College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
About CHESS
Read our mission and vision statements, and discover the Franciscan values that comprise the foundation of an Alvernia education.
Our Faculty
Our faculty take pride in creating a supportive home that fosters compassionate, socially responsible leaders prepared to solve the hardest of today’s societal challenges.
Education program earns top national ranking
Alvernia is one of three universities in PA to earn an “A” in a recent report.
Getting Started
College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Departments
Baccalaureate
• Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
• Addictions and Mental Health Treatment (Adult Education)
Adult Education Certificate
Baccalaureate
• Film, Culture and the Creative Arts
• Journalism
• Media Design and Production
• Public Relations and Advertising
• Sports Media
• Strategic Communications
• Digital Media Marketing (Adult Education)
Minors
Baccalaureate
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Criminal Justice Administration (Adult Education)
Minor
Baccalaureate
• Early Childhood Education (PK-4)
• Early Childhood Education (PK-4) (Adult Education)
• Early Childhood (PK-4) & Special Education
• Early Childhood PK-4 & Special Ed PK-12 (Adult Education)
Masters
• Master of Education programs
•
Certificates
• Special Education Certification
• Teaching English as a Second Language Certification
Graduate Certificate
• Disabilities and Inclusive Communities
• English as a Second Language Program Specialist
It’s a competitive world — set yourself apart! Participating in Alvernia’s Honors Program can make a big impression when applying for your first job or grad school by demonstrating superior academic abilities, commitment and motivation to take on challenging work, and desirable leadership skills.
Doctorate
• Leadership
Masters
• Organizational Leadership
Graduate Certificates
• Organizational Leadership
Minors
Helping Professions in CHESS
Students interesting in obtaining a degree in counseling or other helping professions will find plenty to choose from at Alvernia.
Psychology professor believes fun activities are fair play
Associate Professor of Psychology Erin Way has pretty much always been interested in gaining a better understanding of people – what makes them tick, so to speak. Especially children. Having a mother who was a kindergarten teacher certainly fueled...
Celebrated Philadelphia group taps Alvernia grad to be its first full-time medical social worker
As Daria Podell ’24, MSW ’25 was wrapping up her internship at the Black Doctors Consortium during her accelerated master’s in social work, she sought out recommendations for her job search.Podell, 25, was met with puzzlement from Dr. Ala Stanford...
'Power of connection' helps nonprofit founder forge ahead, earn master's degree
Life kept happening. It’s what kept Ebony McNeil MAOL '25 from pursing his master’s degree for so long.Until he met Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP, chief operating officer of the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship an...
Return to school after three-decade break fulfills life's calling
Back in the mid-1990s, Thomas Wickersham got a taste of his life’s calling — educating struggling teens.“I loved it,” the 54-year-old West Chester resident said. “I found out that this is what I should be doing. I was a natural. I had very good in...
Alvernia University breaks ground on American House renovation at Reading CollegeTowne
Renovation will expand healthcare access, experiential learning and inclusive workforce development in downtown Reading
Scholarship Luncheon celebrates excellence and Alvernia momentum
Admitted students and families connect with campus leaders as recruitment continues to climb
Alvernia renews Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
Recognition affirms 40-hour service requirement, CollegeTowne partnerships and mission-driven impact
Alvernia launches online Ed.D. in Transformative Education
New doctoral program prepares educational leaders for applied, innovative change; first cohort begins fall 2026
