M.Ed. in Applied Studies in Teaching and Learning

Program Overview

This Master's program in Early and Middle Grades Education provides a comprehensive foundation in teaching theory and practice. Students engage in initial courses on teaching-learning and reflective teaching, followed by intermediate courses on learning and teaching perspectives, the American school system, and teacher leadership. They then choose an area of focused inquiry, culminating in courses on educational change and teacher research.

Program Outline

Outline:

Initial Courses

• EDE 532 Teaching-Learning: Theory to Practice (to be taken during first 15 hours of study)
• EDE 554 The Reflective Teacher: Examining Cultural Paradigms in the Contemporary Classroom (to be taken during first 15 hours of study)

Intermediate Courses

• EDE 556 Developmental Perspectives on Learning and Teaching
• EDF 583 The American School as Social Narrative
• EDE 563 Teachers as Leaders

Area of Focused Inquiry

Students complete a 6-credit area of focused inquiry, determined in consultation with an advisor. Some available areas include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Culturally responsive education
• Education for sustainability
• Inclusion/special education
• Literacy
• Teaching English as a second language
• Technology
• Open area: Students can propose their own focus areas based on personal interests and needs and available graduate-level offerings at West Chester University.
These areas would be developed with faculty in the student’s area of interest and approved by the Early and Middle Grades graduate coordinator. Workshop credits may not be used to satisfy requirements for the area of focused inquiry.

Culminating Courses