• Marywood Home
  
  
• Graduate Education Home
  
  Admission Requirements
  
  Course Descriptions
  
  Faculty
  
  
• Program Outlines

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certification or degree programs.

NOTE: Requirements regarding admission to a program, prerequisite and requisite courses, student teaching approval, and recommendation for certification and graduation are subject to change. Legislation governing educational programs in Pennsylvania calls for revisions in several certification areas. Program curricula will be modified to meet these regulations once the Pennsylvania Department of Education advances the new guidelines.

All applicants interested in pursuing a graduate program in education must complete an application to the University.

All applicants must meet with the Chair of the Education Department or designated department faculty member prior to admission to the department.

All applicants seeking certification must meet the following requirements:

	Application	Letters of Recommendation	Entrance Test (within first nine credits)	Minimum Baccalaureate Q.P.A.	6 credits in Mathematics, 3 credits in English composition, 3 credits in English literature
Initial (First) Certification	x	x	PRAXIS I	3.00	x
Second Certification	x	x		3.00

 

One-half of a student's course work must be taken at Marywood university in order to receive a recommendation for certification.

Professional Contribution

Most degree programs in education include a culminating experience. This experience is referred to as a Professional Contribution (PC). Depending on the program, the PC may be a professional project, thesis, exhibit, portfolio, internship, applied research or action research. Degree candidates work under the guidance of a faculty mentor and give a public presentation of their Professional Contribution.

Master of Arts in Teaching and Certification in Elementary Education

Prior to admission to the M.A.T./ Elementary Certification program, all applicants must meet with the Chair of the Education Department or designated department faculty member and the Director of Professional Field Experience. The Praxis I, Pre-professional skills tests (PPST) - Reading, Writing, Mathematics - must be taken and passed within the first 9 credits of course work.

The M.A.T./ Elementary Education program is designed for the teaching professional whose goals include initial certification in Elementary Education and an M.A.T. degree. This program consists of a minimum of 49 hours of graduate work. Students with no education courses may need to take up to 63 semester hours. The courses are divided into four categories:

• twenty-one semesters hours in professional education courses which are intended to give the student an understanding of foundations of education, special needs youngsters, human growth and development, and the psychology of the teaching/ learning process.
• twenty-two and a half hours in specialty area courses which provide an understanding of the curriculum taught at the elementary school level.
• thirteen and a half hours in student teaching and seminar.
• six hours in core courses, providing the student the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in both research and learning theory.

These courses are certification requirements for those students seeking both the degree and Pennsylvania Instructional I certification. Eligibility for certification is determined by fulfillment of state requirements. Many of the courses in the M.A.T./ Elementary program fulfill these requirements.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certificationor degree programs. Program requirements are subject to change based on guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Instructional Leadership

In addition to an initial interview with the Chair of the Department or designated faculty member and the successful completion of coursework, the degree candidate is required to complete a Professional Contribution under the guidance of a faculty mentor and give a public presentation of the project.

Master of Science in Early Childhood Intervention

Prior to admission to the Early Childhood Intervention Program with the added certification in Early Childhood Education, all applicants must meet with the Chair of the Education Department or designated department faculty member and the Director or Professional Field Experience Director, AND pass Praxis I - Pre-professional skills tests (PPST) - Reading, Writing, Mathematics.

Requirments for admission to the certification program include: overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher, two college mathematics and two college English courses (composition and literature.)

Master of Science in Reading Education

Students may obtain a Master of Science degree in Reading Education, which includes the Reading Specialist certification (K-12), or obtain only the Reading Specialist certification (K-12).

The program leading to a master's degree in reading consists of 33 hours of graduate coursework. The areas of study include:

1. nine semester hours in the field of education, to give the student an adequate background in research techniques, theories of learning and foundations of education.
2. twenty-four semester hours in the area of reading to give students an understanding of:
   • recent research in the field of reading and how it affects the teaching of reading;
   • tried and approved methods of teaching reading;
   • diagnosis and remediation of reading problems;
   • organization and management of the reading classroom.
3. six hours for student teaching for initial certification candidates.

In addition to the successful completion of designated coursework, the student is required to complete a Professional Contribution under the direction of a faculty mentor and give a public presentation of their projects.

A student who wishes to concentrate in the field of reading but who does not wish to pursue the master's degree program or who already holds a master's degree may obtain Reading Specialist certification by taking the 24 semester hours from concentration courses in reading. A student seeking only certification is required to take at least fifty percent of the 24 credits at Marywood University. State regulations in Chapter 49 of the Pennsylvania Code, 22 PA Code 49.18, require that those seeking their first Instructional I Certificates must complete student teaching and demonstrate that they have successfully completed a teacher certification exam in these areas:

• Praxis I - Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) - Reading, Writing, Mathematics
• Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge
• Praxis II - Specialty Area (Reading Specialist)

The Reading Supervisor certification will endorse a Reading Specialist for appointment as a Reading Supervisor. Candidates for this post-masters certification shall:

1. follow normal application procedures for admission to the College of Education and Human Development, indicating desire to seek this certification. Candidates must possess a minimum 3.0 average in all prior graduate work.
2. successfully complete an interview after six credits if a master's degree in reading or master's degree plus Reading Specialist certification were not awarded at Marywood University.
3. provide evidence of having completed five years of satisfactory certificated experience as a Reading Specialist.

At the point of admission/acceptance, the Education Department and the Office of Certification will determine if the candidate has met all competencies as outlined by the State Department of Education. If it is determined that a candidate is lacking in an area typically part of the first endorsement (Reading Specialist) more than eighteen semester hours may be required. Likewise, if a candidate has fulfilled some of the courses required for the supervision certification, the courses will not be repeated. As with all certifications, fifty percent of the required courses must be taken at Marywood.

Master of Science in School Leadership with Certification as Principal

In addition to an initial interview with the Chair of the Education Department or designated faculty member and the successful completion of coursework, the degree candidate is required to complete a Professional Contribution under the guidance of a faculty mentor and give a public presentation of the Professional Contribution. To be eligible for the Principal's certification, the candidate must have had five years of certificated school experience.

The Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility will endorse an individual for appointment as a district superintendent or an assistant superintendent. Candidates for this post-master's certification shall:

1. follow normal application procedures for admission to graduate programs, indicating desire to seek this certification. Candidates must possess a minimum 3.0 average in all prior graduate work.
2. successfully complete an interview after six credits if a master's degree in administration or master's degree with supervisory or administrative certification was not awarded at Marywood University.
3. provide evidence of six years of teaching or other professionally certificated service in basic education, three years of which shall have been in supervisory or administrative positions.

At the point of admission/acceptance, the Chair of the Education Department and the Office of Certification will determine if the candidate has met all competencies as outlined by the PA Department of Education. If it is determined that a candidate is lacking in an area typically part of the first administrative endorsement (principalship), additional coursework may be required. Likewise, if a candidate has fulfilled some of the courses required for the Letter of Eligibility certification, the courses will not be repeated. As with all certifications, a minimum of fifty percent of required courses must be taken at Marywood.

Special Education Supervisor

Candidates for this Post Masters certification should follow normal application procedures for Graduate Admission to the University, indicating the desire to seek this certification. Candidates must possess a 3.0 average in all prior graduate work and successfully complete an interview after 6 credits if the master's degree was not awarded at Marywood University. Prerequisites of a MS in Special Education and 5 years satisfactory teaching experience on a valid special education teaching certificate.

At the point of admission/acceptance, the Education Department and the Office of Certification will determine if the candidate has met all competencies as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If it is determined that a candidate islacking in any area, more than eighteen semester hours may be required. Likewise, if a candidate has fulfilled some of the courses required for the supervisor certification, the courses will not be repeated. As with all certification programs, a minimum of fifty percent of the required courses must be taken at Marywood University.

Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction

The Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certification will endorse an individual as a general instructional supervisor in a school district. Candidates for this master's or post-master's certification shall:

1. follow normal application procedures for admission to graduate programs, indicating desire to seek this certification. Candidates must possess a minimum 3.0 average in all prior undergraduate or graduate work.
2. successfully complete an interview prior to formal admission to the program.
3. provide evidence of five years of satisfactory professional instructional experience.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certification or degree programs. Please contact Marywood's Education Department to learn more about these specifications.

The Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services certification will endorse an individual as a district-wide specialist in the comprehensive pupil personnel services field (school psychology, school counseling, school health, school social work services) as supportive of the instructional process in a school district.

Candidates for this post-master's certification shall:

1. follow normal application procedures for admission to the graduate program, indicating desire to seek this certification. Candidates must possess a 3.0 average in prior graduate work.
2. successfully complete an interview prior to formal admission to the program.
3. provide evidence of five years of satisfactory certificated experience in a pupil personnel service area.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certification or degree programs. Please contact Marywood's Education Department to learn more about these specifications.

Certification Programs

Students may obtain a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate in elementary education and in specialized K-12 and secondary areas. Determination of individual student requirements for certification will be made after all previous transcripts have been evaluated. A student seeking only certification is required to take at least fifty percent of the required credits at Marywood University. Eligibility for certification is determined by fulfillment of Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements. State regulations in Chapter 49 of the Pennsylvania Code, 22 PA Code 49.18 require that those seeking their initial or first Instructional I Certificate must receive passing scores on Praxis I and II tests in these areas:

The PRAXIS (Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers) Series:

• Praxis I - Pre-professional skills tests (PPST) - Reading, Writing, Mathematics
• Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (not required for 7-12 certification areas)
• Praxis II - Specialty Area (required in each area of certification)