Teacher Education Department

Lynn Baynum, Ph.D, Chair (717) 477-1688
Gwendolyn Brown Jackson, Ed.D.
Arlen Davis, Ph.D.
Holly Garner, M.Ed.
Christopher Keyes, Ph.D.
Andrea Malmont, Ed.D.
Alison Mellott, Ed.D.
Eucabeth Odhiambo, Ed.D.
Donald Philpot, Ph.D.
Shannon Raines, M.Ed.
Christine Royce, Ed. D
Cheryl Slattery, Ed.D.
Tamara Smith, M.Ed.
Wes Welty, M.Ed.

Shippensburg University was founded in 1871 and was the first normal school in the state dedicated to training Pennsylvania teachers. We hold the distinction of the only public school with a university K-5 elementary school on campus, known as the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School (GBLUES). We also partner with the Bartos Child and Family Center and the Shippensburg Head Start. With such a long history associated with teacher education, Shippensburg University continues to be a leader in preparing outstanding teachers. Our faculty have expertise in cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional growth and development of young children, elementary children and adolescents, pedagogical practices in content area academic disciplines, educational technology, and many, many more nuances related to teaching and learning. We create pathways in and out of the classroom that enhance college students’ academic success so that they can be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to teach young children, elementary children and adolescents in our region and beyond.

Mission: We provide a rigorous and responsive environment for learning that engages our students in historically-effective emerging research in education. Authentic learning opportunities are used in diverse classroom settings which highlight the three campus laboratory schools as models for classroom instruction.

Programs Offered

The Department of Teacher Education offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Education degree in two areas: Curriculum and Instruction, and Literacy, with Reading Specialist PK-12 Certification. Graduate students seeking a second Master’s degree have the opportunity to incorporate courses from either the Curriculum and Instruction program or the Literacy program as part of a second Master’s degree. The graduate student must complete fully the first Master’s degree. Then, working with an academic advisor, the graduate student can select courses for the second Master’s and must follow Shippensburg University guidelines for credit requirements.

The Curriculum and Instruction degree is a thirty (30) credit program designed to be offered fully online, typically asynchronously during fall, winter, spring and summer terms. The Curriculum and Instruction program is grounded in the Danielson Framework and includes the following clusters:

Core Areas: (9 credits)
Focus on Curriculum and Assessment: Data Responsive Practices
Focus on Effective Teaching:
Purposeful Pedagogical Decision-Making Practices
Focus on the Learner: Factors that Influence Learning

Interdisciplinary Core- (18 credits)
Focus on Leadership: Collaborating with Professionals
Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Relationships in the Classroom Environment
Focus on Responsive Teaching and Learning: Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Pedagogy
Focus on Literacy: Structured Literacy
As well as free elective courses as identified by the graduate student along with support from the faculty advisor.

The M.Ed. in Literacy is a thirty (30) credit program with courses offered online during the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. Practicum experiences are offered are in person in a location convenient to the graduate student’s school district. The Literacy program leads to Reading Specialist certification and is grounded in Structured Literacy content knowledge and pedagogical practices.

In addition to the two specialized graduate programs in Teacher Education, Shippensburg University offers a English as a Second Language Certification that is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The English as a Second Language program is a sixteen (16) credit certificate which includes a practicum experience.

Graduate students interested in earning a Director’s Credential for Early Childhood Settings are encouraged to complete nine credits as outlined in the Curriculum and Instruction Master’s degree and with the addition of ECED 564: The Business of Child Care as a free elective.

For graduate students seeking teaching certification in Early Childhood (PK-4), Middle Level (4-8), Secondary (7-12), and content specialists in Art, French, Spanish, and Special Education (PK-12) are encouraged to reach out to the Teacher Education Department or the College of Education and Human Services for more information regarding certification pathways.

Admission to Teacher Education Programs

All applications for admission to our Teacher Education programs must begin with application to the Graduate School at Shippensburg. The Teacher Education Department (TED) reviews and approves applications. Once accepted into either the Curriculum and Instruction program or the Literacy program, the graduate student is assigned an academic advisor who provides course recommendations and semester-by-semester course sequencing support to ensure that the graduate student meets degree requirements.

At times and under the direction of the academic advisor, the graduate student may be approved to substitute or transfer one or more course(s) into the program, so long as the course(s) meets Shippensburg University policies and practices and include at least a B or higher final grade.

Important admission information follows:

1. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

2. Applicants must submit an official transcript showing degree completion with at least a 2.7 cumulative quality point average for undergraduate studies. Applicants for certification programs must have a 3.0 cumulative quality point average GPA at the undergraduate, Bachelor’s level.

3. Applicants to the Reading Specialist program are expected to have prior certification in either elementary or secondary education.

4. Applicants are strongly recommended to document relevant educational employment, including a copy of all valid certifications and other evidence as required.

Teacher Education Requirements for the Curriculum and Instruction Program and Literacy Program

In order to be approved for graduation, the graduate student must have met all program requirements, including earning a B or higher grade in all graduate courses. At least a 3.0 GPA is required for ongoing enrollment in the program and upon graduation.

If the graduate student transfers a course from another university, an official transcript must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office and reviewed by the academic advisor. In such cases, the academic advisor will submit an exception request to the Department Chair indicating the program requirement met by the transfer course. This request includes a justification as to how the transfer course or credits meet the program outcomes and competencies. Once the exception is approved, the graduate student’s degree plan will be updated to show the requirement has been met.