M.A. in Education - Teacher Certification

Program Description

Please refer to the most recent GCU Graduate Catalog for updated program information.

The MA in Education with Dual Teacher Certification offers three types of certification:

• Elementary Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (K-5)
• Elementary/Middle School  Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement  (K-8)
• Specific Subject Area Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (Secondary Certification)

The Traditional Dual Teacher certification Program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university who have chosen to enter the teaching profession. This 39 credit certification program benefits the students through intense coursework with an emphasis upon enriched field experiences. Classes are offered in the evening starting at 4:00 p.m.

Students who successfully complete their course work for certification (39 credits), Praxis II exam requirement and field experience will achieve a state-approved dual teacher certification:  The first certification will be in teaching K-5; K-8 (subject specific) or 6-12 (secondary – subject specific). The second will be an endorsement in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Special Education) in their specific teaching area.

Program Highlights

The strength of our program is our faculty. Our professors have many years in the public sector as teachers and administrators.   As William Purkey, a leading educator stated “You can’t come back from where you have never been”.  Students must learn from those who have been there. Perhaps this is the reason eighty percent of our graduates have teaching positions within six months of graduation. Many have been selected as Teacher of the Year by their respective schools and the County.  Some have represented New Jersey on the national level as Teacher of the Year.

Many of our graduates have become principals, supervisors, superintendents of schools.  In fact, one of our graduates is a County Superintendent. The proof of our program rests in the achievement of the pupils our graduates teach.   This is one reason our graduates are sought by various school districts. 

Admisssion Requirements

• Four-year degree form a regionally accredited college/university
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for consideration to the Master's program and 2.75 GPA for consideration to the Post Bac Certificate program.

Admissions Procedures for Teacher Certification students

• Completed application - Graduate Application (PDF) or Online Graduate Application
• $40.00 application fee
• Transcripts from EVERY college/university attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of objectives (a one to three page essay on why you want to become a teacher)

At this point your transcripts will be evaluated for prerequisite coursework and a decision will be made regarding your acceptance.
You will be sent a letter from the school of education listing any required prerequisite coursework.  You will also be asked to sumbit the following PRIOR to enrolling in any courses:

• Submit passing scores on the following Basic Skills tests (reading, writing, essay, and mathematics) (see handout)
• Submit Mantoux test (Negative for Tuberculin)

 A letter of admissions will be sent to accepted students. Once accepted, the applicant must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass student teaching with a “B” or better and pass the required Praxis II exam/s Prior to student teaching. Any pre-requisite courses listed in your letter of admissions must be completed PRIOR to enrolling in EDC 6313 (90 hour field placement). You must pass the P&H exam PRIOR to Student Teaching (see handout)

Course Sequence

• EDC 5105 – Introduction to Inclusive Education (includes 60 hrs. in classroom setting)
• EDC 5110 – Foundations in Inclusive Education
• EDC 5158 – Introduction to Educational Technology in an Inclusive Setting
• EDC 5206 – Assessment and Instr. Design for Students with Special Needs

If Elementary (K-5, K-8):

• EDC 5235 – Inst. Design for Inclusive El. Ed.
• EDC 5210 – Inst. In Literacy Inclusive Elem. Ed. I
• EDC 5211 – Inst. In Literacy Inclusive Elem. Ed. II
• EDC 5225 – Inst. Numeracy for Inclusive El. Ed       

If Subject Specific Area:

• EDC 5240 – Inst. Design for Inclusive Sec. Ed
• EDC 5215 – Inst. In Literacy for Inclusive Sec. Ed I
• EDC 5220 – Inst. In Literacy for Inclusive Sec. Ed. II
• EDC 5230 – Secondary Subj. Inst. In Inclus. Ed.

• EDC 6313 – Co- Planning and Co-Teaching for Inclusive Education (includes 90 hours in an inclusive classroom setting)
• EDC 6080 – Student Teaching – (includes 15 weeks in an inclusive classroom setting)

Total credits – 39 credits

To complete the MA in Education (with-in a six year maximum time limit)

• EDC 5001 – Phil. And Psych. Foundations of Inclusive Education
• EDC 5014 – Methods of Research for Leadership in the Inclusive Setting
• EDC 5010 – Curricular Leadership for the Inclusive School
• EDC 6095 – Project: Applied Thesis I
• EDC 6099 – Project: Applied Thesis II

Total credits – 54 credits