Graduate Degree Programs

The School of Education at Holy Family University offers Pennsylvania Department of Education approved graduate programs designed to meet the needs of students in a variety of subject areas. Our programs are tailored to students with different backgrounds. We serve experienced teachers seeking to add additional certification as well as those individuals seeking certification as part of a career change. 

Graduate Studies Admission Requirements

Student must possess the following qualifications for admission to any of the Master of Education Programs:

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited University or university.
  2. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. If the undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, the student must submit scores from the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test information is available in the Graduate Studies Office, HFH 102.
  3. The application includes: a statement of goals, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a $25 application fee.

Return to Graduate Admissions for more information on admission requirements.

Act 48

After completing course work at Holy Family University that you intend to use to comply with the requirements of ACT 48, please note the following procedures. Download the  Request for Act 48 Course Reporting form, complete the form, and send it to:

Associate Dean
School of Education
Holy Family University
Grant & Frankford Avenues
Philadelphia, PA 19114

Transfer of Credit

A graduate student, who wants to take course work off campus from another university and transfer the credit to Holy Family University after being admitted to the graduate program, must receive written permission before he/she enrolls in the course. Forms are available in ETC 445 or from an Education advisor. The maximum allowable transfer is 6 credits. 

Holy Family University offers the following graduate degree programs:

Master of Education (General)
The general master's degree is especially designed for those educators seeking an opportunity to study new areas of education and expand their coursework in areas of special interest. 

Master of Education with Pennsylvania certification, Level 1 PK-4
Designed for individuals who have undergraduate degrees in fields other than education. This degree opens the door to a career in teaching grades pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. While earning a Master of Education degree, students also meet the state requirements for PK-4 education teacher certification.

Master of Education with Pennsylvania certification, Level 1 Middle Level 4-8
Designed for individuals who have undergraduate degrees in fields other than education. This degree opens the door to a career in teaching grades four through eight. While earning a Master of Education degree, students also meet the state requirements for middle level education teacher certification.

Master of Education with Pennsylvania certification, Level 1,  Secondary Education
Designed for the University graduate who has little or no background in education and who wishes to receive a Master's degree and level I Certification as a secondary education teacher in Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Social Studies (History, Sociology, or Psychology emphasis), and Spanish. 

Master of Education with certification in Special Education PK-8 OR Secondary 7-12 
This program is designed for those with prior teaching certification in Pennsylvania seeking an additional certificate in Special Education PK-8 or Secondary 7-12.

Master of Education in Special Education - Advanced Practice
Designed for students who have certification in Special Education and wish to complete a graduate degree which includes advanced courses in Special Education.

Autism Endorsement Program
Designed for students who have a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Certificate and wish to complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved endorsement program involving educational programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of the endorsement is to document knowledge in new and existing areas where formal certification does not exist. The program endorsement certificate is intended to improve a teacher’s skills in dealing with complex classroom settings to include autism spectrum disorders.

Holy Family University offers the four course requirement (maximum 12 credits) along with a supervised field placement of 80 hours total (20 hours attached to each course) needed to obtain the state endorsement.

Master of Education with Pennsylvania Reading Specialist certification OR Reading Specialist certification without a degree
For the experienced teacher already holding a teacher certificate, this program offers an opportunity to learn new ways to assist students in learning to read, write, and communicate effectively. 

Reading Supervisor (Pennsylvania) Certification
This program is for those individuals with a Master’s Degree in Reading and five years of professional school experience in that field. The certificate entitles a person to function between the school administration and certified professional staff of a public school in developing, implementing and supervising the K-12 reading program. The primary focus of the program is to provide individuals with a strong theoretical base in educational administration and reading programs, and the opportunity for practical application of that theory in real school situations. The end result will be school leaders who have the professional tools and characteristics to lead our school reading programs. 

Master of Education Degree with Pennsylvania Principal Certification or Principal Certification/No Degree 
These programs are for those individuals with a professional school certificate and at least three years of professional school experience, and a strong desire to accept the challenge as an educational leader in either an elementary or secondary school. The program is intended to identify and nurture aspiring school leaders who can provide the vision and leadership needed to transform schools into dynamic learning communities. The primary focus of the program is to provide individuals with a strong theoretical base in educational administration and opportunities for practical application of that theory in real school situations. The end result will be school leaders who have the professional tools and characteristics to lead our schools of the future. All Candidates must have at least three years teaching experience to enter this master's degree and state certification program. Candidates who already have an earned master's degree can enter the program for Principal Certification only. 

Master of Education in TESOL and Literacy
This program provides a through treatment of the fundamental concepts and practices of English as a Second Language pedagogy, including language; culture; planning, implementing, and managing instruction; assessment; and professionalism. In addition, the program provides students with a strong foundation in the theories of reading and writing in both a first and second language. Emphasis is placed on practical knowledge to promote literacy development for second language learners and strategies to assist English Language Learners (ELLs) in the different stages of second language acquisition, including achieving the development of academic language.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Pennsylvania Program Specialist Certificate for Teachers
Holy Family University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) Pennsylvania Program Specialist Certificate to qualified Pennsylvania teachers.

Candidates for an ESL Pennsylvania Program Specialist Certificate must hold a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Certificate to be eligible for this program. Candidates wishing to teach English as a Second Language in elementary settings must hold an elementary or reading specialist certification. Those wishing to teach in a secondary setting must be certified in English or as a reading specialist.

To obtain an ESL Pennsylvania Program Specialist Certificate, the candidate must receive a signed Letter of ESL Training Completion through Holy Family University. This Letter of Completion will be issued when the candidate demonstrates that he or she has developed knowledge of the fundamental concepts and practice of ESL instruction and services. Demonstrating the required state competencies can be accomplished through different paths, depending on previous coursework or professional experience.

doctoral programDoctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Professional Studies

 

 

Teacher Intern Certificate
The Pennsylvania Teacher Intern Certificate is designed specifically for individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree. It can be used by students who majored in a content area other than education during their undergraduate work and now seek to become a certified teacher. For example, if you have an undergraduate degree in biology you can obtain credentials to certify you as a biology teacher for up to three years as you complete the secondary education certification courses required for an Instructional I certificate. This certification will permit you to obtain a teaching position as a certified teacher while you complete the coursework requirements.

Holy Family University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to recommend Teacher Intern Certificates in the following areas: Art (PK-12), Biology(7-12), English(7-12), Math(7-12), Social Studies(7-12), PK-4 Early Childhood, 4-8 Middle Level (All Concentration areas), Special Education PK-8, Special Education 7-12.

Students seeking a PA Intern Certificate must possess a baccalaureate degree related to the area of certification requested, apply for admission to the graduate program at Holy Family University, and meet the Graduate School entrance requirements. Admission to Graduate School is separate from Teacher Intern Certification. You may start graduate coursework while preparing to meet the requirements for the Teacher Intern Certificate. Additional requirements that must be met before applying for the PA Intern Certificate include:

  • All who apply for certification must also pass the appropriate Praxis, or PECT tests content area tests required for the specific certificate.

  • All who apply must present written documentation that they have secured a teaching placement or are being considered for a placement should the intern certificate be obtained.

Upon acceptance into the graduate program and completion of the appropriate Praxis or PECT testing, you should apply for your intern certification using the on-line system operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is called the Teacher Information Management System or TIMS.

To maintain your certificate you must be continuously enrolled (minimum of 9 credits per year) in required education courses leading to an Instructional I certificate at Holy Family University. The Teacher Intern Certificate is issued for a period not to exceed 3 years and is non-renewable. During the first two semesters of teaching with an intern certificate you will be required to complete 3 credits of supervised student teaching each semester.

Note: Application for Instructional I certification may be submitted after successfully completing all course requirements.