Combined Accelerated Studies in Education (CASE), MEd

The Combined Accelerated Studies in Education (CASE) program is a dual-certification, dual-degree program in the Pitt School of Education. Students complete prerequisite courses in the freshman and sophomore years, and then apply to transfer into the Pitt School of Education. Students work on their B.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology in the junior and senior years, then move directly onto the master’s in education program. Students are prepared for both the Pennsylvania PK-4 Early Childhood Education and PK-12 Special Education teacher certifications.

The CASE program spans over the Departments of Health and Human Development (HHD) and Teaching, Leading and Learning (TLL) in the School of Education. Students gain a deep knowledge of child and youth development, as well as methodology and best practices in the content areas of instruction. A social justice and equity focus in the CASE program supports students’ preparation for teaching in 21st-Century schools. Teacher certifications cannot be obtained until the completion of the graduate year of study.

Students are required to complete 127 credits of prerequisite and major courses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology. Students are then required to complete 40 credits in the graduate level major of Combined Study in Early Childhood and Special Education leading to the Master of Education degree.

Overall credits required for the MEd program: 40

Students are required to complete a comprehensive exam