ADVANCED STUDIES IN ELEMENTARY TEACHER EDUCATION
ON-LINE PROGRAM
MASTER OF EDUCATION
in
NATIONAL BOARD TEACHER CERTIFICATION PREPARATION

Program Description

California University of Pennsylvania’s Advanced Studies in Teacher Education is a completely online 33 credit graduate program for certified teachers seeking National Board Teacher Certification. The curriculum is aligned with National Board for Professional Teaching Standard’s (NBPTS) Five Core Propositions and the certification standards which will prepare teachers for National Board Teacher Certification.  The program provides the substance for meaningful learning experiences that require teachers to demonstrate what they know and can do while developing knowledge and skills that emphasize content, pedagogy, inquiry, reflection, leadership, and collegiality.

Program Features

• Enrollment requires that the student have a bachelor's degree or higher and teaching certification in elementary or early childhood education.
• All courses are offered on-line and there is no requirement to come to campus.
• Students are expected to complete degree requirements in five semesters, two courses each semester, including summer sessions.
• Students are members of a cohort group that works together via the Internet/Web.
• All coursework is delivered online using the internet.
• Courses involve online activities including small group projects, case studies, papers, exams, discussion and debate, as the basis for earning credits.
• All courses feature asynchronous discussion; i.e., messages are posted at any time and students can see previously posted messages by others.)
• Students can participate at any time of the day they wish. 
• Advising is available via telephone or email.
• All coursework can be used to complete continuing education requirements under Act 48 - Pennsylvania. Your state may have similar requirements.

Program Philosophy

The Master’s in Education with an emphasis in National Board Teacher Certification Preparation is based on and supports as well as implements the principles prescribed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard’s (NBPTS) Five Core Propositions and certification standards.

The Five Core Propositions are:

·         Proposition 1: Teachers are Committed to Students and Learning

·         Proposition 2: Teachers Know the Subjects They Teach and How to Teach Those Subjects to Students

·         Proposition 3: Teachers are Responsible for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning

·         Proposition 4: Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn From Experience

·         Proposition 5: Teachers are Members of Learning Communities.

Candidates enrolled in this program will participate in course work that provides an opportunity to assess their accomplished teaching.  Course requirements mirror the standards, skills, professional dispositions, and knowledge required by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

• Candidates will study and apply the NBPTS’ Standards in their certification area
• Candidates will gather and assess samples of student work based upon NBPTS Standards
• Candidates will investigate child development theories as they design optimal learning opportunities for students in their classrooms.
• Candidates will evaluate their teaching artifacts based upon NBPTS Standards
• Candidates will video tape and analyze their classroom instruction based upon NBPTS’ Standards
• Candidates will engage in descriptive, analytical and reflective writing
• Candidates will reflect upon and document professional accomplishments that

            focus on work within the profession and outreach to families and community.

• Candidates will engage in designing and implementing an individualized professional development plan to support their journey to accomplished teaching
• Candidates will engage in research related to their content and certification area
• Candidates will analyze challenging teaching issues across the age range and topics of their certificate field

This program emphasizes a Constructivist teaching philosophy that takes into consideration the prior knowledge and background of individual learners.  The program is based on best practices, is performance-based, and engages learners in research-based practices that will prepare professionals who are seeking National Board Certification.