Graduate Certificate in Early and Elementary Education

The Graduate Certificate in Early and Elementary Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University offers a streamlined, non-degree pathway to initial teacher certification for individuals who want to teach pre-K through grade four in Pennsylvania schools. Designed for those with a bachelor’s degree who are seeking a career change or alternate route into teaching, this certificate provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to support the developmental needs of young learners.

Through a focused sequence of coursework, you will develop effective instructional strategies for teaching core content areas—literacy, math, science and social studies—aligned with how young children learn and grow. You’ll also gain specialized training in supporting students with disabilities and English language learners, ensuring you are prepared to meet the needs of all students in inclusive classroom settings.

The program culminates in a full-time, supervised student teaching placement. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your learning in a real-world classroom, refine your teaching techniques and build confidence as a future educator.

Why study Early and Elementary Education in the College of Education and Human Development?

Graduates are well-prepared to teach in early childhood and primary grade classrooms and to support young children’s growth through engaging, equitable and responsive instruction. In the program, you will 

• learn to design and deliver instruction that supports the developmental and academic needs of children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade; 

• create nurturing, inclusive classroom environments that foster curiosity, exploration and early learning across all subject areas;

• develop strategies to support emergent literacy, foundational math and social-emotional growth in young learners; and

• adapt instruction for multilingual learners and students with disabilities through developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive practices.

Program Outcomes

You will be equipped to create nurturing, developmentally responsive learning environments that support exploration, early literacy and foundational skill development across subject areas. Through the curriculum, you will 

• develop a strong command of pre-K through grade four subject matter; 
• plan and deliver effective, developmentally appropriate instruction; and
• uphold standards of educator professionalism and ethics.

Program Format & Curriculum

The Early and Elementary Education Certificate program comprises 22 credits. Choose to complete the program on a full- or part-time basis. Most classes are scheduled in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.

You will complete the following required courses.

• Mathematics Education for the Early Years (3 credits)
• Social Studies Education for the Early Years (3 credits)
• Science Education for the Early Years (3 credits)
• Literacy Foundations for the Primary Grades (3 credits)
• Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
• Foundations of Language Teaching (3 credits)
• Supervised Teaching (4 credits)

Fieldwork 

In addition to state certification exams and student teaching, you must complete field experiences as part of your coursework. Field placements are designed to give you teaching experience working with children in educational settings. The majority of field experiences require students to spend seven full days over the course of a semester in the classroom. During the student teaching semester, students are required to spend every day in the classroom for 14 weeks.