The University of Pittsburgh School of Education offers two program options in Elementary Education at the post-baccalaureate level, and a new 5-year undergraduate program option (Applied Developmental Psychology-Plus Elementary Education).
Undergraduate Option
The Applied Developmental Psychology-Plus program option is designed for students who already know they want to become an elementary teacher when they enter the University. Those who choose this program option graduate with a degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and continue for a fifth year to complete an Elementary Education Certification plus another certification of their choosing from amoung a menu of options. Students who successfully complete this program must pass relevant sections of a
national exam (PRAXIS I and II) to be eligible to apply for a Pennsylvania Instructional I certification in Elementary Education and other areas chosen for certification. Please visit the Applied Developmental Psychology program web site for more specific information.
Post-Baccalaureate Options
If a student chooses one of the post-baccalaureate options, he/she may choose any undergraduate major and complete prerequisite courses required for admission. The program options include the Professional Year (PY) certification-only option, or the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) certification plus masters degree program. Students who successfully complete either the PY or MAT programs must pass relevant sections of a national exam (PRAXIS I and II) to be eligible to apply for a Pennsylvania
Instructional I certification in Elementary Education.
All Elementary Education program options provide quality teaching placements in urban and suburban schools. These placements are made in consultation with the Field Placement Director after candidates have been accepted into any of the programs.
For those people who have successfully completed the Professional Year (PY) program, and those who have completed the undergraduate Elementary Certification program, there are Masters of Education (MEd) program options.
Elementary Education Checklist - printable document which includes general information, prerequisites for MAT and PY program options, curriculum, and masters degree requirements. Applied Developmental Psychology-Plus program details are found at the link referenced above.
Certificates
- Elementary Education Instructional I Certificate (Professional Year) - PA State Teaching Certification - This program prepares qualified liberal arts and sciences graduates for initial certification in elementary education. It is completed in two terms.
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Master's Degree + PA State Teaching Certification - This comprehensive program prepares qualified liberal arts and sciences graduates for initial certification in elementary education and a masters degree. It is completed in 12 months beginning in June of the admission year.
Degrees
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Master's Degree + PA State Teaching Certification - This comprehensive program prepares qualified liberal arts and sciences graduates for initial certification in elementary education and a masters degree. It is completed in 12 months beginning in June of the admission year.
- Master of Education (MEd) - 36-credit generalist Elementary masters degree program. It is designed for candidates who have completed a teacher certification and would like to complete a masters degree.
- MEd with Reading and Special Education Concentrations - 36-credit Elementary masters degree program of which 12 credits are in Reading and 12 credits are in Special Education. It is designed for candidates who completed a teacher certification and would like a masters degree and additional coursework in reading and special education.
- Masters of Education for Professional Year Students - 18-credit program that can be completed part-time in 3 years. Students are given 18 credits from their Professional Year program toward the 36-credit degree.
Contact Information
School of Education Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management
5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
230 S. Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
PHONE: 412-648-2230
FAX: 412-648-1899
EMAIL: soeinfo@pitt.edu
ONLINE (preferred): Inquiry Form
APPLICATION: Admissions Application
