WCU Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Education
A new and unique educational credential has emerged at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Thanks to the pioneering work of the Institute for Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship (3e Institute). WCU’s College of Education now offers a 12 credit graduate certificate in Entrepreneurial Education for educators who meet its requirements.
Dr. Joseph Malak, Dean of the College of Education cites the program as an exemplary model of program sustainability: “The 3E Institute originated under a grant from the U. S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education. It developed a concept and refined its model over a period of six years of course and program development. With the new graduate certificate we have institutionalized our 3E commitment to helping educators inspire, innovate, collaborate and connect to the world outside the classroom.”
Educators enrolled in the 3E Institute courses learn how to build their own entrepreneurial skills, act as change agents and teach using problem based learning, cutting edge technologies, real world experience and other innovative methods to turn students on to learning and career opportunities of the 21st Century. Course titles include Teachers as Leaders, Entrepreneurial Education, Quantitative Literacy, Emerging Science and Technologies, 21st Century Educator Externship, and Applied Learning Seminar.
The certificate may be used as a focus of inquiry toward a masters degree. It also adds to the portfolio of a developing teacher leader. According to Dr. Connie DiLucchio, who teaches the Teachers as Leaders course, “Teachers who take a couple of 3E courses understand and embrace 3E’s underlying premises – solving problems in innovative ways and tapping the rich informational and human resources of the community to help students learn. They especially appreciate 3E courses for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators and to experience professional development that goes beyond teacher training, beyond ‘make and take.’”
The first certificates in Entrepreneurial Education will be awarded this fall. And innovative, entrepreneurial-spirited educators are eager to claim them. Five teachers are planning to complete their course work this summer – Nancy Baulis and Stanley Morgan of the School District of Philadelphia, Andre Clarke of Cheltenham School District, Patrick Parris of the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, and Patricia Pullin of Interboro School District.
Congratulations to the first cohort! And a word of encouragement to those who will join them in the months and years ahead. For more information about the 3E Institute and the WCU graduate certificate in Entrepreneurial Education visit www.3einstitute.org or call 610-738-0583.