University Curricula

Graduate curricula of the university lead to the master’s/doctoral degree or to post-master’s certification.

Graduate Degrees

Shippensburg University provides graduate curricula leading to these degrees:

These degree programs are offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, the John L. Grove College of Business, and the College of Education and Human Services. The M.S.W. and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership are offered jointly with Millersville University.

Master of Education Degree

Teacher education programs at Shippensburg University are designed to prepare competent professionals for classroom teaching and for leadership positions in a variety of educational settings and institutions. The teacher as a “reflective co-learner” is the focus of the university’s education programs.

Shippensburg University’s teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), with conditions, and by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The following applies to all programs leading to the Master of Education degree.

General Guidelines

1. Each candidate’s program leading to the Master of Education degree must include at least 9 semester hour credits of graduate work in professional education.
2. Each candidate’s program for the Master of Education degree must include at least 9 semester hour credits of graduate work in the content area of the candidate’s teaching field.
3. The department of the candidate’s teaching field may not specify more than 18 semester hour credits of required courses in the Master of Education degree program. Of these 18 credits that may be specified, not more than 15 credits may be required in professional studies. The department, however, may require up to 18 credits in the content field.
4. Each candidate for the Master of Education degree must be able to include at least three credits of free electives in the program.
5. Each candidate for the Master of Education degree must complete the departmental course in Elements of Research.
6. Completion of the Master of Education degree does not lead to Instructional I teacher certification. Further information may be found in the section Teacher Certification.

Instructional Certificates

Instructional I provisional certificates (Chapter 49.82*) are issued to applicants who possess a baccalaureate degree, successfully complete a PDE-approved teacher certification program, successfully pass department-prescribed tests, and Pennsylvania Department of Education test requirements (Praxis), and receive recommendation from a college or university.

Instructional II certificates (Chapter 49.83*) are issued to applicants who complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved induction program, complete three to six years of satisfactory teaching on an Instructional I certificate in approved public or non-public schools, and complete 24 semester credit hours of collegiate study or in-service programs approved by the department, as well as any other requirements identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

More detailed information concerning Instructional, Educational Specialist, Supervisory, and Administrative Certificates as well as the Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility is available from the Bureau of Teacher Certification, Department of Education, 333 Market Street, Box 911, Harrisburg, PA 17126.

Students who can qualify for admission to graduate classes are encouraged to take graduate work to earn the credits required to maintain active certification. These credits may also count toward meeting the requirements of the Master of Education degree.

The graduate program also provides opportunities for persons who have a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate to extend their certification to other areas. The curricula are not designed primarily for this purpose but do provide some courses that may be applied toward certification in specific areas.

*Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 49, Certification of Professional Personnel

Teacher Certification

Certification for educators in Pennsylvania is determined by State Board of Education Regulations, Chapter 49, Certification of Professional Personnel. Revised regulations which became effective June 1, 2011, apply to all candidates who receive an Instructional I certificate after that date. By Department of Education policy, certificates are renewed or made permanent subject to the terms and conditions of the regulations in effect at the time the certificate was initially issued.

K-12 School Principal Certification

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has granted approval to Shippensburg University to offer a graduate program leading to the Master of Education degree in Educational Administration that includes the certification of K-12 school principals and a post-master’s degree program leading to the certification of K-12 school principals. Detailed information concerning this program can be found under the Educational Leadership and Special Education Department.

Supervisory I Certificate

Shippensburg University offers post-master’s degree programs in the following fields leading to the Supervisory I Certificate issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

Early Childhood Education
Reading
Social Studies/Citizenship
Special Education

Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility

Shippensburg University offers a post-master’s degree program leading to the Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility. More detailed information on this Department of Education approved program can be found under the Educational Leadership and Special Education Department.

Responsibility

All programs in teacher education are the direct responsibility of the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, who is designated as the official university certification officer. Policies and guidelines for teacher education programs are developed by an all-university Teacher Education Council.