2024-2025 Capital Seminary & Graduate School Catalog

Post Baccalaureate PDE Certification in Early Childhood Education

Credential: This program does not lead to a master's degree.

Certification: Students are eligible for PA Instructional I Certification PreK-4 (Pennsylvania Department of Education)

Location: Online

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

 

Program Overview: This program offers a pathway to Pennsylvania teacher certification for individuals who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in any field.  All coursework is offered in an online format which incorporates field placement opportunities within the student’s community.  One semester (Student Teaching, 16 weeks) must be completed in person within the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.

Program Mission Statement : The Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Early Childhood Education program trains students from a philosophical base which reflects a biblical worldview, to serve the community as teachers in public and private schools. 

Program Outcomes: As a result of this program, the students will: 

1. Integrate knowledge of content, pedagogy, resources and learners to design coherent learning experiences that are aligned with outcomes and that reach all learners. 
2. Implement safe, equitable, learning-focused environments developed through appropriate rapport between student and teacher, responsiveness to the needs and cultures of all learners, and effective classroom management techniques in an organized physical environment. 
3. Demonstrate effective instructional practices as characterized by a) clear verbal, nonverbal, and media communication b) reflective and responsive teaching using multiple instructional strategies, c) implementation of a variety of assessment measures, and d) engagement of students in higher level thinking and learning.
4. Demonstrate professionalism by a) adhering to ethical, institutional and legal guidelines, b) maintaining accurate records, c) seeking opportunities to grow professionally, d) reflecting on his/her own practice, and e) collaborating with colleagues, parents, and the community to ensure learner growth and advance the profession.
5. Demonstrate a biblical worldview in his/her personal and professional life.

Curricular Structure and Program Requirements (42 credits)

EDU 519Foundations & Framework for Learning

3

EDU 520Foundations of Early Childhood Education

3

EDU 523Theoretical Foundations of Development and Learning

3

EDU 524Literacy Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom

3

EDU 526Diagnostic Reading Assessment

3

EDU 530Mathematics Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom

3

EDU 533Pedagogy for the Content Areas

3

EDU 550Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education

3

EDU 590Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience

3

EDU 591Student Teaching

6

SEC 537Technology for Teachers

3

ESL 520Instruction and Assessment for the English Learner

3

SPE 510Practices for the Inclusionary Classroom

3

 

Admission, Retention, and Completion

Admission Requirements

Admission into a post bacc program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC | Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog. Graduate students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted to the program under provisional status with Program Coordinator approval. In provisional admittance status, the student must maintain a 3.0 in the first 12 credits of the program in order to be fully admitted into the program.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.

Graduate Program Program Credits  # of Transfer Credits  Min. Grade of Transfer Credits 
Post-Bacc Early Childhood  42 cr.  9 graduate credits 

Academic Advising

Students will be assigned a student success coach to monitor student progress and to provide encouragement through their studies. Student success coaches are available for in-person and email meetings. Students will receive and have access to the Handbook for policies and procedures. Additionally, the handbook contains advisement sheets. The Program Director will monitor student progress each semester and alert the student and the student success coach regarding any deficiencies to be addressed and criteria not being met.

Retention

Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Eligibility to enter Pre Student Teaching

1. Successful formal admission and retention in the Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Early Childhood Education Program
2. Minimum GPA=3.0
3. Renewed Child Abuse, Criminal Record, and Fingerprinting Clearances (within 6 months)
4. TB test (within 6 months)
5. Proof of Liability Insurance
6. Completion of all graduate courses
7. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College

 

Exit Criteria

Eligibility to be Recommended for Certification 

1. Completion of all program requirements and field placement requirements. EDU 591 Student Teaching must be completed within the state of Pennsylvania in order to be eligible for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification.
2. A minimum of a satisfactory rating (1) in each of the 4 categories on the Pennsylvania Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430). There must be 2 final forms. A minimum total of at least 4 points must be achieved on the final summative rating in order to be recommended for certification. The PDE 430 is completed by the college supervisor.
3. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PECT)
4. Minimum Cumulative GPA=3.0
5. Submitted application to TIMS for PA Teacher Certification
6. The recommendation of the LBC Certification Officer

 

Faculty

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

Dr. Angela Becker is currently an Assistant Professor and Global Program Coordinator for the MEd and Post-Baccalaureate certification programs in Early Childhood Education and Health & Physical Education. Before coming to LBC | Capital, Dr. Becker taught kindergarten and second grade in York County, PA, followed by serving in Kenya as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a Language and Education Consultant for 2 years. Both of these experiences are a testament to God's faithfulness when we remain open-handed with a willing heart to follow His leading and have been instrumental in shaping her role within the Education Department as she seeks to be part of the exceptional team mentoring future educators for the glory of God.
When not immersed in the world of higher education, Dr. Becker enjoys being with her husband and three children doing whatever fun activities they can explore together inside or outside of the house. They especially enjoy reading, baking, coloring/painting, going for walks and bike rides, swimming, playing at the playground, spending time with family/friends, and being outside as much as possible. 

Education:
EdD in Educational Psychology, Regent University
MEd in Teaching and Curriculum, Penn State University
BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Grove City College

 

 
 Faculty

Angela Becker, EdD
Robin Bronkema, PhD
Robert Dodson, EdD
Christine Kirkpatrick, EdD
Stacey Martin, EdD  

Adjunct Faculty
Brian Barnhart
Tina Barnhart
Garrett Derr
Lyntel Murphy
Meredith Powell
Tracey Pritchard
Raluca Snyder