Good teachers change lives. It's that simple. ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥'s Master of Education programs hold the highest standards of academic excellence as they prepare caring, highly qualified candidates who are uniquely positioned to address various needs of the diverse populations in today's schools.


The Education Department, rooted in a proud Franciscan heritage, is dedicated to providing instruction in educational theory balanced with current classroom practices. Our education programs focus on a values-centered approach toward the preparation of caring, highly qualified candidates uniquely prepared to address the needs of the diverse populations in today’s schools.


Alvernia's Master of Education features multiple degree tracks, each approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education:
 

M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language


The Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language (M.Ed. in TESOL) is a 34-credit program designed to prepare students and professionals to teach English as a Second Language in a wide range of educational contexts, both in the U.S. and abroad.


The program has two tracks:

  • With Pennsylvania’s ESL Program Specialist (PK-12) certification.​​​ The certification track is for teachers who hold a PA instructional I or II or valid out-of-state ESL certificate and wish to obtain an ESL Program Specialist certification in PA.
  • Without PA certification. This track is for the individuals who seek teaching ESL in higher education institutions, non public educational agencies, and abroad.


Guided by the ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥â€™s principles of rigor, care and inclusiveness, we strive to prepare educators who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively and ethically teach English learning students. We aim to develop reflective practitioners committed to ongoing professional development who serve as agents of change in their educational contexts in order to empower diverse families and communities.
 

Estimated Program Length2 years
Credit Hours34
Course Length7 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$516*


*Tuition deferment available. Ask for details!

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership


The Master of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed to enhance the scholarly and professional development of classroom teachers who aspire to gain an administrative position. The program has the Principal Certification track. 

 
In keeping with ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥'s Christian commitment toward the harmonious development of the whole person, The Principals' Certification Program aims to develop self-directed and competent building administrators who are capable of and accountable for decision-making in all phases of their professional responsibilities.


The program provides professional educators with a broad-based knowledge of leadership in the field of education, whether for an administrative position or for a classroom teacher serving in a leadership capacity, such as a department chair, committee head, or community leader. The curriculum includes both historical and current knowledge of legislation, laws and research findings, existing and emerging theory, and methods of assessment. Students learn to encourage respect and social responsibility through the mastery of theory, fundamental techniques, and research-based best practices.
 

Estimated Program Length2 years
Credit Hours33
Course Length7 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$516*


*Tuition deferment available. Ask for details!

M.Ed. with Principal Certification 


The Master of Education with Principal (PK-12) Certification Program is designed to enhance the scholarly and professional development of classroom teachers who aspire to gain an administrative position.  The program prepares future educational leaders to interact successfully with students, teachers, parents, school board members, and the community at large. The program prepares educators to meet the Pennsylvania Principal (PK-12) Certification requirements. Students graduate with a Master of Education degree and Principal Certification which gives a strong impetus to their career development. 


In keeping with ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥'s Christian commitment toward the harmonious development of the whole person, the Principals' Certification Program aims to develop self-directed and competent building administrators who are capable of and accountable for decision-making in all phases of their professional responsibilities.


The program provides professional educators with a broad-based knowledge of leadership in the field of education, whether for an administrative position or for a classroom teacher serving in a leadership capacity, such as a department chair, committee head, or community leader. The curriculum includes both historical and current knowledge of legislation, laws and research findings, existing and emerging theory, and methods of assessment. Students learn to encourage respect and social responsibility through the mastery of  theory, fundamental techniques, and research-based best practices.
 

Estimated Program Length2 years
Credit Hours39
Course Length7 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$516*


*Tuition deferment available. Ask for details!

M.Ed. in Special Education 


Make your teaching position matter by educating special needs students using theory, fundamental techniques, and research-based practices. The Master of Education in Special Education prepares educators who hold another teaching certification to be successful in a variety of inclusive special education classroom settings.


The curriculum complies with the Pennsylvania and national standards. The coursework that focuses on young students with special needs such as learning disabilities, social/emotional disorders, and autism in combined with the coursework in technology, literacy and teaching strategies and methods for the instruction of students.
 

Estimated Program Length2 years
Credit Hours33
Course Length7 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$516*


*Tuition deferment available. Ask for details!

M.Ed. with Special Education Certification


The Master of Education with Special Education Certification (Grades PK-12) Program prepares educators for a master's degree with Pennsylvania certification in special education. This program is for educators who hold another teaching certification and would like to be successful in a variety of inclusive special education classroom settings.


The curriculum complies with the Pennsylvania and national standards. In addition to coursework that focuses on young students with special needs such as learning disabilities, social/emotional disorders, and autism, the certification program includes coursework in technology, literacy and teaching strategies and methods for the instruction of students. Read more about this online program.


To enhance their understanding of working with children with various abilities and disabilities, students are required to complete classroom field experiences, pre-student teaching, and six weeks of student teaching.
 

Estimated Program Length2 years
Credit Hours45
Course Length7 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$516*


*Tuition deferment available. Ask for details!


The following Pennsylvania teaching certifications can be added to a Master of Education degree:

The following graduate certificate can be added to a Master of Education program:


 

Learn more about ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥'s Graduate Teaching Certificates.

In This Section
Graduate Programs

Getting Started

Application Instructions


Alvernia uses the rolling admission process: that is, we continually accept and review applications. This provides an advantage of starting the program at your convenience. To begin the admission process, please complete an online application and pay a non-refundable $50 application fee (may be waived for teachers from partner school districts). Please note that the online system allows you to save and edit sections prior to submitting your application. 


The following documents need to be uploaded/submitted with the online application:

  • Undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate transcripts demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA. Note that up to 6 graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred upon the review of Program Coordinator
  • Personal statement discussing your professional goals relevant to educational leadership (300-500 words in length)
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • For international applicants: Foreign transcript evaluation and evidence of English language proficiency. Read about the application process for international students here.
  • Clearances as required by the state of Pennsylvania prior to the start date of the first course.


In addition, applicants for the M.Ed with Principal Certification will need to upload/submit: 

  • Valid PA Instructional Certificate I or II
  • Three letters of recommendation from a: 1) Principal, 2) Assistant Superintendent, 3) other non-family member. Recommenders should discuss the applicant's qualities as an emerging educational leader
Program Requirements


Academic Performance

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
  • Earn Grade C or better in the required general education and professional education courses

Field Experience

Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences including: 

Read about the requirements for education field experiences


Teacher Candidacy

Teacher candidacy signifies a formal admission to the teacher preparation program. Achieving a teacher candidacy status is required for taking the upper division education courses, pre-student teaching, and student teaching. Students must apply by the end of their sophomore year. Mid-degree transfer students must apply by the second semester of their studies at ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥. The achieve a teacher candidacy status, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Earn minimum of 48 credits including 6 credits of math, 3 - English composition, and 3 - American/British literature with earned Grade C or better 
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
  • Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences
  • Apply for teacher candidacy and receive an approval from their education faculty advisor and the Education Department Chair

Student Teaching

Student teaching occurs during the last semester in the program and includes two 14-week placements in PK-4 classrooms. To be admitted to student teaching, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Complete the required general core and professional education courses except ED 470 & ED 472 with Grade C or better
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
  • Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences

Read about:

Financing Your Education


There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥â€™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.

Corey Jones Wyomissing principal
Contact Us
Admissions
610-796-5187, gradandadult@alvernia.edu

Kelly Burr
Admissions Advisor, Graduate and Adult Education
610-796-8296, kelly.burr@alvernia.edu


Program Overview

Program Mission


The Education Department, rooted in a proud Franciscan heritage, is dedicated to providing instruction in educational theory balanced with current classroom practices. Our education programs focus on a values-centered approach toward the preparation of caring, highly qualified candidates uniquely prepared to address the needs of the diverse populations in today’s schools. 

Curriculum


Click a degree track to view its curriculum:

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 Master of Education programs are approved by the .
  • Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the . MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Outlook


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Employment in careers available to graduates with a M.Ed. in Education with a Principal's Certification is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $98,420.
  • Employment in careers available to graduates with a M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), M.Ed. in Special Education or M.Ed. with Special Education Certification is projected to fall 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage among the professions in 2021 was $59,720. After earning your degree, you can pursue a variety of careers, including teaching English as a Second Language in higher education institutions and non public educational agencies, both in the U.S. and abroad, or a variety of inclusive special education classroom settings.
  • Employment in careers available to graduates with a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $96,910. After earning your degree, you can pursue a variety of careers, including administrative positions or leadership roles, such as a department chair, committee head or community leader.


Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥â€™s Master of Education programs contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Assistant Professor of Education Shawn Rutt at shawn.rutt@alvernia.edu.

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Elena Lawrick, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Education / Director of the TESOL & Educational Leadership Programs

Education

610.796.8268
  • Faculty
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Mary B. Schreiner, Ph.D.

Professor Emerita of Education

Education

  • Professor Emeritus