Early and Elementary Education with Special Education MEd

51��’s Master of Education in Early and Elementary Education with Special Education puts you on the path to earning specialized credentials, plus a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. By successfully completing the program, you’ll earn 51��’s recommendation to receive Instructional I teacher certification. You will also develop the expertise to earn Early and Elementary (PreK through grade 4) and Special Education (PreK through grade 12) teacher certification.

In addition to core theory and techniques in reading/literacy, math, science and social studies instruction, you will learn how to educate students with special educational needs in a way that addresses their individual differences. The study of learning processes allows students to understand individual differences in intelligence, cognitive development and��self-regulation, as well as their role in learning. Whether a child has autism, ADHD��or another special educational need, you will acquire the expertise to help them overcome it by

assessing the child’s educational needs,
creating inclusive classroom settings and practices,
developing appropriate instructional strategies, and
managing the classroom through positive behavior support.

Your coursework will also help you

gain a firm foundation in the theory of child and adolescent development,
get a solid overview of the problems educational psychologists address, and
master the techniques for teaching English to children who speak other languages.

Teacher Certification

This program prepares you to pass the to become certified as an early and elementary education grades PreK through grade 4 teacher and as a special education PreK through grade 12 teacher. Certification is your license to teach in Pennsylvania.

You will also earn 51��’s recommendation to receive the Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. .

�󾱱��ɴǰ��

In addition to state certification exams and student teaching, you must complete field experiences as part of your coursework. Field placements are designed to give you teaching experience working with children in educational and non-educational settings.��The majority of field experiences require students to spend seven full days over the course of a semester in the classroom. During the student teaching semester, students are required to spend every day in the classroom for 14 weeks.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Review the full list of��.

Classes & Curriculum

The master’s program consists of 46 credits, including two foundational courses:

Child and Adolescent Development��Ի�
Problems in Educational Psychology,��a seminar series.

Students also complete 15 credits of coursework in early childhood instruction and 15 credits of special education coursework, including Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support.��

Most courses are held on 51��’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, though some online and hybrid options are available. Main Campus courses are held in the evening starting at 5:30 p.m. You can attend full- or part-time, and you have up to four years to complete the program.��

Learn more about required and elective courses for the Early and Elementary Education with Special Education MEd.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51��’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Education offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,148.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,577.00 per credit

Program Contact

Jason Travers, teaching and learning professor, is the faculty program coordinator for the Early and Elementary Education with Special Education MEd.
Phone:��215-204-8000
Email:��[click-for-email]��

Our Advisors

Advisors will guide you in navigating the curriculum and selecting the appropriate coursework to achieve your academic and professional goals. A graduate academic��advisor will also be available to help you with scheduling, policies and procedures to ensure your smooth passage through the program.

Certification

This program is approved as a teacher certification program by the .

Questions

For more information about this program, the College of Education and Human Development, how to apply for admission, and your application status, contact Enrollment Management.

Enrollment Management
Phone: 215-204-8011
Email: [click-for-email]

51��

51��