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Pennsylvania Department of Education Approved Certification Program
INTRODUCTION
The Master of Education program at York College of Pennsylvania is a professional preparation program designed to build the leadership capacity of regional public and private schools. A result of years of discussion and planning, the M.Ed. program was developed in collaboration with school district personnel and regional advisory groups. After a thorough analysis of local needs, two areas of specialization were identified:
Reading and Educational Leadership
The M.Ed. program at York College prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in public and private schools. Candidates in the M.Ed. program may specialize in Educational Leadership, leading to Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification as a K-12 Principal or in Reading, leading to certification as a school Reading Specialist. There is also a School Reading Specialist certification track for those students who possess a degree and who wish to work in a school-based position requiring Pennsylvania School Reading Specialist Certification.
In addition to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program, professional development courses are available as a means by which educators can enhance and extend their skills and knowledge in a variety of areas. These courses are wide-ranging and designed to meet an array of personal and professional needs. Refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web page at www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/lib/teaching/act48.pdf for additional information on meeting the latest certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Professionals wishing to enroll in one or more graduate level professional development courses will register through the Master of Education program as a Non-Degree student.
Both the M.Ed. and professional development programs are oriented toward working professionals. All courses are offered in the evening hours, Monday through Thursday during the regular academic year, and in both day and evening format each summer. Core courses are taught throughout the academic year. Courses are taught by a faculty of full-time and adjunct professors in classes where enrollment has been managed to allow for constructive individual attention. The members of our full-time faculty have held positions in public and/or private education and continue to be engaged in ongoing consulting with other educators. Most of our adjunct professors are currently working in their chosen fields and, therefore, are a valuable resource to the program. By design, the York College M.Ed. model creates continuous opportunities for collaboration and mentoring. Course and field experiences are authentic and directly applicable to the realities of education today.
Philosophy
The Department of Education faculty believes that the challenge to prepare and sustain the finest teachers, administrators, supervisors, and specialists for the changing field of education continues to be a major concern. In our society, educators play an increasingly central role in the social and intellectual development of the child and in the removal of a wide range of barriers to learning. We therefore believe that all educators serve as intellectual and affective models to students. Each member of the Department of Education is committed to preparing the best educators possible.
As we move into the 21st century, the need for knowledge will continue to expand rapidly and broaden in its diversification. While it is essential that students acquire the basic skills and information necessary to become effective educators, it is our belief that learning additional skills applicable to living in an increasingly technological and global society are of paramount importance in the education process. Further, we believe that both graduate and undergraduate education should be authentic. Our course work incorporates case studies and other realistic scenarios that explore practical issues in teaching, learning, and administration.
We also recognize the need to establish an effective balance between preparing our students for individual self-promotion and preparation to accept a role of responsible citizenship within the larger community. Economic and cultural forces within our society will continue to increase the strain on the dynamic tension that exists between these two objectives. It is our philosophy that we must prepare our students to function independently and cooperatively within the bounds of ethical practices, and with an acceptance of what is in the interest of the public as a whole. Our graduates will be imbued with the view that as educators we serve as stewards of public trust and resources.
It is acknowledged that education agencies will continue to compete with numerous other organizations for limited financial resources and support. In order to compete effectively, it is imperative that only those educators who demonstrate effective communication and teaching skills, a comprehensive understanding of learning principles and community values, and meaningful knowledge of technology, be invited to work in and assume leadership roles in tomorrow’s schools.
The York College of Pennsylvania Department of Education accepts that the purposes and practices of education will continue to be questioned by professional educators and the public at large. While this process has considerable value, it is the collective view of this faculty that the educational profession itself must seek to upgrade the performance and esteem of all educators. To this end the Department of Education is committed to continually reflect upon the quality of its program and work to affect changes deemed necessary to improve undergraduate, graduate, and professional development programs.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Department of Education is to provide a faculty that facilitates effective teaching and exemplifies the best in life-long practice and professional growth and development. In addition, it is our mission:
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