The University of Scranton offers eight master s degree programs in the field of education: early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, special education, school administration (principal certification K-12), school counseling, reading, and curriculum and instruction.  In addition, we offer programs designed to prepare elementary, secondary, and school counseling supervisors, as well as school superintendents.  

 Graduate study can prepare students for advancement or career change, and it can improve effectiveness in the classroom as well as enhancing professional satisfaction.   Education Department faculty are committed to a model of teacher as both a scholar and a decision maker, a model which gives educators the tools and the experience necessary for effective classroom decision making as well as a predisposition for life long learning.    Additionally, obtaining an advanced degree often provides an additional educational certification as well as incremental gains on a school s pay scale.  Some individuals without previous teaching experience may wish to combine their master s studies with the pursuit of a teaching certificate.

 The Department of Education is committed to improving education by preparing informed, inquiring, and skilled professionals who, as scholars and decision- makers, are ready to take their place as leaders in the educational community.   The department endeavors to offer opportunities for continued professional growth to practicing educators, to assist in the educational growth and development of the community served by the University, and to foster the advancement of knowledge through research in education.

The University of Scranton s programs in education are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).   Accreditation and interstate agreements help to ensure that certification earned through a program at the University of Scranton will be accepted by most U.S. states.  

Graduate Programs in Education

Early Childhood Education The Master of Science program in early childhood education is designed to meet the rapidly growing interest in providing high-quality developmentally appropriate programs for young children.  The program offers three options for students who have an interest in working professionally with young children and their families.   Option 1 is designed for students who hold a valid certificate in early childhood education and choose to work towards a master s degree in the field.  Option II is designed for students who hold a valid certificate in elementary education and choose to pursue a master s degree in early childhood education.  Option III is a teacher preparation program in early childhood education for students who do not have initial certification in either elementary or early childhood education.

Elementary Education - Our master s degree program in elementary education is designed to appeal to both current teachers and people in other professions who are interested in becoming certified for elementary instruction (Pennsylvania, K-6).  The Elementary Education program has two options.  Option 1 is available to individuals who already hold a valid instructional certificate in another area.  Option II is available to individuals who do not hold an instructional certificate.

Secondary Education -  The secondary education program can also be pursued by those new to the field of education as well as teachers advancing their knowledge.   Secondary Education concentrations leading to certification with a master s degree are:

Biology	English	German	Physics
Chemistry	French	Latin	Citizenship
Communications	General Science	Mathematics	Spanish

Special Education -  Our special education program prepares students for Pennsylvania certification in Special Education: Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities (CBP/HD).   It is a broad certification encompassing 9 of the 13 disability areas identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) grades N-12.

School Administration (Principal Certification) - The administration program is designed to prepare principals for grades K-12.  An applicant should hold a valid instructional or educational specialist certificate.

School Counseling - As a school counselor you will provide professional services aimed at meeting the educational, personal, and social needs of elementary or secondary students both developmentally and in crisis situations.   Students completing the program are eligible for the Pennsylvania School Counselor s certificate.

Reading - This program gives you a master s degree in reading.   In addition, the program along with requisite passing scores on the Praxis test leads to certification as a reading specialist.

Curriculum and Instruction -  The Curriculum and Instruction program is open to individuals who already hold a valid instructional certificate.  Individuals in the program may pursue either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree.  

Supervision - You can become certified as a supervisor in reading, biology, physics, science, English, foreign languages, mathematics, chemistry, citizenship education, communication and school guidance.   To obtain a certificate in supervision, you must first hold a valid teaching certificate in the appropriate area of concentration.

Superintendent s Letter of Eligibility - This program is designed to develop superintendents and assistant superintendents competent to plan, monitor, and evaluate activities touching many roles.  Courses and experiences emphasize that education is a human process requiring group support and involvement if administration is to be successful.

 REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

• Completion of your chosen program s course requirements

• Successful completion of a comprehensive examination

• Passing scores on Praxis exams necessary for certification

• A 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)

• Complete an approved scholarly paper or other professional contribution (MA degree only)

CURRICULUM

The specific courses needed for your master s degree vary-depending upon the program in which you enroll.  Each graduate student will be assigned a faculty mentor who will assist the student in planning a course of study.  

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A completed application form, $50 fee

• Bachelor's Degree, minimum GPA 3.0 (4.0 scale)

• Official undergraduate and any graduate degree transcripts

• Three letters of recommendation

• TOEFL score required for international students

FACULTY PROFILES

Bonnie Alco (Lecturer)
B.A. Marywood College
M.A. University of Maryland

Dona Baumann (Assistant Professor)
B.S. Shippensburg University
M.Ed. Kutztown University
Ph.D. Temple University

Joseph Cannon (Professor)
B.S. University of Scranton
M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. studies Pennsylvania State University
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Arthur Chambers (Lecturer)
B.S. State University of New York at Cortland
M.S. State University of New York at Cortland

Barbara Cozza (Associate Professor)
B.F.A. Hunter College
M.S. Hunter College
Ph.D. Fordham University 

Joseph Fusaro (Professor)
B.A. Rider College
M.Ed. University of Vermont
Ed.D. State University of New York at Albany

Patricia Gross (Associate Professor)
B.A. Marymount College
M.A.T. Fordham University
P.D. St. John's University
Ed.D. Columbia University

Timothy Hobbs (Associate Professor)
B.A. Sonoma State College
M.A. Sonoma State College
Ph.D. Florida State University 

Deborah Eville Lo (Associate Professor)
Department Chair
B.S. Florida State University
M.S. Florida State University
Ph.D. University of Chicago

Tata Mbugua (Assistant Professor)
B.A. Nairobi University
M.A. Ohio University
Ph.D. Ohio University

Kathleen Montgomery (Associate Professor)
B.S. Mansfield University
M.A. George Washington University
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University

Rebecca Murley (Lecturer)
B.S. Mansfield University
M.S. Wilkes University

Michele Ohlsen (Assistant Professor)
B.S. East Stroudsburg University
M.A. East Stroudsburg University
Ed.D. Lehigh University

Vanessa Silla-Zaleski (Assistant Professor)
B.S. University of Scranton
M.A. University of Scranton
Ed.D. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Derry Stufft (Assistant Professor)
B.A. Rutgers College
M.A. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ed.D. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Kathleen Wasserman (Assistant Professor)
B.S. University of California
M.A. University of Southern Mississippi
Ph.D. University of California

Gloria Tansits-Wenze (Assistant Professor)
B.S. Mansfield State College
M.A. California State University
Ph.D. University of New Mexico
Ed.S. University of New Mexico

David Wiley (Professor)
B.S. Temple University
M.S. Temple University
Ed.D. Temple University