Early Elementary Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Program Type
Certificate
Est. Time to Complete
4 Years
School
School of the Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
Delivery Mode
On Campus
Transformative Teaching: The Pathway through Post-Baccalaureate Early Elementary Education Certification
The Post-Baccalaureate Early Elementary Education (PreK-4) certificate program provides students the opportunity to prepare for a career in teaching children at the Early Elementary level. Coursework on the cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children, language and literacy development of children from birth through age 9, teaching methods in content areas, as well as strategies for English Language Learners and students with special needs prepares students in the program with the knowledge required to become transformative classroom teachers and support their future students’ academic achievement.
Post-Baccalaureate certification programs are designed for students who have already completed a Bachelor’s of Science or Bachelor’s of Arts degree from an accredited college or university and wish to become eligible to obtain a teaching certification in the state of Pennsylvania. Because these students have previously completed an undergraduate degree program, each candidate’s application is individually evaluated to determine the coursework necessary to complete their teaching certification program.
Program Update Notice
Under Act 47 of 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is implementing new educator certification grade spans, replacing the current Early Elementary (PreK–4) instructional certificate with a Primary (PreK–6) instructional certificate.
York College’s current PreK–4 Early Elementary Education program will continue to serve admitted students while PDE finalizes competencies and approval processes for the new certification grade span. York College of Pennsylvania is actively preparing for this transition and will begin offering the new PreK–6 Primary Education program upon PDE approval, which is anticipated prior to PDE's July 1, 2028 deadline.
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Related Programs
Early Elementary Education/Special Education
In this dual program at York College, you’ll complete a double major in Early Elementary Education and Special Education. As you learn about educational theory and gain hands-on practice, you’ll develop an appreciation for the differences your future students may bring to the classroom. And you’ll build the skills needed to support each of them, including those with special needs and English language learners.
Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
York College of Pennsylvania’s online Post-Baccalaureate Special Education (PreK-12) certificate program provides students the opportunity to prepare for a career in teaching children with a variety of special needs from grades PreK through grade 12.
Secondary Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
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