Education

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Grading System

Grades are recorded as follows:

Master of Education

Center for Education Mission Statement

The Center for Education prepares knowledgeable and reflective educators through the promotion of academic excellence, collaboration, diversity and lifelong learning. We foster an inclusive student-centered environment and engage with our community partners. 

Goals

The master of education program has a commitment to the development of advanced learning experiences that are appropriate to the needs of practicing professionals and provide opportunities for professional enrichment and development.

Admission

Application for admission to the certificate, certification, and master of education programs should be completed online through Widener’s Office of Graduate Studies (https://widener.edu/apply).

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is a prerequisite for admission to graduate study. Occasionally, undergraduate students in their senior year are admitted into the graduate program. In order for an undergraduate student to be admitted, he or she must submit a current transcript of all undergraduate studies and a list of all courses in which he/she is currently enrolled. A student must submit a final transcript once the undergraduate program of study is completed.

The following requirements must be met for admission:

• Complete the online application form.
• Have an official transcript sent from all previous graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or college professors.
• Write a personal statement.
• Some programs require an interview with program director.
• Possess an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Additional Admission Criteria for the Principal Certification Program

• Compliance with state requirements of teaching experience in Pennsylvania.
• Application includes documented evidence of leadership potential and excellent communication skills, including evidence of being able to give an oral presentation.

Additional Admission Criteria for the Assistant Superintendent & Superintendent (Letter of Eligibility) Program:

• Compliance with state requirements of teaching and administrative experience in Pennsylvania (in current criteria).
• Application includes documented evidence of leadership potential and excellent communication skills, including evidence of being able to give an oral presentation.

International Students

International students should consult the International Student Services web page at www.widener.edu for international graduate student guidelines or contact the Office of International Student Services at Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; phone: 610-499-4499.

Master of Education Programs

• Counselor Education: PK-12 Professional School Counselor Specialization, MEd  
• Counselor Education: Clinical Specialization, MEd  
• Counselor Education: Student Affairs in Higher Education Specialization, MEd  
• Educational Leadership, MEd  
• Elementary Education: The Early Years (Pre-K-4), MEd  
• Higher Education Leadership, MEd  
• Home and School Visitor, MEd  
• Instructional Technology, MEd  
• K-12 Educational Leadership, MEd  
• Reading, MEd  
• Secondary Education, MEd  
• Special Education (Pre-K-12), MEd  

Certification

To earn a Pennsylvania Department of Education certificate at the graduate level, students must successfully complete an approved program of study, which includes a student teaching experience. In addition, students must maintain a grade of B (3.0) or better in all courses. Students who earn a grade of less than B in courses totaling six semester hours will be subject to academic dismissal. Students may also be required to complete certain prerequisite undergraduate courses, which include a minimum of 6 credits of college-level mathematics, 3 credits of English composition, and 3 credits of American or British literature. When this is required, students must maintain a minimum grade of B in those courses. 

All candidates for teacher certification in Pennsylvania must receive a passing score on the Pennsylvania Education Certification Tests (PECT) and/or PRAXIS tests. All candidates must also complete a portfolio according to the guidelines established by the Center for Education.

Classroom teachers in Pennsylvania holding Instructional I certification are required to complete 24 semester hours of post-baccalaureate studies and complete three years of successful teaching to qualify for the Instructional II certificate. Graduate courses taken at Widener University can be used to meet the course work requirement for the Instructional II certificate.

Specialist, supervisor, principal certificates, and superintendency letter of eligibility certificate have additional requirements for entry completion. Please consult with an advisor for more information.

The Center for Education at Widener University offers programs of study that can prepare individuals for the following professional certifications:

Teacher Certification

Biology

Chemistry

Earth and Space Science

Elementary Education: The Early Years, PK–4

English

Mathematics

Physics

Social Studies

Spanish (PK-12)

Special Education (PK–12)

PDE Specialist Certification

Home and School Visitor

Instructional Technology

Reading Specialist

School Counselor (K-12)

Dual Certification: Teacher Certification and Reading Specialist

PDE Supervisor/Principal Certifications**

K–12 Principal

PDE Letter of Eligibility**

Superintendent

**Must have appropriate previous certification and experience.

For more information regarding the Center for Education’s master’s degree programs, refer to the Student Handbook at https://catalog.widener.edu.

Doctor of Education

Center for Education Mission Statement

The Center for Education prepares knowledgeable and reflective educators through the promotion of academic excellence, collaboration, diversity and lifelong learning. We foster an inclusive student-centered environment and engage with our community partners. 

Goals

The goals of the doctor of education programs at Widener University are rooted in the mission and goals of the university itself. To that end, the doctoral programs are committed to the following:

• to foster an understanding of theory and its relevance to problem solving, and the expansion of our knowledge base.
• to contribute to the improvement of leadership by encouraging the spirit of critical inquiry and analysis through problem solving.
• to anticipate future societal trends and needs, and to be able to develop plans of action to meet those needs.

For more information regarding the Center for Education’s doctoral programs, refer to the Handbook for Doctoral Students.

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