Undergraduate Major
Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Arts with Grades PK-4 And Special Education PK-12 Certifications
Alvernia’s Early Childhood Education (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-12) Certifications dual major unlocks an unlimited career potential. The program prepares teachers for preschool through Grade 4 and special education teachers in public and private educational institutions. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The dual certification allows program graduates to work as:
• Elementary educators (preschool though Grade 4)
• Special education teachers and learning support specialists (preschool though Grade 12)
in public and private educational institutions.
Career Outlook
Dual Certification
The Early Childhood Education (PK-4) & Special Education dual certification allows program graduates to work as:
- Elementary educators (preschool through Grade 4)
- Special education teachers and learning support specialists (preschool though Grade 12)
in public and private educational institutions.
Unlimited Career Potential
This dual major unlocks an unlimited career potential by positioning prospective teachers to enter the field with competence and confidence. As an early childhood educator, you lay the foundation for literacy and foster a love of learning in young children. As a special education teacher, you make education accessible for all students.
Employment Data
Graduates can teach in preschool through Grade 4 and special education (PK-12) in public and private educational institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for special education teachers was $67,170 in 2025. Despite limited employment growth, about 37,100 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Career Support
Alvernia's Office of Career Development supports students and alumni in job searches and career planning. Its services include individual career advising; résumé, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews; interview preparation and practice; access to career information as well as internship and job opportunities; career fairs and networking connections; and graduate school application support.
Program Overview
- Application Instructions
Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Program Mission
PK-4 Program Mission
The PK-4 Program is built on a solid foundation of the principles of child development. It focuses on the whole child as it prepares highly-qualified, highly-effective candidates to meet the many and diverse needs of young children in a global society.
Special Education Program MissionThe Alvernia University Education Department, rooted in a proud Franciscan heritage, is dedicated to providing instruction in educational theory balanced with current best practices. The Special Education Program focuses on the high leverage practices of interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusivity within a legally and ethically responsible environment, designed to foster growth in all children and adolescents with identified learning needs in our schools today.
- Experiential Learning Opportunities
Field experiences, an integral part of the teacher preparation programs, include course-embedded fieldwork, pre-student teaching and student teaching.
- Accreditation Statements
- The Grades PK-4 teacher preparation program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Get To Know Your Faculty
For more information about Alvernia’s Adult Education Early Childhood Education program, contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu.
Molly Brobst R. Ed.D.
Elena Lawrick Ph.D.
Chrystine Mitchell Ph.D.
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