Elementary teacher helping student with laptop in classroom

M.Ed. Elementary Education and PreK-4 Teacher Certification

Academics

Choose a career as a teacher and change the future of a child.

Sarah McDermott

"After graduating from Lehigh with my master’s degree in education and my teacher certification, I hope to teach full-time in the elementary school setting."

-Read Sarah's Story

Overview

Our master’s degree in Elementary Education with Pennsylvania certification in pre-kindergarten through grade 4 is a 42-credit program held on campus. The program is designed for the college graduate who pursued a field other than education and now wants to become a certified elementary school teacher. 

As a teacher, you are guiding children’s development so they become successful and thriving adults. You are instrumental in their academic and social-emotional development.  Your support of children and their families has impact beyond the classroom walls.  Your work builds stronger communities.

Demand for Teachers

Highly qualified teachers are critically needed in the U.S. and in Pennsylvania.  According to the U.S. Department of Education, Pennsylvania, along with the nation, is facing a teacher shortage. The M.Ed. in Elementary Education guarantees that you will be extremely competitive in the job market. COE training is recognized as exemplary by area school districts. 

If you are interested in teaching in other states, the PA teaching licensure can be used to apply for certification in the majority of states in the United States.

Also, once you become certified in PreK-4, you can add on many other certifications through testing, with minimal additional coursework sometimes required.

Career Opportunities

Once teachers are certified in Pennsylvania, that certification has reciprocity in most states. Educators who have completed Lehigh’s program teach in almost every state in the United States as well as overseas. 

Rising school enrollments and teacher retirements have contributed to a teacher shortage in Pennsylvania and around the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting that the number of teaching positions for kindergarten and elementary school teachers will rise by 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, adding about 116,300 jobs. 

Program at a Glance

Format: On-Campus

Credits: 14 courses (42 credits) including the PreK-4 Level 1 PA Teacher Certification

Length: 2 years

Deadlines: April 15 for summer semester summer, July 15 for fall semester start (the fall 2026 deadline has been extended to July 31), December 15 for spring semester start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadlines.

Credential Earned: M.Ed. in Elementary Education and PreK-4 Level 1 PA Teacher Certification

Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

International Students

Please Note:

Due to Pennsylvania Department of Education criteria, international students are not eligible for PDE certification. Lehigh is unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this program.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Pennsylvania Department of Education Requirements

It is important for individuals considering teaching as a career to be aware of the fairly rigorous academic, health, and personal character requirements for teacher certification that are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for teacher candidates statewide:

  • An overall GPA of at least 3.0 (both graduate and undergraduate).
  • Clearances through the Office of Professional Certification 

Please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for additional information on Pennsylvania Certification.

The COE Advantage

In our program, you will:

  • Learn from nationally recognized professors with expertise in academic and behavioral development, instructional technology, special education, and multilingual learners. 

  • Gain hands-on experience starting in your first semester! You will enjoy mentored teaching placements in a variety of settings—including urban, suburban, and rural districts. This array of experience will be attractive to future employers as well as build your confidence and adaptability.

  • Use cutting-edge instructional technology to engage students and expand learning opportunities in dynamic, meaningful ways.

  • Build a versatile toolbox of teaching strategies designed to support all learners, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners.

Our Program Also Offers:

  • Highly Ranked Program with Competitive Tuition: We pride ourselves on offering a top-ranked education at a price point that beats out our competitors. We are the only local teacher preparation ranked in the top 100 of U.S. News & World Report. 
  • Faculty in the Field: Class instructors have firsthand experience working as PreK-12 educators.
  • Small Class Sizes: A low student-to-faculty ratio means master’s candidates work closely with mentors throughout the program. 
  • A Schedule Built for Working Adults: Courses are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings to allow you to work. This flexibility allows you to gain valuable and marketable experience in schools or with youth, such as substitute teaching and instructional assistants.   

Frequently Asked Questions

The M.Ed. Elementary Education and PreK-4 Teacher Certification takes two years to complete.

This program is held on campus.

Curriculum

All courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted. Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog.

course numbercourse name
SPED 33Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs
TLT 380Child Development and Cognition
TLT 404Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
TLT 405Principles and Applications of K-12 Assessment
TLT 407Instructional Design for K-12 Classrooms
TLT 409K-12 Classroom Environment and Management
TLT 411Early Childhood Education

course numbercourse name
SPED 465Advanced Inclusionary Practices in K-12
TLT 412Social Studies in PreK through 4th Grade
TLT 420Literacy in PreK through 4th Grade: Reading and Its Foundations
TLT 422Literacy in PreK through 4th Grade: Writing and Its Foundations
TLT 426Science in PreK through 4th Grade
TLT 428Mathematics and Numeracy in PreK through 4th Grade

course numbercourse name
TLT 444General Education Student Teaching and Seminar

course numbercourse name
SPED 418Alternative Curricular Approaches
SPED 419Intensive Intervention in Reading
SPED 421Intensive Intervention in Mathematics and Content Area Literacy
SPED 423Supporting Transition for Individuals with Disabilities
SPED 432Positive Behavior Support
SPED 452Assessment in Special Education

Dual certification in PreK-12 will require the following to replace TLT 444 above:

course numbercourse name
TLT 442General Education and Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar

Typical Course Load: Fall (2-3 courses), spring (2-3 courses), summer (3-4 courses)

Practical Experience Component: Student teaching in the last semester (only for those looking for additional certification)

Faculty & Staff

Application Requirements

  • Transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate). Evaluations are required for applicants who have earned a degree outside the U.S.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Personal statement
  • Undergraduate coursework audit by content area expert in the certification area
  • Professional resume 
  • Acknowledgement of the College of Education policy on background clearances

Still have questions?

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