Graduate Programs - Secondary Education | Graduate Certification

Program Highlights in Brief
Alvernia is a Catholic, Franciscan college dedicated to the ideals of service in the helping professions. Our rich heritage of service is rooted in our strong faith which resonates in contemporary ways in campus life and our academic programs. Alvernia's graduate programs are designed for the focused working professional who places equal value on intellectual achievement and professional growth. Our faculty and staff are committed to teaching, guiding, and supporting our students in all aspects of their experience at Alvernia, from course selection and scheduling, to connecting with peers and colleagues.

The Secondary Education Graduate Certification prepares students to teach grades seventh through twelfth. This program combines educational theory with studies in curriculum, methods, and teaching strategies. Approved by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, the program prepares students for certification to teach in secondary schools.

Secondary Education students select a concentration for certification from the following disciplines: Biology, Business, Computer and Information Technology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies.

Academic Quality
Students are admitted to the College and are fully accepted into the Secondary Education Graduate Certification Program when the following criteria have been met:
• Successful completion of undergraduate coursework
     • Six (6) semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of undergraduate mathematics
     • Six (6) semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of undergraduate English composition and        British or American literature
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• Successful completion of the PRAXIS I Tests
• Completion of graduate entrance application with supporting documentation Education students   complete two field placements and a student teaching experience. All coursework must be   completed prior to student teaching. Applicants for the student teaching assignment must have   the approval of the Education Department and an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or   higher. Each candidate for certification must pass the PRAXIS II Subject Tests within the first six   credits of graduate coursework.

Career Success
At Alvernia we measure our success by our graduates' personal and professional satisfaction, and by the ways they contribute to the greater good in all areas of society. Our graduates are employed in virtually all schools in Berks County, and in many schools throughout the middle Atlantic region. No matter what your aspirations and dreams, we'll give you the tools and support to help you thrive.

Career Opportunities
Education Consultant
Education Management Specialist
Education and Training Administrator
Educational Researcher
Educational Resource Coordinator
Resource Teacher
Secondary School Teacher
Textbook Writer
Tutor


Curriculum Overview

Secondary Teacher Certification Requirements
MED 501 Foundations of Teaching, Curriculum Design and Assessment*
MED 505 Introduction to Special Needs Students*
MED 508 Advanced Educational Psychology*
MED 515 Strategies for the Special Education/Inclusive Classroom
MED 540 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for Adolescents
MED 545 Classroom Management for the Inclusive Classroom
MED 615 Literacy Learning in the Content Areas
(MED 660 Teaching Strategies for Business, Computer and Info. Tech.
OR
MED 661 Teaching Strategies for Secondary English
OR
MED 662 Teaching Strategies for Secondary Mathematics
OR
MED 663 Teaching Strategies for Secondary Social Studies
OR
MED 664 Teaching Strategies for Secondary Science)
*These classes are to be taken prior to those listed below them
Additional coursework may be required in the content area.

In addition to demonstrated competency in the core and concentration courses listed, an
Instructional I candidate needs to complete:
MED 522 Field Experience (Practicum I)
     - Minimum 30 clock hours of field work to be completed in conjunction with MED 501
MED 523 Field Experience (Practicum II)
     - Minimum 30 clock hours of field to be completed in conjunction with MED 515 or MED 615
MED 670 Student Teaching
MED 672 Student Teaching Seminar

Required graduate courses to complete a Masters in Education
COR 510 Moral Leadership
COR 600 Organizational and Professional Ethics
MED 518 Quantitative Research Methods
MED 520 Educators as Researchers (Prerequisite: MED 518)
MED 610 School Law and Social Advocacy
MED 680 Research Seminar (Prerequisite: MED 520)