College of Education and Human Services

Nicole R. Hill, Ph.D., LPC Dean
College of Education and Human Services (717) 477-1373

Master of Education Degree

Teacher education programs at Shippensburg University are designed to prepare educators to deepen their content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and professional dispostitions through theoretical and evidence-based practices for incorporation in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary classrooms. Graduate students study historical and current teaching and learning research that aligns to national and state competencies and practices while providing the graduate students with opportunities to collaborate with professionals as well as school district/agency partners, learners, families, and communities. As a conceptual framework, our Apprenticeship Model represents our mission of structuring educational opportunities that scaffold our candidates across PK-12 educational and clinical settings. Key assessments have been collaboratively designed and vetted by an Assessment System Protocol. Each assessment is linked to a specific point in time so that we ensure that we are not only evaluating candidates’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions, but that we are also continuously documenting candidates’ professional growth and development. In addition, each competency is linked to CAEP/INTASC, SPA, and PDE standards to ensure alignment with national and state compliance expectations for accreditation.

Shippensburg University’s teacher education programs are accredited the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), and area aligned with competencies identified InTASC, Specialized Program Accreditations (SPAs) and by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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

General Guidelines

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.
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.
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.
Each candidate for the Master of Education degree must be able to include at least three credits of free electives in the program.
Each candidate for the Master of Education degree must complete the departmental course in Elements of Research.
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/or PECT) 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 the Pennsylvania Department of Education, specifically regulations outlined in Chapter 354 and Chapter 49 which are mandated by the state legislature and updated appropriately at the course, program and Shippensburg University level. For graduate students seeking certification as part of the program plan, the graduate student must submit an application in TIMS. Upon the program completion, the graduate student will be recommended by the Shippensburg University Certification Officer via the TIMS system and approved by PDE.

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 in 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.