Early Childhood Education | Childhood/Special Education
Teach anyone, anywhere.
Mercyhurst University’s Department of Education is grounded in a commitment to social justice and academic rigor. Students interested in pursuing teaching can choose between three options of programming: Early Childhood Education (PreK-4), Special Education (PreK-12), or our most popular program that includes a dual certification, Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)/Special Education (PreK-12).
Specialize in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) to teach children at the elementary level, or in Special Education (PreK-12), to meet the needs of all learners, including students with special needs, in today’s diverse classrooms. Both of these nationally recognized and state certified programs focus on evidence-based practice and clinical, hands-on experiences that sets us apart from other education programs. It is our mission to develop educators who are versed in best theories and practices and instilled with an empathetic awareness and passion for today’s complex learning environment.
Fast Facts
- Education majors in good academic standing can join the award-winning university chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. KDP members can apply for competitive scholarships, have funded research opportunities, and participate in service-learning outreach.
- Our students can join the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which connects Mercyhurst students and local young adults with disabilities with professional and social opportunities, like the region’s annual Special Olympics.
- 4+1 accelerated degree options are available for Mercyhurst Education majors to earn their master's degree in just one additional year of study, with popular options including Secondary Education and Special Education and Applied Disability Studies.
Coursework in the PreK-12 Special Education with PreK-4 Early Childhood major consists of intense study of theories and best practices in the special and general education fields. Over 750 clinical hours providing valuable experience in the field enhance the 85 hours of rigorous coursework in Special and Early Childhood Education. This, accompanied by a diverse liberal arts core curriculum, creates dynamic and skilled educators ready to work in a variety of settings.
Coursework in the Early Childhood Education PreK-4 major consists of intense study of theories and best practices in early childhood education. Over 450 clinical hours providing valuable experience in the field enhance the 74 hours of intense coursework in Special and Early Childhood education. This, accompanied by a diverse and rigorous liberal arts core curriculum, produces dynamic and skilled educators ready to work in a variety of settings.
Coursework in the Special Education PreK-12 major qualifies students to teach in multiple and diverse settings, including early childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms. Specialized course instruction is paired with unique clinical experiences so that students become well-versed in the theory and practice of teaching students with disabilities. Dedicated faculty with years of experience in the field of Special Education guide and supervise student learning both in clinical experiences and student teaching. Students are encouraged to double major or minor in a related field.
Education majors have a unique opportunity through Mercyhurst’s flexible and student-centered core curriculum. We are proud to provide coursework designed to foster well-rounded educators through hands-on learning. Adding a double major or a minor in another area can also increase marketability. Compatible double majors/minors include:
Applied Sociology
Art Education
Art Therapy
Criminal Justice
Music Education
Nursing
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Psychology
Social Work
Mercyhurst offers a 23-credit minor in Special Education PreK-12. Students supplement their major fields with courses and clinical experiences designed to provide opportunities for learning in both broad-based and focused areas of student interest in educational research, theory, and practice. These curriculum offerings enable students to develop and demonstrate the professional qualities, attitudes, and critical performance skills considered essential for successful teaching of exceptional children from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
The Department of Education offers a five-year accelerated program that includes a bachelor’s degree in any field and a master's degree in Secondary Education. This 4+1 program, which is open to all majors, allows students to complete their chosen undergraduate degree in 4 years and spend their fifth year completing the final credits of their graduate study. This program is designed to enhance career credentials and opportunities with a more affordable cost for an advanced degree. The M.S. in Secondary Education is a completely online program, allowing further flexibility.
The Department of Education offers a five-year accelerated program that includes a bachelor’s degree in any field and a master's degree in Special Education and Disability Studies. This 4+1 program, which is open to all majors, allows students to complete their chosen undergraduate degree in 4 years and spend their fifth year completing the final credits of their graduate study. This program is designed to enhance career credentials and opportunities with a more affordable cost for an advanced degree.
Educators with English as a Second Language certification are in high demand. Mercyhurst’s Department of Education allows students to become certified in English as a Second Language (ESL) K-12 by adding a six-course program to their undergraduate studies.
Learning Outcomes
- Create and facilitate a quality lesson plan
- Articulate a personal teaching philosophy statement
- Assess Pre-4 Early Childhood and Pre-12 Special Education student performance
- Demonstrate personal ethical and professional standards in a school setting
- Plan for and implement differentiated instruction for students with special needs in PreK-4 Early Childhood and PreK-12 Special Education
- Demonstrate knowledge of best practices associated with child development, teaching, and learning in a PreK-4 Early Childhood and PreK-12 population
The summary pass rate is the percentage of students who passed all appropriate tests (e.g., content, content pedagogy, pedagogy, etc.), they took for their area(s) of specialization among those who took one or more tests in their specialization areas.
| Group | Number taking tests | Number passing tests | Pass rate (%) | State average pass rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All program completers, 2023-24 | 35 | 27 | 77% | 73% |
| All program completers, 2022-23 | 40 | 32 | 80% | 77% |
| All program completers, 2021-22 | 50 | 36 | 72% | 70% |
Phillip J. Belfiore, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Professor of Education,
The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Office: Hirt 300B
Meet the Faculty
Maria Garase
Dean, The School of Social & Behavioral Sciences; Associate Professor, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Phillip Belfiore
Department Chair, Education; Program Director; Graduate Special Education, Professor
Amy Bauschard
Instructor of Early Childhood Education, Director, Mercyhurst Early Learning Innovation Academy
