Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Middle Level (grades 4-8) Certification
Certificate Level: Graduate
Admissions Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 33.0
Instructional Delivery: Online; Campus
Calendar Type: Quarter
Expected Time to Completion: 2 years
Financial Aid Eligibility: Aid eligible*
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 13.1399
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 11-9039
*The current plan of study for this program would only allow for federal financial aid (including Federal Direct Student Loans) for terms that are at least a minimum of 4.5 credits for graduate courses and 6.0 credits for undergraduate courses. This is based on current regulations from the U.S. Department of Education.
About the Program
This certificate program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and who seek to qualify for Pennsylvania teacher certification at the middle level (grades 4-8). The curriculum is designed for those changing careers and those who already serve as temporary, emergency, or substitute teachers and wish to earn a formal teaching credential. Students completing the certification program have the option to continue coursework to earn an MS in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum degree. All graduate credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward the MS in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum degree.
This program addresses the complexities of adolescent development through discussion of theories. It explores the middle school environment, developmentally appropriate middle school programs, strategies for supporting students through the transition to middle school, and the impact of peer pressure on the middle school child. The coursework in this program will prepare students for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. For students intending to teach outside of Pennsylvania, through operation of interstate reciprocity agreements, a Pennsylvania teaching certificate may be converted to the analogous teaching certificate in another state. The School of Education recommends prospective students contact their state’s Department of Education to find out these transfer procedures before proceeding.
Program Learning Objectives
- Professionalism: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Make ethical, sound decisions based on Pennsylvania Professional Code of Conduct
- Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, school community, and profession that is focused on positive and innovative change
- Seek ongoing professional growth and development in the field to improve practice
- Demonstrate a growth mindset and take responsibility for student learning and academic growth
- Partner with parents in the education of their children
- Diversity: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Use culturally responsive pedagogy to create equitable learning experiences for all students
- Use critical self-reflection to understand one’s own identity in the context of a classroom of diverse learners
- Create an inclusive classroom environment with high expectations for all learners
- Reflective Practice: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on their professional practice
- Use data and classroom-based evidence to inform and improve professional practice
- Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Demonstrate strong content knowledge in all subject areas that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with NAEYC standards and program outcomes
- Deliver effective developmentally informed instruction that is culturally and linguistically sensitive to the children in the class
- Use appropriate means of ongoing assessment that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the unique capabilities of young children, and utilize assessment information to make appropriate modifications to the curriculum that will demonstrate children’s progress and ensure optimal learning opportunities for all children
- Integrate tools of technology in teaching and learning that are appropriate for the developmental levels of children and that expand, enrich, implement, individualize, differentiate, and extend the overall curriculum.
- Construct well-written, research-based, developmentally appropriate lesson plans that reflect active teaching and learning
- Classroom Climate: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Create a safe, positive, and productive learning environment that supports and facilitates learning for all students
- Build a sense of community in a collaborative climate based on developmentally appropriate prosocial skills where students work collaboratively and have a shared sense of ownership
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of child and/or adolescent development and the learning sciences.
- Use differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of one’s students
- Use developmentally informed teaching practices
Pennsylvania Certification Area
Successful completion of Drexel University’s Pennsylvania Department of Education approved programs will allow candidates to pursue Pennsylvania Instructional I certification in middle level (4-8) math, science, social studies, or English. Additional content area coursework (or equivalent) may be required and is determined by departmental review at the time of application.
The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in each EDEX, EDLT, EDUC, and MTED courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components.
Admission Requirements
The candidate will complete the following application procedures:
- Candidate submits the Drexel application materials consisting of:
- Completed application
- Well-written essay to assess writing level/ability
- Current resume
- Two recommendation letters
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- Candidates are also required to follow Drexel’s procedure for obtaining the required state and federal clearances to engage in learning activities in schools.
Program Requirements
Middle Years (grades 4-8) Certification
| EDEX 542 | Fundamentals of Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDEX 544 | Inclusive Practices | 3.0 |
| EDEX 568 | Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-12 | 3.0 |
| EDLT 525 | Design for Learning with Digital Media | 3.0 |
| EDUC 515 | Adolescent Learners | 3.0 |
| EDUC 520 | Professional Studies in Instruction (Middle ) | 3.0 |
| EDUC 522 | Evaluation of Instruction | 3.0 |
| EDUC 540 | Field Experience | 3.0 |
| EDUC 562 | Middle Years Social Studies Methods | 1.5 |
| EDUC 564 | English/Language Arts Teaching Methods for the Middle Years | 1.5 |
| EDUC 565 | Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDUC 567 | Middle Years Science Methods | 1.5 |
| MTED 563 | Middle Years Mathematical Methods (4-8) | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 33.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| EDUC 520 | 3.0 | EDEX 544 | 3.0 | EDUC 565 | 3.0 | EDUC 522 | 3.0 |
| EDEX 542 | 3.0 | EDUC 515 | 3.0 | EDEX 568 | 3.0 | EDLT 525 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | ||||
| EDUC 564 | 1.5 | EDUC 562 | 1.5 | ||||
| MTED 563 | 1.5 | EDUC 567 | 1.5 | ||||
| EDUC 540 | 3.0 | ||||||
| 3 | 6 | ||||||
| Total Credits 33 | |||||||
Additional Information
More information is available at the School of Education's website.