Early Childhood Education (MEd)

Credential: Master of Education

Certification:  Students enrolled in the Certification Track are eligible for PA Instructional I Certification PreK-4 (Pennsylvania Department of Education). Students who are emergency certified in Pennsylvania should contact the Program Director for information on the Intern Certification Program. *

Location: Online

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

Program Overview: The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education program offers students with an earned bachelor’s degree the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills as a professional in their field. This program offers a pathway to Pennsylvania teacher certification for individuals enrolled in the certification track.  All coursework is offered in an online format which incorporates field placement opportunities within the student’s community. One semester (Student Teaching, 16 weeks) or one school year (Intern Certificate Program) must be completed in person within the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.

Program Mission Statement: The MEd in Early Childhood Education program trains students from a philosophical base which reflects a biblical worldview to serve the community in various early childhood settings. 

Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, 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. Design 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.

 

*Intern Certification Program: As part of the path towards certification, a student can enroll in the Intern Certification Program established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which is an alternative route to receiving certification through a “professional [intern] certificate that entitles the holder to fill a full-time professional teaching position” (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2025).   

Upon 1) completion of all program requirements and coursework, excluding EDU590, EDU591, EDU598, and EDU599, 2) passing required state certification tests, and 3) receiving the Intern Certificate from PDE, the student will be enrolled in the Intern Program at Lancaster Bible College. This allows the student to teach full-time while receiving monthly formal observations from a college supervisor instead of the traditional path of student teaching. After one school year with satisfactory ratings on all evaluations, the student will be recommended for Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification.

 

Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements

The MEd in Early Childhood Education program has two tracks: Track #1 - MEd with NO Certification and Track #2 - MEd with Certification.

Track #1 - MEd with NO Certification Curricular Structure	Credits
Biblical and Theological Foundations Course	3
Professional Core Courses	15
Program Courses	21
Program Total	39

 

Track #2 MEd with Certification Curricular Structure	Credits
Biblical and Theological Foundations Course	3
Professional Core Courses	15
Program Courses	36
Program Total	54

 

Biblical & Theological Foundation Course (3 credits)

This chart outlines how prior college-level credits in Bible and theology, as represented on a transcript, apply to the Biblical and Theological Foundations course requirement.

29 or less credits of Bible and theology	BTC 503 Foundations for Integration
30 or more credit of Bible and theology	Requirement satisfied

Professional Core Courses (15 credits)

EDU 519	Foundations & Framework for Learning	3
EDU 550	Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education	3
EDU 560	Teacher's Life and Work	3
EDU 598	Seminar in Action Research	3
EDU 599	Project in Action Research	3

 

Track #1 - NO Certification Program Courses (21 credits)

EDU 520	Foundations of Early Childhood Education	3
EDU 523	Theoretical Foundations of Development and Learning	3
EDU 524	Literacy Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom	3
EDU 526	Diagnostic Reading Assessment	3
EDU 530	Mathematics Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom	3
EDU 533	Pedagogy for the Content Areas	3
SEC 537	Technology for Teachers	3

 

Track #2 - With Certification Program Courses (36 credits)

EDU 520	Foundations of Early Childhood Education	3
EDU 523	Theoretical Foundations of Development and Learning	3
EDU 524	Literacy Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom	3
EDU 526	Diagnostic Reading Assessment	3
EDU 530	Mathematics Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom	3
EDU 533	Pedagogy for the Content Areas	3
SEC 537	Technology for Teachers	3
ESL 517	Language Foundations for Teachers	3
SPE 510	Practices for the Inclusionary Classroom	3
EDU 590	Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience	3
EDU 591	Student Teaching	6

Note: If eligible for the Intern Certification Program, EDU591, and potentially EDU590, are not applicable and therefore decrease the credit total by 6 or 9.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission Requirements

Admission into a master's degree program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC. 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 and take GWW 500 Graduate Writing Workshop in order to be fully admitted into the program.

Students wishing to take courses solely for personal enrichment or Act 48 credits are classified as non-degree students. Permission for enrollment in courses is based on completion of the Non-degree application and the adequacy of class space. If, at a later time, the student wishes to be admitted into the program, that student will need to go through the formal application process. Credit for courses taken while a non-degree student is not automatically applied to the degree program. The Program Coordinator will evaluate course work and count or not count credit on an individual basis.

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	Age of Transfer Credits	Min. Grade of Transfer Credits
MEd Early Childhood	39 cr. and 54 cr.	9 graduate credits	No more than 10 years	B

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 Student Teaching

1. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
2. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
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, excluding Action Research (EDU598/9)
7. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College

Eligibility to Enter Intern Certificate Program

1. Employed full-time (permanent position or long-term substitute) in the area of certification within the state of Pennsylvania
2. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
3. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
4. Completion of all graduate courses, excluding Student Teaching (EDU 590/EDU 591) and Action Research (EDU 598/EDU 599)
5. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PECT)
6. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College
7. Approved application in TIMS for Intern Certificate

Exit Criteria - Eligibility to be Recommended for Certification

1. Completion of all program requirements and field placement requirements. EDU 591 Student Teaching or Intern Program 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 of 3.0
5. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
6. Submitted application to TIMS for PA Teacher Certification
7. The recommendation of the LBC Certification Officer

 

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a graduate degree or certificate:

• Satisfactory completion of all course work
• A minimum cumulative GPA for 3.0
• A minimum grade of C+ in all courses
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations
• Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one’s lifestyle

Program Completion

The program must be completed in a maximum of five years. If a student wishes to temporarily withdraw from a program, the student must notify the Program Director in writing. If a student needs an extension to continue the program after the five years, a written request must be submitted to the advisor and Program Director.

Faculty

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

Dr. Angela Becker is currently an Assistant Professor and 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. Both 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 no matter the weather. 

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
Garrett Derr
Lyntel Murphy
Meredith Powell
Tracey Pritchard
Raluca Snyder