Graduate Programs in Teacher Education

Dr. Katrin Blamey
Director of Graduate Education
610.282.1100, ext. 1455
katrin.blamey@desales.edu

The Master of Education and Education Graduate programs at DeSales University serve as the center for the advancement of effective teaching through the creation of learning opportunities designed to be relevant for today’s children and youth. Our programs instill a sense of respect for all persons so that graduates can prepare students to experience cultural diversity, use technology, and contribute to a global society.

Degrees offered

The master’s degree is a comprehensive academic program of at least 30 graduate credits that culminates in a capstone research project. Master’s degrees are offered in the following areas:

MEd in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
MEd in Secondary Education
MEd in Special Education
MEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Programs, Traditional

DeSales University is approved to offer teacher certification preparation programs under the Pennsylvania Department of Education. in the following areas:

Early Childhood and Elementary Education Pre-Kindergarten-4th grade
Secondary Education 7-12th grades in Biology, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Social Studies
French and Spanish PreK-12th grade
Special Education PreK-12th grade
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist
STEM Endorsement (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness PreK-12 Endorsement

Pennsylvania Teacher Intern Certification Program (DeSales TIP) in Early Childhood Elementary Education, Secondary Education, World Languages, and Special Education

DeSales University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer an alternative teacher education program to qualified candidates who have graduated from an accredited undergraduate institution in a content area related to the following certifications:

Biology
Chemistry
Communications
Computer science
Mathematics
English
World Languages (French/Spanish)
Social Sciences
Social Studies
Special Education PreK-12 while continuing to work in the special education field
Early Childhood Elementary Education PreK-4 while continuing to work in the education field

In order to be accepted into the Intern Certification track, the applicant must demonstrate a 3.0 in undergraduate work, content mastery through certification exam results, and a willingness to engage in intensive study. An online application and registration form for all programs are available at www.desales.edu/med.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Graduate Programs in Education is to prepare teacher candidates, teachers, and educational leaders to lead young children and adolescents in reaching their highest potential in social interactions, in artistic endeavors, in spiritual growth, and in academic achievement.

Learning Outcomes

Teachers, teacher candidates, and educational leaders in the graduate programs in education demonstrate

Advanced content mastery across disciplines leading to research and scholarship in the field
Effective, creative, reflective, technology-enhanced, and data-driven pedagogy with a commitment to leadership in the educational process
Professionalism in personal, collegial, mentorship, and institutional settings
Leadership in supporting the uniqueness and diverse perspectives of students, their families, and their communities
Leadership in advocating for students and supporting their highest achievement in local and global contexts

The MEd programs of DeSales University foster and support professional development through inquiry, reflection, and the application of research-based methods to improve teaching and learning. The programs broaden theoretical and practical knowledge of professionals in the education and preparation of children as they grow toward global citizenship. Our students critique, discuss, and engage in educational research and use technology as an instructional tool to motivate, enhance, and extend learning. Graduates of the MEd programs are prepared to inform educational policy, address ethical concerns in the education of children, and maximize the benefits of diversity in the classroom.

General Admissions Requirements, MEd Programs

A bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges) or its equivalent from a foreign institution. (Graduates of international universities must submit an independent evaluation of transcripts from a foreign credentials evaluation body recognized by DeSales.) Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for regular admission. Otherwise-qualified individuals who do not meet the 3.0 criteria may appeal for provisional admission. Provisional admission allows the post-baccalaureate student to enroll in up to twelve credits of coursework prior to application for regular admission. See the director of graduate education for details.

Individuals with special needs or goals may be considered for admission and are encouraged to apply.

International Admissions Requirements

Graduate Language Requirements

International applicants (regardless of citizenship) for whom English is a second language must submit English proficiency test scores as part of their application.

Please note that graduate admissions requires the following minimum scores on the TOEFL, IELTS, or the C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)):

TOEFL:               90
IELTS:                 6.5
C1 Advanced:   C1 or higher

Language skills assessment and other exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee. An official copy of test results must be sent by the testing agency directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034.

Visit the following websites for up-to-date information:

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Web site at www.ets.org/toefl
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) https://www.ielts.org/
The Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE): http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/proficiency/

Language skills assessment and other exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee. Examples of some language requirement exceptions could include:

If an applicant completed a degree from a postsecondary institution in an English speaking country
If an applicant attended a U.S. community college, college, or university full-time for at least two years without English as a Second Language coursework for support.

An official copy of test results must be sent by the testing agency directly to the appropriate program at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034.

Visit the following websites for up-to-date information:

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Web site at www.ets.org/toefl
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) https://www.ielts.org/
The Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE): http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/proficiency/

*All exams must have been taken within two years of application to a DeSales program

Official Transcripts

All undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034.

Proof of Finances

A statement of finances that covers the cost of the attendance and living expenses for at least one full year must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Admissions/Designated School Official (DSO) upon acceptance to a graduate program.

Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa

The Director of Graduate Admissions/DSO will advise international applicants and students on the steps to obtain an F-1 Student Visa.

Current F-1 Students Transferring to DeSales

Upon admission to a graduate program, the Director of Graduate Admissions/DSO will provide forms for the student to complete for their current institution, requesting the Form I-20 to be transferred to DeSales.

Maintaining F-1 Student Status

Each F-1 student will meet with the Director of Graduate Admissions/DSO upon acceptance into the program regarding maintaining F-1 student status.

Application Procedure

Application information can be obtained from either the MEd programs administrator or www.desales.edu/med.

A complete application will include:

A completed online application form.
Official transcripts of all college work, undergraduate and graduate.
Copies of teaching certificates, (if applicable).

When the completed application and all documentation are received, the director of MEd programs will review the information and inform the candidate of the application status.

Application to the Teacher Intern Program (TIP): Additional

The TIP program is for content-qualified post-baccalaureate applicants who wish to earn an intern certificate in Early Childhood Elementary Education PreK-4, Secondary Education, World Languages, or Special Education PreK-12 after nine credits or more of graduate work in education in addition to substantive field experience completed under the supervision of DeSales University faculty. The successful intern candidate will then then continue the path towards Instructional I certification while working as a teacher in a local school. For more information about this program and for an application form, contact the MEd office at MEd@desales.edu. The TIP Program requires the following:

Field Application
Documentation of a GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate work through submission of all undergraduate official transcripts
Documentation of the passing of the Praxis II or PECTs in the area on the intended certification
A TIP Placement Verification Form signed by school employer

Internal Transfer

Students enrolled in a graduate education program offered by the University may transfer to another graduate education program offered by the University with the approval in writing of the director of MEd programs. An additional application fee is not required and ordinarily admissions credentials need not be resubmitted, but the requestor must submit a formal letter of request for transfer as well as a new statement of goals. Depending upon the director’s approval, credits earned in the original program may be partially or fully applied toward the new degree.

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions Policy

Up to nine credits of graduate work (generally at a 500 level or greater), with grades of a “B” or better, and completed within five years of the request for transfer may be transferred from graduate programs within the University or from other graduate programs of accredited institutions of higher education to partially fulfill requirements of any program. The course content must parallel DeSales course offerings or be relevant to the degree sought. Applicants must provide an official transcript, course description and any other documentation requested by the University.

All transfers must be approved by the director of MEd programs. Transfer of credits earned before admission must be requested in writing at the time of application for admission.

Students wishing to transfer courses taken at another institution during the completion of a program must receive prior written approval from the director. Courses offered by DeSales University as part of a program cannot be taken elsewhere for transfer if a student has the opportunity to take them at DeSales University during the current or future semesters during a reasonable time frame for completion of a program. Approval of transfer will not be granted unless for extenuating circumstances and only if denial of request for transfer will deny student progress toward program completion. Courses in MEd programs have outcomes aligned with program outcomes and transferred courses rarely align exactly. Therefore, desire for a more rapid completion of a program will not constitute an extenuating circumstance or grounds for approval of transfer.

Academic Schedule

The academic year of the MEd program consists of five sessions:

Fall (13 weeks) early Sept-early December
Spring (13 weeks) early Jan-late April
Summer (13 weeks) late April-early August
Summer A (7 weeks) late April-mid June
Summer B (7 weeks) mid June-early August

Courses may be taught in various formats including traditional classroom, online, and hybrid (online and face-to-face) or hybrid-flex classes. Schedules for these formats will be announced with the session schedule and will be available on the Web Advisor before registration.

The Academic Calendar may be found at www.desales.edu/med.

In the fall, spring, and traditional summer session, hybrid courses meet in alternating weeks on-Zoom and online. On campus sessions meet on a weekday evening, Monday - Thursday from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. for three-credit courses. See the program for the exact schedule. Select courses will be offered in an online format where there may be a requirement for some synchronous class meetings online.

Summer A and Summer B in the seven week summer session meet two times each week (one on-line class and one face-to-face class).

Student Status

A full-time student is one who carries at least six credits in a given term.

A part-time student is one who carries at least three credits in a given term.

A student will be deemed inactive after twelve months of non-enrollment. The student must reapply to be reinstated to continue in the program and is not guaranteed readmission.

Student Categories

Applicants may be admitted to the MEd program in one of the following categories:

Regular Student Category
An applicant in this category is pursuing a degree only, certification only, or degree and certification and meets all admission requirements.

Provisional Student Category
A post-baccalaureate student who does not fully meet the GPA requirement but who has attained a minimum of a 2.5 GPA may enroll in up to twelve credits of course work within the Department. Upon successful completion of the twelve credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 achieved in the graduate program, the student may then apply for admission as a Regular Student.

Special Student Category
Qualified students may enroll in graduate courses on a per course basis up to a maximum of 6 credits without formal admission to a program. The successful completion of the course does not imply acceptance into the program. However, courses taken under this status may be applied towards program requirements once regular student status is attained.

Auditing Student Category
The director of MEd programs may permit qualified applicants to audit selected courses. Such applicants must complete the MEd application form and must pay the non-refundable application fee and tuition for any courses to be audited. Audited courses may not be counted toward graduation requirements.

Elective Courses

The director of MEd programs should approve all elective courses taken as part of the degree program allowing for electives.

Academic Standing

GPA Requirements: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for each semester of enrollment. If a cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for one semester the student will be deemed “on probation” and must interview with the M.Ed. Director to formulate a remediation plan. A student may be placed on probation only once. If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for a second semester, the graduate student will be withdrawn from the program. Provisional students who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA in each semester of the program will not be granted regular admission.

Minimum Grade: Students must attain a C+ or higher in Education courses not required for certification, but required for the master’s degree. In courses required for certification, a student must attain a B or higher or repeat the course in order to demonstrate mastery of the competencies. Students in certification programs may receive no more than 2 grades at the B- level. In order to be granted a master’s degree, a student must attain a B- or higher in all core master’s degree courses.

Program Progression: All students must meet with a Graduate Advisor once each year to review program progress. Students are expected to continuously enroll in the courses according to the course plan. Students who have not taken a course within a span of 12 months will be considered withdrawn from the program and must reapply in order to gain approval for reinstatement.

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete is given only after an acute and significant unforeseen event prevents a student from completing the course. An incomplete is given at the discretion of the instructor and with the approval of the M.Ed. Director.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class hours. For online sessions, students must meet participation requirements equal to class attendance. See course syllabus for specific attendance/participation requirements. An unexcused absence of more than two hours (total) from a one-credit course or two class meetings from a three-credit course shall result in a grade of “F”. For online class sessions, completion of all required viewing, discussion, and assignments constitutes an attended class. An incomplete will only be approved by the MEd director if an unforeseen and acute circumstance occurs that hinders course completion. A student request for an incomplete with a rationale must be made in writing to the professor of the course and the MEd director prior to the Monday of final exam week. The professor and MEd director in consultation will approve the incomplete for a specified period of time not to exceed six months.

Registration

Registration normally begins eight weeks before the first class meeting. The University reserves the right to limit enrollment, or cancel a course if registration is insufficient. Registration is done through Web Advisor at www.desales.edu/webadvisor. New students or those studying for ACT 48 credit will need to contact the MEd secretary for registration information.

Student Orientation

All students registered for courses in programs either before or after acceptance are encouraged to participate in a Student Orientation conducted prior to each session of the academic semester. There is no fee for this orientation. More information on the Student Orientation including scheduled dates for each session can be obtained from the MEd program office.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are available at www.desales.edu.

DeSales Partners in Education Scholarship Program

Qualifying employees of DeSales Partners in Education Consortium members may qualify for reduced tuition rate under the DPEC Scholarship Program. See the MEd secretary for a list of consortial institutions and for an application for DPEC member tuition rate reduction. The DPEC application for the scholarship must be completed by August 15 of each academic year and remains in effect until August 14 of the following year. If the employment status of the student changes during that time, the student must notify the MEd office within two weeks of the change so that the office can determine the continued eligibility of the student for the DPEC Scholarship. Once accepted into the scholarship program, the student will be issued a letter of acceptance.

Refund Amount

Both on-campus and online course days constitute course sessions in the calculation of refunds. For practica students and student teachers, no refund will be given for withdrawal if after 7 days prior to the start of Boot Camp.

Withdrawal during the add/drop period: 100% of tuition refunded.

Withdrawal after the 1st class after the close of the add/drop period: 80% of tuition refunded.

Withdrawal after the 2nd class after the close of the add/drop period: 65% of tuition refunded

Withdrawal after the 3rd class after the close of the add/drop period: 50% of tuition refunded

Withdrawal after the 4th class after the close of the add/drop period: 25% of tuition refunded

Withdrawal after the 5th class after the close of the add/drop period: No refund

Online courses and online weeks of hybrid courses will be assumed to start on Monday

Weekend and accelerated courses: No refund is made after the course has begun.

One-Credit Courses: No refund is made after the course has begun.

Graduation Requirements, MEd Programs

The following graduation requirements apply to all MEd degrees:

Completion of the required number of graduate credits and required courses in an approved program of study.
An overall 3.0 GPA for all course work taken at the University towards the completion of the degree.
Resolution of all incomplete grades.
Completion of master’s core course requirements with a grade of “B” or higher.
Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University.

Computer Literacy

The University expects all incoming students to be familiar with and able to use basic word processing, LMS navigation, digital file management, e-mail and Internet. Applicants lacking this background should acquire it through appropriate learning experiences before registration in the first course in the program. Only DeSales email addresses will be used for communication among students, professors, and administrators.

Online and Hybrid Course Technical Requirements

All students registered for online or hybrid courses are required to

have access to Internet above dial-up speeds and
use a headset with microphone (no open speakers with external mic)
have attended a LMS Basics training session through DEIT or attest that LMS competence has already been acquired

Additional technical requirements include:

Microsoft Office 2010 or higher

Additional plug-in download may be required. Student is responsible for determining what specific technology is required for course before registration.

Requirement of Clearances for Field Observation and Practice Teaching

Clearances: All students who enter schools or educational institutions as part of a DeSales program must comply with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for clearances. These clearances include PA Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Form, PA Criminal History Background Check, Tuberculin Test, Rubella Immunization verification (Elementary Candidates Only) and Act 24 record check for Student Teacher Candidates. For complete information and policy on student clearance requirements, contact the MEd programs office. The clearances must be issued as a DeSales student. Work clearances will not be accepted since your status under DeSales is as a student. Clearances must be issued within the calendar year of field experience.

Requirements for Recommendation for Certification or Endorsements

Prerequisite Course Completion:
Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that the director of MEd programs verifies completion of specified course work at the undergraduate or graduate level before allowing student teaching, practicum or intern experience leading to recommendation for certification. Complete information on these requirements can be obtained from the MEd programs office.

Praxis and PECT Testing: Initial and some additional teaching certifications require the passing of specific certification tests. Complete information on current exam requirements can be obtained from the MEd programs office. Students in the Secondary certification program must take and pass the Praxis II in the subject area of certification before enrollment in more than six credits. Early Childhood and Elementary Education students must take and pass prior to application for student teaching. Special Education certification students must take and pass the two required PRAXIS exams prior to the application for student teaching. Consult with the DeSales Education office about meeting this requirement.

Secondary Certification Content Mastery: Secondary education program students are expected to meet and document passing of the relevant Praxis II in the content area of certification and completion of courses required to meet Course-to-Competencies Audit requirements before enrollment in the third course in the program sequence, generally after the completion of six credits of graduate work at DeSales. Course work needed to support content mastery may be available through the Adult Studies program or local colleges.

Professional Phase, Student Teaching, and Practica

Only graduate students accepted into the Professional Phase of the Certification Program will be entitled to student teach or enroll in a practicum. Application for the Professional Phase must occur after the completion of twelve credits hours taken at DeSales. Eligibility for the Professional Phase will be documentation of successful course progress and active student status, a GPA of 3.0 or greater, and the passing of all required tests for the Professional Phase of the specific program.

Each program of study for the MEd degree consists of graduate credits made up of master’s degree core, major, capstone, and elective courses. Some programs will require PDE mandated Accommodations and Adaptations courses for Pennsylvania certification.

Programs of Study, MEd Program

Prerequisite Courses

Specific programs may have particular prerequisite requirements. Please see individual programs of study for those prerequisite requirements. Prerequisite course credits are not included in total credit requirements for program completion.

Master’s Degree Capstone Course

The capstone course provides a firm foundation in educational research, understanding of data-driven instruction, and professional ethics for all MEd programs. This course is required for all MEd degree candidates.

Major Courses

Students must complete the major courses as required by their specific program. Major course requirements are described by the curriculum matrix of the specific programs. A grade of B- or higher must be earned in any course required for PDE certification. Certification courses may be retaken only once to achieve the minimum grade of B- .

Elective Courses

For programs allowing for electives, the elective credits may be chosen from any of the MEd courses with the approval of the director of MEd programs. The number of core, major and elective courses may vary depending on the program of study. Students should check the requirements with their program coordinator or the director of the MEd programs.

Prior Learning Assessment Credits

The Graduate Education Department will consider awarding credits for prior learning for previously-completed non-credit courses or education-related training. Prior learning credits will not be issued for PDE certification-required courses or for course work acquired as an undergraduate. The prior learning must parallel an existing graduate course, and a tuition fee will be charged for these credits if approved. For a full explanation of requirements, please contact the Education Department Graduate Program.

Field Courses and Hours

Students seeking initial teaching certification must complete 170 hours of DeSales University supervised field observation, assistance, and demonstration teaching prior to student teaching. Students must be registered in the appropriate DeSales field course in order to receive credit for those hours. All field placements are coordinated by our Director of Field Experiences and are supervised by university faculty who will conduct on-site observations. All field sites are within a twenty-mile radius of DeSales University. The Stage 3 field placement experience must be in a public school setting.

Student Teaching

Students seeking initial Pennsylvania teacher certification must complete all prerequisite courses, all major courses, and pass the required certification exams before student teaching. Student teaching consists of a continuous sequence of 64 fulltime days in the subject area and grade band of certification. The student teacher will be observed and evaluated eight or more times in the student teaching semester. The student teaching placement is controlled by the DeSales University Student Teaching and Practicum Coordinator and is generally located within a twenty-mile radius of DeSales.

Professionalism and Educator Ethics

All student teaching candidates must present record-free clearances and be determined to be of “good moral character” as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, if a student teaching candidate has shown behaviors in contradiction to the PA Educators Code of Conduct, a full-time faculty committee will meet to determine student teaching eligibility. Due process as defined by the university will be followed.

Program Requirement Changes

The MEd program reserves the right to change program requirements during the student program to meet changing PDE certification requirements or to ensure that the student is well-prepared to enter the teaching profession. Changes will be issued in writing to the student in the form of a revised matrix.

Programs

Masters

Graduate Certificate