All three areas of concentration are designed to strengthen those skills and competencies necessary for effective classroom teaching. In addition, the specialized programs are designed to assist those teachers who desire to become curriculum specialists or who wish to extend their expertise into such areas as program development, research, and educational leadership. Also, the Department of Elementary Education and Early Childhood has a cooperative program in which students are able to take courses at Slippery Rock University that will count toward a doctoral degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The following courses are required for all of the Master of Education degrees.
All courses are three credit hours.
The Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education is a 30 credit-hour program designed to assist elementary teachers who desire to become curriculum specialists or wish to become more proficient in this area. A maximum of two electives are required and chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. The required courses for the Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education are below. All courses are three credits hours. The Master of Education degree in elementary mathematics and science is a 30 credit-hour program designed to assist elementary teachers in becoming forerunners in the instruction of elementary mathematics and science through special emphasis on the integration of the two areas.