Education (MA). The general purpose of the University is to provide its students with a liberal education - an education laying emphasis upon the training of the critical faculty; cultivation of a wide breadth of learning; development of the student's wholeness as an individual possessed of both body and soul. Villanova University offers several options for individuals interested in earning an MA in Education with or without PA Certification.
All programs offer a full time or part-time option.
A full or part-time program offered for teachers seeking to obtain a Master of Arts degree (special note: this program does not lead to initial teacher certification).
Potential funding opportunities are available, including graduate assistantships in student life, student success and retention, and residence life here and at other local colleges and universities.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for rthe Master of Arts in Education degree. A student may choose to take all 30 credits in Education or combine credits in Education with 9 graduate credits in a subject area or teaching field. Students must complete three one-credit workshops from a list approved for Graduate Education.
Upon receiving approval of the Department of Education and Counseling, a MA student may also undertake the writing of a thesis in lieu of six semester-hour course credits.
Prior to being awarded the degree, MA students must present a digital exit portfolio or defend a thesis.
Applicants to the Master's program in Graduate Education, Teacher Leadership or Higher Education must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
How to Apply
Applicants for the Degree Program should submit the following materials:
A description of each course can be found on the Graduate Studies Course Catalog and Course Sequence page.
EDU 8561 - Advanced Trends and Issues in Special Education (Spring Semester)
EDU 8603 - Educational Research (Fall Semester)
EDU 8641 - Assessment and Analysis (Spring Semester)
EDU 8679 - Standards Aligned Sys & Curriculum (Fall Semester)
EDU 8673 - Philosophy Education (Fall Semester)
* Core courses must be completed prior to presenting exit portfolios.
Choose from any EDU 7000 or 8000 level courses. Sample courses are among the following:
EDU 8622 - Diag. & Remed of Read. Diff.
EDU 8626 - Learn Disabilities Read
EDU 8662 - Trends Social Studies
EDU 8663 - Teaching Problem Solving Math-Science
EDU 8676 - Technology in Teaching
EDU 8678 - Multicult, Gender and Inclusion in Schools
EDU 8631 - Meth of Teaching Writing
EDU 8627 - Teaching Language Arts
EDU 8664 - Politics of Education
EDU 8669 - Comparative Education
EDU 8670 - History of Western Education
EDU 8610 - Current Issues in American Education
EDU 7676 - Education Philosophy of St Augustine
EDU 8624 - Reading Secondary School
EDU 8656 - School Law
EDU 8651 - Social Issues & Schools
EDU 8673 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 8669 - Topics in Education, Culture & Society
Up to 9 credits may be taken in Teaching Content area (such as English, Math or Biology); up to 6 credits may be taken as workshops.
Workshops: 1 Credit Each
The workshops, scheduled on Friday evenings and Saturdays, deal with specialized and current topics of interest to teachers. Sample titles for education workshops include: "Digital Literacies," Soliciting Student Voice," "Multi-tier Systems of Support," and "Design Thinking in Education."
The Master of Arts in Education with the Teacher Leadership Concentration is designed for experienced educators who are interested in assuming greater responsibility for improving student engagement and learning in their school or in their community, while continuing to serve as classroom teachers. This program helps students to hone their instructional practice, strengthen their leadership skills, and develop their facility with data analysis and policy advocacy. Graduates are prepared for positions as lead teacher, professional learning community facilitator, department chairperson, curriculum specialist, mentor, and data coach. This program is a full aor part-time program and requires the completion of 30 credits and an exit portfolio.
This program does not lead to PA Certification
Applicants to the Master's program in Graduate Education, Teacher Leadership or Higher Education must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
How to Apply
Applicants for the Degree Program should submit the following materials:
Concentration in Teacher Leadership
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for the Master's of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership.
EDU 8603 - Educational Research (Fall Semester) OR
EDU 8641 - Assessment and Analysis (Spring Semester
EDU 8561 - Advanced Trends and Issues in Special Education (Spring Semester)
EDU 8679 - Standards Aligned Sys & Curriculum (Fall Semester)
EDU 8672 - Instructional Leadership (Spring Semester)
EDU 8654 - Policy Analysis (Fall Semester)
* Core courses must be completed prior to presenting exit portfolios.
Choose from any EDU 7000 or 8000 level courses. Sample courses are among the following:
EDU 8622 - Diag. & Remed of Read. Diff.
EDU 8626 - Learn Disabilities Read
EDU 8662 - Trends Social Studies
EDU 8663 - Teaching Problem Solving Math-Science
EDU 8676 - Technology in Teaching
EDU 8678 - Multicult, Gender and Inclusion in Schools
EDU 8631 - Meth of Teaching Writing
EDU 8627 - Teaching Language Arts
EDU 8664 - Politics of Education
EDU 8669 - Comparative Education
EDU 8670 - History of Western Education
EDU 8610 - Current Issues in American Education
EDU 7676 - Education Philosophy of St Augustine
EDU 8624 - Reading Secondary School
EDU 8656 - School Law
EDU 8651 - Social Issues & Schools
EDU 8673 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 8669 - Topics in Education, Culture & Society
The Higher Education concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in college and university settings, the public policy sector, as well as organizations engaged in research, advocacy, and action pertinent to higher education. This degree requires the completion of 30 credits, including 18 in required courses and 12 in elective courses and complete an exit portfolio or successfully defend a thesis.
Potential funding opportunities are available, including graduate assistantships in student life, student success and retention, and residence life here and at other local colleges and universities.
Applicants to the Master's program in Graduate Education, Teacher Leadership or Higher Education must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
How to Apply
Applicants for the Degree Program should submit the following materials:
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for the Master's of Arts in Education with a concentration in Higher Education.
EDU 8670 - History of US Higher Education
EDU 8603 - Educational Research
EDU 8673 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 8645 - Contemporary Issues in American Higher Education
EDU XXX - 3 1-credit workshops focused on Higher Education
EDU 8644 - Leadership & Administration of Higher Education
* Core courses must be completed prior to presenting exit portfolios.
EDU 8696 - Independent study/ Leadership Practicum
EDU 8678 - Multiculturalism, Gender, and Inclusion in Schools
EDU 8654 - Policy Analysis
EDU 8561 - Advanced Trends and Issues in Special Education
EDU 8664 - Politics of Education
EDU 8669 - Comparative Education
EDU 8656 - School Law
EDU 8869 - Topics in Education, Culture and Society
EDU 8500 - Theory and Purpose of the University
EDU XXX - Additional 1-credit workshops
The Masters of Arts Degree Plus Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Program is designed for those individuals without a background in education who wish to pursue a career in teaching. The program requires thirty-four credits which include courses, field experiences including observations in the schools, and student teaching. Students upon successful completion of the program and passing the Praxis testing will earn PA secondary (7-12 grades) teaching certification.
The track is normally completed in two semesters and two summer sessions (12 months) however there is a part-time option. Both options require 12 weeks of full time student-teaching. for secondary teacher certification only.
Our program is designed to aid the student in:
Typically, applicants will have an undergraduate major in an academic subject area which they intend to teach (English, Math, etc.) If candidates want to teach a subject in which they did not earn a degree, prerequisite coursework will be necessary before entering the Master's plus Certification program.
We also encourage you to contact the Department to discuss your particular situation.
The following details the 34-credit Master of Arts in Education plus Teacher Certification course sequence. All courses will be completed in a 12-month period beginning with a summer session. A description of each course can be found in the Graduate Studies Course Catalog.
Course Name |
Course Number |
Credits |
Summer I |
|
|
Critical Perspectives in Special Education |
EDU 8400 |
3 |
Summer II |
|
|
Multiculturalism, Gender, and Inclusion in Schools |
EDU 8678 |
3 |
Summer III |
|
|
Development of the English Language Learner |
EDU 8675 |
3 |
Fall |
|
|
Philosophy of Education |
EDU 8673 |
3 |
Adolescent Psychology |
EDU 8618 |
3 |
History of American Education |
EDU 8671 |
3 |
| Teaching Methods in the Humanities, Math & Science, or Language | EDU 8550/8540/8530 |
3 |
Spring |
|
|
Educational Research |
EDU 8603 |
3 |
Curriculum and Assessment |
EDU 8614 |
3 |
Graduate Student Teaching |
EDU 8628 |
6 |
Student Teaching Seminar |
EDU 7321 |
1 |
Applications are considered on a rolling basis and require the following:
• At least an undergraduate degree in a secondary school teaching area, or the equivalent coursework*
• 3.0 GPA or higher
*Additional prerequisite courses (or the Praxis II) may be necessary based on your coursework’s alignment to PA standards. Please email a copy of your unofficial transcript to the Program Director, Dr. Teresa G.Wojcik, to determine if you will need additional coursework prior to applying. (teresa.wojcik@villanova.edu)
** The state of Pennsylvania requires that certified teachers are U.S. Citizens.
TEACHING AREA COURSES REQUIREDBelow you will find teaching area coursework required by Villanova University for an undergraduate seeking teaching certification in Pennsylvania. For students applying to the Masters Plus Certification Program with a major in their preferred teaching area from an accredited university other than Villanova, we will evaluate your transcript in comparison with these prerequisites. If your undergraduate major is different than your preferred teaching area, additional prerequisite courses will probably be necessary. Each case is considered individually. See the undergraduate course catalog for a description of the courses, or contact us to discuss your individual situation.
English/Diversity I African American Literature
English/Diversity II Women's Literature
9 additional elective credits (beyond intermediate level) - Upon completion of FRE 1121, students must take advanced courses until they have completed 30 credit hours.
Recommended: SPA 7400 Spanish Teaching Methodology
Total Minimum Credit Hours
0 additional elective credits (beyond intermediate level) - Upon completion of SPA 1121 students must take advanced courses until they have completed 30 credit hours.
Note: Two of the above advanced courses should be in Spanish language and literature.
The Higher Education Leadership Certificate is a fifteen (15) credit post-master’s program created for those interested in pursuing careers in college and university settings, the public policy sector, as well as organizations engaged in research, advocacy, and action pertinent to higher education.
Course offerings in the higher education certificate curriculum challenge students to build personal and professional capacities according to their varied backgrounds and aspirations. The program expects students to develop and demonstrate both foundational and functional competencies typically associated with organizational success, positive influence, and institutional advancement. Particular analytical and intellectual attention will be given to the relevant needs and issues of our time, with an eye to responding accordingly—replete with the tools of critical analysis and constructive solutions.
*This is not a PDE certification.
Villanova University and the Department of Education and Counseling offer a program in teacher education which can be taken either post-baccalaureate or post-Master's Degree. The Teacher Leadership Certificate* (TLC) is designed for professionals who possess a bachelor's degree, or M.Ed., M.A.T, M.A. or M.S. degrees in education or other fields.
The TLC is a fifteen (15) credit program designed for individuals who wish to develop their leadership ability for use in the classroom or in such expanded roles as lead teacher, team leader, curriculum developer, department chairperson, new teacher mentor or special project leader. It is intended for teachers who want to apply their knowledge and skill to the larger school community, yet may not want to leave their classrooms to do so.
The Teacher Leadership Certificate program benefits professionals seeking academic credits for a variety of reasons including:
*This is not a PDE certification.
EDU 8672 - Instructional Leadership
EDU 8654 - Education Policy Analysis
EDU 8664 - Politics of Education
II. 6 Elective Credits
Chooses from any of the regular EDU graduate level courses. Sample courses are among the following:
EDU 8622 - Diag. & Remed of Read. Diff.
EDU 8626 - Learn Disabilities Read
EDU 8662 - Trends Social Studies
EDU 8663 - Teaching Problem Solving Math-Science
EDU 8676 - Technology in Teaching
EDU 8678 - Multicult, Gender and Inclusion in Schools
EDU 8631 - Meth of Teaching Writing
EDU 8627 - Teaching Language Arts
EDU 8664 - Politics of Education
EDU 8669 - Comparative Education
EDU 8670 - History of Western Education
EDU 8610 - Current Issues in American Education
EDU 7676 - Education Philosophy of St Augustine
EDU 8624 - Reading Secondary School
EDU 8656 - School Law
EDU 8651 - Social Issues & Schools
EDU 8673 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 8669 - Topics in Education, Cultur
Graduate Certificate in Education is a 15 credit graduate certificate designed for:
Requirements
The program is open to post-baccalaureate students who submit a satisfactory undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution of higher education. The GRE or MAT is not required for admission, but students must meet minimum GPA requirements. Candidates must also be of good character and legal standing. No letters of recommendation will be required.
The number of credits required is 15; nine (9) credits must be fulfilled by the three required courses.
Required Courses (3):
EDU 8616 - Methods of Teaching (Optional for State-Certified Teachers)
EDU 8679 - Standards Aligned Systems and Curriculum
EDU 8561 - Advanced Trends in Special Education
Electives (2):
EDU 8610 - Current Issues in Education
EDU 8662 - Trends in the Social Studies
EDU 8669 - Comparative Education
EDU 8670 - History of Education
EDU 8673 - Philosophy of Education
EDU 8678 - Multiculturalism, Gender, and Inclusion in Schools
With the approval of the Chairperson of the Department of Education and Counseling, Education certificate students who are degree or certificate candidates in another Villanova Graduate Liberal Arts and Sciences program may use one course in that program to satisfy one elective in the Education certificate.
NOTE: No transfer credits from other institutions will be accepted for the Education certificate.
The program will be open to post-baccalaureate students who submit a satisfactory undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution of higher education. The GRE or MAT is not required for admission, but students must meet minimum GPA requirements. Candidates must also be of good character and legal standing. No letters of recommendation will be required.
This is not a PDE Certification Program and does not lead to PA Teaching Certification.
The Department of Education and Counseling offers a limited number of graduate assistantships for full-time students. These are awarded by the Dean of the Graduate School in consultation with the department chairperson and the graduate assistant coordinator. The full-time assistantship is awarded on a competitive basis and currently provides a stipend, payable in nine installments, and a waiver of all tuition and fees for a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 12 credits per semester. In return, the graduate assistant is required to work in the Department 20 hours each week and, with the exception of a Resident Assistantship, may not take additional employment on campus or elsewhere. The graduate assistant may request an extension of this position for the second year in the program. The graduate assistantship position may be used for a maximum of 48 credits.
Graduate assistants in good standing may enroll for summer study with a waiver of tuition, but no summer stipends are provided. The waiver of tuition requires 70 hours of service for six credits and 35 hours of service for three credits over the course of the summer at the discretion of the Department.
The Department of Education and Counseling offers a limited number of student positions as tuition scholars (TS), also known as part-time graduate assistants. These are awarded by the Dean of Graduate Studies in consultation with the department chairperson and the graduate assistant coordinator on a competitive basis and provide tuition remission for six credits per semester. The student is required to work in the Department 7 hours each week and may request an extension of this position for the second year in the program. Tuition scholars are not guaranteed, but typically are offered a full-time graduate assistantship position their second year.
The deadline for Education Graduate Assistant & Tuition Scholars applications is February 1st. Please note that all graduate assistant applicants must be accepted and matriculated by the February 1st deadline or they will not be considered for an assistantship.
Villanova University offers tuition reductions to teachers and other educators currently employed by a school who enroll in the MA and MA+ Certification program along with most other graduate programs in the arts and sciences.
40% for those employed as teachers, counselors or administrators by Catholic schools;
20% for those employed as teachers, counselors or administrators by non-Catholic schools.
Please contact us to make an appointment to visit our department at your convenience. You can also email us at edhus@villanova.edu
You may wish to attend a Virtual Information Session.
We look forward to meeting you.
