Distance Education

Online Certificate Programs

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ESL Program Specialist Certificate

The ESL Program Specialist Certificate (18 Credits) is offered both online and face-to-face, and is designed to qualify pre-certified teachers to teach ESL in Pennsylvania public schools, in cases where a primary teaching certification is already in place at the time of application to the program. Therefore, applicants should have previously student taught and earned formal (stand-alone) certification from the PDE in another area before entering this program. Applicants are required to first earn Instructional I certification in an alternate subject area (e.g., K-12 Spanish or French, Secondary English, Social Studies) recognized by the PDE in order to apply for the necessary qualification for teaching ESL in the public schools in Pennsylvania.

Candidates are required to take 18 credit hours of graduate-level coursework to develop their knowledge bases in the area of second language (L2) teaching, assessment, ESL curriculum development, sociolinguistics, and the structure of English. The program includes 60 hours of supervised field experiences as candidates teach on-site and interact in area ESL classrooms.

For further program information contact Dr. Esther Smidt, Program Director of TESOL, at

CSmidt@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Adapted Physical Education

The Graduate Certificate in Adapted Physical Education (18 credits) is designed to meet the Adapted Physical Education National Standards for Competency in Teaching Adapted Physical Education in the public schools. Six 3 credit courses make up the program. The coursework is based on the 12 Adapted Physical Education National Standards for Competency in Teaching Adapted Physical Education and the application of these standards to practice in the field of physical education. The coursework prepares students with the minimum background, skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to sit for the APENS national exam.

The certificate program is 100% web based instruction and will consist of formation of online presentations, webinars, web based lectures, collaborative and curricular integration activities, and alternative activities designed to enhance professional development in the field of adapted physical education.

For further program information contact Dr. Kat Ellis at

MEllis@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Applied Mindfulness

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Mindfulness (12 credits) is designed to offer professionals the training to achieve basic competence in the development and delivery of mindfulness-based programs in health care, mental healthcare, education, and other disciplines. This program is directed to students enrolled in professional graduate programs, and to professionals who wish to integrate mindfulness practices into their personal and professional lives.

For further program information contact Dr. Dr. Donald McCown, Assistant Professor in the College of Health Sciences, at

DMcCown@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology

The Educational Technology Certificate (12 credits) provides technology-supported learning experiences that promote and enable the use of technology to improve learning, assessment, and instructional practices. This certificate supports and develops educator identities as fluent users of advanced technology, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and adaptive, socially aware experts. It addresses the goals of the National Educational Technology Plan and includes access to information during and after the program, using social networking, and collaborative projects.

For further program information contact Dr. Matthew J. Kruger-Ross, Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, at

MKruger-Ross@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (12 Credits) is an ideal program for professionals and students seeking training in the field of aging. This 100% online 12-credit interdisciplinary curriculum is taught by faculty experts from social work, nutrition, health, nursing and kinesiology.  West Chester University is a member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). AGHE and it's members are committed to the well being of older adults and strive to prepare service delivery personnel who will work directly with older adults.

For further program information contact Dr. Angela Lavery, Graduate Certificate Coordinator, at

ALavery@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The GIS Certificate (12 credits) is an online certificate designed for novices as well as experienced GIS professionals to expand technology skills and knowledge in this rapidly emerging field. Students gain practical experience using cutting edge technology in a range of applications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has identified geo-spatial technology as a "high-growth" industry suitable for professionals in planning business marketing, natural resource management and local government.

For further program information contact Dr. Gary Coutu, Graduate Coordinator, at

GCoutu@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The Graduate Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (12 Credits) Professionals with an understanding of Industrial/Organizational Psychology principles continue to be in high demand in the workplace. West Chester University is excited to announce a new online certificate program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Students in the program can acquire business, leadership, and psychology skills to help them advance their career in management or human resources.

In the certificate program, individuals interested in the scientific study of employees and organizations will learn to apply psychology to the workplace, use research methods to solve problems, and improve quality of work life.

Students will explore topics such as workplace motivation and attitudes; employee selection, training, and evaluation; leadership, group and organizational behavior; organizational culture and change management; people analytics and human resource management. Graduates from this I/O certificate program can help drive positive change in organizations, motivate teams, increase employee productivity.

For further program information contact Dr. Vipanchi Mishra, Graduate Coordinator of the General MS, Industrial/Organizational MS Graduate Programs, Associate Professor of Psychology at

VMishra@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management

The Certificate in Human Resource Management (12 credits) will advance your skills in the field of human resources. The program is designed for both HR and non-HR professionals across industries and organizational types, and is available 100% online. The 12-credit program is structured to develop core skills in critical areas of HR management including employment and labor relations; compensation and benefits; employee and labor relations; ethics; global human resources; human resource metrics; leadership and change management; and workforce planning.

For more information about this program, please contact hrm@wcupa.edu. 

Graduate Certificate in Public Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (12 credits) is an online program designed for persons who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills. To earn the certificate, students must complete the 18-semester hour administrative core (PPA 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505) with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. Degree students in the MPA General Concentration may also apply for the certificate after completing the stated requirements.

For more information about this program, please contact mpa@wcupa.edu.

Graduate Health Care Management Certificate

The Graduate Health Care Management Certificate (18 credits) is designed to provide advanced study of issues, trends, and topics in health care management. This 100% online program addresses legal aspects of health care, approaches to the U.S. delivery system, advocacy and quality of health care services, technology and information management, and strategic leadership.

For further program information contact Dr. Harry Holt, MPH Health Care Management Program Coordinator, and Assistant Professor, at

HHolt@wcupa.edu

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Graduate Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology

The Certificate in Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technologies (18 credits) provides professionals, parents, and other community members instruction and training in assessment, pedagogy, and technology that support students that relay on UDL and AT for learning.

For further program information contact Dr. S. Christy Hicks, Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator, at

SHicks@wcupa.edu

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Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Special Education Online Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Special Education Online Program (24-30 Credits) is open to any student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an expressed interest in working with children with disabilities. When pursuing special education certification, applicants must have either completed or be working towards completion of a dual certification in an approved area of study (PreK-4, 4-8 and/or Secondary Area Content in English, Math, Science, or Social Studies), but may concurrently take courses in Special Education towards certification. Given the size of the exceptional student population served in our schools, the range of educational services required, and changes in federal law, special education teachers are still on "high need" hire lists.

For further program information contact Dr. S. Christy Hicks, Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator, at

SHicks@wcupa.edu

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