Early Education (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-12) Degree
Significantly Enhance the Value of Your Teaching Degree as a Dual Major
Today’s classrooms include students with many different learning styles and educational requirements. That’s why it’s so important for today’s teachers to be prepared to effectively support all their students, including those with special education needs.
As a dual major in Early Education (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-12), you can:- Earn your PreK-12 Special Education certification in addition to your Early Education PreK-4 teacher certification
- Prepare to better respond to the educational needs of all students in your classroom
- Significantly enhance the value of your degree
- Complete all required coursework within four years!
Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.
Exciting News! The Pennsylvania Department of Education has waived the requirement to pass a Basic Skills assessment in order to pursue Teacher Certification. Read more under Teacher Certification Pathways below.
Program Details
At GMercyU, we have been helping students become the teachers they’re meant to be for more than 60 years. You will have access to expert faculty and resources as you develop your teaching and classroom management skills.
Gwynedd Mercy University teachers are difference makers. They carry the GMercyU values of integrity, respect, service, and social justice into their classrooms to transform students into not only lifelong learners, but good people. Learn more below.
You will be placed in a classroom as early as the second week of September of your freshman year!
Our Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) helps you gain first-hand insight into how the real world of education works before taking your turn at the head of the class.
In all, you will spend 8 semesters in actual classrooms. Your final two semesters will be dedicated to pre-student teaching and student teaching experiences where you can take your turn at the head of the class.
While it is important to be knowledgeable about your curriculum, it is also important to develop your personal teaching style for the classroom. Through GMercyU's hands-on approach, you will learn effective classroom management styles, an array of communication methods, and will be able to handle conflicts within the classroom. Our real-world approach to teaching will prepare you to better understand your students in a dynamic setting.
*Please note, Education students must provide their own transportation to and from their various field experiences.
No matter your major, all GMercyU classes are taught by full-time or part-time faculty members – no teaching assistants. In fact, the professors in our Education Programs have more than 130 years of combined experience as educators!
As an Early Education major, your support includes:
- A personal advisor who will guide you through all four years.
- Field Placement Coordinator, Dr. Cheryl Malfi, who will help ensure that you have a successful student teaching experience.
- A Certification and Placement Specialist. Once on the teacher certification track, Dr. Pat McAleer will ensure you meet all requirements to become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania.
Education Degree Program – Teacher Certification Update
To help address the national teacher shortage, the Basic Skills requirements for candidates entering teacher preparation programs have been waived. This means incoming Education majors do not need to pass a Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Skills assessment prior to entering a teacher certification track. Here is the information from Dr. Kerry Helm, Pennsylvania Department of Education:
Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.
Students are still required to meet the 3.0 GPA requirement, as described below.
Transfer Students admitted to the University with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and at least 48 credits will be admitted directly into the Teacher Certification track of their choice.
All Other Admitted Students, including incoming freshmen will enter as Education Studies majors. They will be eligible to enter a Certification track once they have earned between 48 and 60 credits with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. Students will work with their respective advisors to monitor this progress.
With the signing of this waiver into law, students who aspire to be teachers will have a smoother path to a Certification track during the approved waiver period. Incoming students will work with the Program Coordinator to pursue that path.
An essential part of becoming a certified teacher in Pennsylvania is passing the required Pennsylvania Department of Education tests.
At GMercyU, we will help you prepare for these tests. Not only will you work closely with your advisor, but our Student Success Center provides many opportunities to help you prepare for these tests, including a series of basic skills workshops, a computer program to practice for the tests, private one-on-one tutoring, and a variety of materials for you to take and prepare on your own.
Founded by Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Education Deb Schadler, PhD, the Autism Institute focuses on scientifically research-based best practices for supporting students on the Autism spectrum.
GMercyU's Autism Institute provides research-based best practices for students, as well as teachers and administrators, parents of children on the autism spectrum and any interested community members through resources and services such as the annual Autism Conference. You will be able to take the best-practices learned and apply them directly to your own classroom.
Gain leadership skills, grow professionally, and make friends by getting involved!
Education Outreach Club
Its mission is to provide an opportunity for those with a passion for helping the community to come together to learn, collaborate, and share educational experiences. This club offers its members the option to connect with professionals, participate in educational and social events, and volunteer. Being a member of this club will promote understanding, education, and best practices for the GMercyU community.
Best Buddies
Our Best Buddies chapter matches GMercyU students with members of the community who have Intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosts monthly events, and participates in fundraisers.
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
It is the oldest and largest honor society in education. Invitations to join are based on academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures the member’s steady growth in the field of education.
In addition to general education requirements, you will complete the following courses for an early education degree:
Core Courses: 75 Credits
| EDU 100 | Education in America |
| EDU 216 | Foundations of Teaching & Learning Pre K-4 |
| EDU 223 | Teaching Life, Phys., Earth and Space Science |
| EDU 224 | Teaching Social Studies Pre K-4 |
| EDU 226 | Reading Sequence I – Foundations of Early Literacy Research |
| EDU 227 | Math Methods for Pre K-4 |
| EDU 228 | Art and Humanities |
| EDU 229 | Reading Sequence II – Lang. Dev. & Early Literacy, Instruction & Assessment |
| EDU 309 | Technology Integration in Education Pre K-8 |
| EDU 314 | Instruction & Assessment |
| EDU 316 | Reading Literacy Instruction, Assessment & Intervention |
| EDU 351 | Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners |
| SPE 205 | Exceptional Person |
| SPE 231 | Mild/Moderate Disabilities in the Inclusionary Setting |
| SPE 232 | Students with Complex Needs in the Educational Setting |
| SPE 331 | Implementing Inclusionary Practices for Mild/Moderate Poplulation |
| SPE 332 | Research-Based Practices in the Assessment and Instruction of Students |
| EDU 414 | Classroom Management for Pre K-4 |
| EDU 415 | Pre-Student Teaching Pre K-8 |
| EDU 498 | Student Teaching Pre K-8 (Capstone, 12 Credits) |
| EDU 416 |
Culturally Responsive Classroom |
| EDU 106 |
Family, Sch., Comm. Connections |
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 120 credits is required for a bachelor’s degree in early education.
This program requires a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, and certain immunizations and other health-related clearances in order to participate in all field experiences.
Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your early childhood education degree by adding an undergraduate minor that best meets your personal and professional goals.
Wondering what your courses will look like? Here are just a couple of the classes you’ll take as a dual major in Early Education and Special Education.
EDU 309 Technology Integration in Education PreK-8
In this course, students will become familiar with the PDE Standards of Science and Technology as well as the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for both teachers and students. Students will design lesson plans and learning activities that integrate technology from Pre K to Grade 8. Students will be introduced to the various tools of technology including assistive technologies for students with special needs. The use of technology for assessment, management and other administrative procedures will also be addressed.
SPE 331 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Methods for Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Applications of fundamental concepts for teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities are presented. Students will examine norm-referenced, criterion-referenced and curriculum-based instruments and procedures for assessing and diagnosing students who are experiencing learning and behavior problems in school. Students will conduct curriculum-based assessments to identify students' academic strengths and weaknesses. Students will also learn to create an environment conducive to learning through an applied behavior analysis perspective.
EDU 414 Classroom Management for PreK-4
This course is designed to prepare teacher candidates to understand and use provisions and procedures needed to create and maintain an environment in which effective teaching and learning can occur. Various discipline models will be introduced.
For all Early Childhood Education and Special Education course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.
Deb Schadler, PhD, CPCRT, PRSE
Position: Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Student Success & Retention Initiatives
Did You Know? Dr. Schadler is also the Director of GMercyU’s Autism Institute. She has developed and taught GMercyU’s undergraduate special education curriculum.
Read bio
Cheryl Malfi, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor & Field Placement Coordinator
Did You Know? Dr. Malfi was an elementary school teacher for 13 years, an elementary principal for 18 years, and a Director of Elementary Education and Federal Projects for four years.
Read bio
Patrick McAleer, EdD
Position: Certification and Placement Specialist, Adjunct Professor
Did You Know? Prior to GMercyU, Dr. McAleer spent 33 years as a teacher and administrator in the Pitman (NJ) Public Schools, including 11 years as Superintendent of Schools.
Read bio
How We Develop Exceptional Teachers
Hear from GMercyU faculty and an Education major.
Meet Toni, an Education Major
Meet more students — watch GMercyU's episode of The College Tour!
Career Opportunities
Early childhood education is a field where educators care for and teach children of a young age. Typical ages of children within early childhood education include children from birth until about 8 years of age. This type of education is important since early childhood education teachers help to shape a child's education from the start and can set a precedent for them to succeed later in life.
Early childhood education encompasses teaching fine and gross motor skills, cognitive learning, and social development for children.
Once you have an early childhood education degree, you have a variety of career that you can choose to pursue depending on your specific interests. Some early childhood education jobs include elementary school teacher, school counselor, pre-school teacher, daycare manager, or in-home nanny.
There are numerous locations where you can choose to work within the early childhood education field. Elementary schools, daycares, private homes or specialty care centers are all possible workplaces. A degree in early childhood education can unlock various potential career paths for you in a variety of locations.
According to the Pennsylvania State Education Association, there's been an increase in 96% increase in emergency teaching certificates in Pennsylvania — and a 50% drop in teacher preparation program enrollment in Pennsylvania — during the last 10 years.
The PSEA also reports that between 2012-2013 and 2012-2023, the number of newly certified teachers in Pennsylvania dropped by 73%.
In these districts and more, GMercyU students have recently completed student teaching and landed teaching positions after graduation:
- Abington School District
- Bensalem School District
- Central Bucks School District
- Colonial School District
- Council Rock School District
- Hatboro-Horsham School District
- Lower Moreland School District
- MAST Charter School
- Methacton School District
- Neshaminy School District
- North Penn School District
- Perkiomen Valley School District
- Philadelphia School District
- Phoenixville School District
- Springfield School District
- St. Malachy School
- Upper Dublin School District
- Upper Moreland School District
- Wissahickon School District
In 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for elementary school teachers in the Philadelphia area was $76,730.
The median annual wage for special education teachers was $65,910 with the top 10% earning more than $106,290.
According to this report from Businesswire.org, Pennsylvania and California teachers are top earners in the country. In Pennsylvania, teachers can expect to earn 28.5% more than the average teacher salary.
Julia Bates '25
“I love the small class sizes, as I can receive a more authentic learning experience with professors who listen and guide rather than just transmitting information as many other college professors do when teaching”
Read more about Julia's GMercyU experience.
Sierrah Wiszneski '24
“I absolutely loved how GMercyU gives Education students the opportunity to get out in the field every Wednesday for every semester, as soon as your first semester! I think it is such a great opportunity and really helps students to see so many different schools, settings, classrooms, teaching styles, etc.... By the time I graduate from GMercyU, I will have had field experience working with children all the way from grade Pre-K through fourth grade, where I worked with students of both special and general education.”
Read more about Sierrah’s GMercyU experience.
Alexis Howard '20
Second Grade Teacher in Abington School District
"Throughout my time at GMercyU, the one thing we were taught time and time again was flexibility. As a teacher, you must be flexible with your schedule and planning to meet your students’ needs."
Read more about Alexis' GMercyU experience.
Meet more Education majors and alumni.
I think [the TAP program] is such a great opportunity and really helps students to see so many different schools, settings, classrooms, teaching styles, etc. ... By the time I graduate from GMercyU, I will have had field experience working with children all the way from grade Pre-K through 4th grade, where I worked with students of both special and general education.
—Sierrah Wiszneski '24
Next Steps
Have you already earned college-level credits at another institution? GMercyU makes it easy for you to transfer — learn how on our Transfer Admissions page.
You can also explore our agreements with area schools on our Transfer Your Credits page, and check out our guaranteed scholarships for transfer students.
Have questions about GMercyU's admission requirements? Our Admissions staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying to GMercyU’s Early Education Program.
Email: admissions@jnkjdc.com
Phone: 215-641-5510
At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs.
GMercyU’s Early Education program is one of the best teacher education programs in Pennsylvania. Earn your early childhood education degree and start your teaching journey!
Scholarships
Gwynedd Mercy University is grateful to offer multiple scholarships just for students majoring in an Education program, thanks to generous donations from our community.
Funding for Student Teachers
Student teachers may be eligible for a new Pennsylvania state stipend during your placement. Your professors will provide information about the program and assistance in applying for the program.
