; dual certification in elementary, middle level, secondary and special education; certification in most secondary teaching areas; and add-on certifications in Instructional Coaching, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Special Education.

Outline:

• Course Requirements:
• Found by contacting the program director, Kimberly Lewinski, Ph.D. (`lewinski@lasalle.edu` or `(215) 951-1362`)
• Program Structure:
• Hybrid and online options are available.
• The program is designed to enhance classroom instruction.
• All courses are taught by veteran educators with years of experience in elementary, middle school, and secondary settings.
• Program Content:
• Courses:
• EDC 503 – Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development
• Explores theories of learning and development for humans across the lifespan.
• Addresses individual development in the home, school, community, workplace, and social settings.
• Analyzes normative and nonnormative developmental trends.
• EDC 510 – Human Exceptionalities
• Provides an overview of human exceptionalities and the forces influencing service provision.
• Clarifies perceptions of exceptionalities and defines key terms and concepts.
• Identifies major trends in service provision for exceptional individuals.
• EDC 613 – The Role of the Developmentally Oriented Teacher
• Enables students to apply child and adolescent development concepts to teaching practice.
• Explores strategic instructional planning, teaching styles, presentation skills, cooperative learning, and classroom management systems.
• Emphasizes the teacher's role as an educational leader and decision-maker.
• Utilizes video-assisted micro-teaching in both lab and classroom settings.
• Other Modules:

Teaching:

• **Courses are taught by veteran educators with years of experience in various educational settings.

• **The program uses a project-based, problem-based learning approach.

• **La Salle's Graduate Education department is grounded in Lasallian values.

Careers:

• Graduates explore careers such as:
• Principal
• District Administrator
• Corporate Trainer
• Education Policy Analyst
• Higher Education
• Nonprofit Educational Director
• Childcare Director
• School Counselor
• Career Counselor

Other:

• **The program is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

• **La Salle University is located at 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141.

• The program's website is: https://www.lasalle.edu/arts-and-sciences/early-childhood-education-special-education-certification