Program Missions and Learning Outcomes
Graduate Programs in Education
Graduate Programs in Education provide bachelor’s and master’s degree-holding candidates access to specialized expertise, avenues to earn advanced professional credentials, and opportunities to earn advanced degrees in their fields. Our programs are distinctive for their focus on reflective practice, their emphasis on experiential learning in professional contexts, and by the individualized attention students receive from our experienced and respected faculty in their courses, during advising, and through the many opportunities for collaboration and mentoring that exists in all of our programs.
Master of Public Policy and Administration Degree Program
The mission of the Master of Public Policy and Administration Program at York College of Pennsylvania is to advance the public’s wellbeing through the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective public policies. Our program provides public service education and training to individuals seeking or already working in government, nonprofit, or advocacy related careers. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for leadership and problem-solving roles in their organizations and communities. This is achieved through educating students on the methods, techniques, strategies, and experiences they can use to understand challenging policy
and administrative problems ss they develop appropriate and applicable solutions in response, by promoting and supporting a culture of research excellence with the goal of improving the state and local policy process. Our program engages policymakers to recruit graduates, partner with the Program, and use research opportunities to inform decision-making.
Master of Entertainment Marketing and Production Degree Program
The mission of the Master of Entertainment Marketing and Production (MEMP) Program is to assist student’s in distinguishing themselves in a competitive entertainment industry by providing education and training to individuals seeking or already working in music production, talent management, event promotions, venue management, music product manufacturing, content licensing, or related careers. Students are offered opportunities and experiences to learn the methods, techniques, and strategies to understand different approaches to entertainment marketing and management of cultural products and how to promote and support a culture of research excellence with the goal of improving the way music and other forms of entertainment are produced and consumed. Graduates of the program will be prepared for leadership and problem-solving roles in their organizations and communities. Our program engages companies to recruit graduates, partner with the Program, and utilize .research opportunities to inform decision-making.
Application Procedures
Application for admission to the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences programs may be made for fall, spring, or summer sessions. To be considered for admission, applicants should submit their applications and all required supporting materials to the York College Graduate Admissions Office at least 10 business days prior to the start of their anticipated entry semester. Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis.
Admission Requirements
- Completed Application
- Statement of professional and academic goals
- Two positive professional recommendations
- Official undergraduate transcript demonstrating the possession of a Bachelor’s Degree with a GPA of “3.0”
- Official graduate transcripts (if applicable)
- Current professional resume
- Current Pennsylvania Teaching Certification (if applicable to the program)
*Pennsylvania certified educators may be eligible for PDE endorsements and certificates depending on their curriculum selections
Additional materials may be required in order for the admissions committee to evaluate a degree candidate’s credentials. Requests for additional materials are typically limited to applicants who seek acceptance of transfer credits or whose application materials fall short of the minimum expectations. Applicants to any graduate program within the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences will be subject to approval by the Graduate Program Office; admission of all candidates to the program will be at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Programs in the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences.
Types of Admission
There are four types of admission classifications: degree candidate, certificate candidate, Early-Entrance - “4+1” candidate, and continuing education candidate.
- Degree Candidate: Degree candidates (M.Ed. and MPPA) in the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences must hold an undergraduate degree to be eligible for admission. Candidates may also be eligible to earn certifications, and/or endorsements from external accreditors if they meet the criteria designated by those accreditors.
- Certificate Candidate: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate candidates must hold an undergraduate degree to be eligible for admission. Post-Master’s Certificate candidates must hold a master’s degree to be eligible for admission. Candidates may also be eligible to earn certifications, and/or endorsements from external accreditors if they meet the criteria designated by those accreditors.
- Early-Entrance (4+1) Candidate: Undergraduate students may apply for early-entrance to the Applied Behavior Analysis program and Public Policy and Administration Programs. Admissions requirements for early-entrance students are summarized in the Admissions section of the Graduate and Professional Programs Catalog.
- Continuing Education Candidate: Students interested in engaging in professional development, maintaining their certification, or building their capacity in a specialized area, may enroll in up to 9 credits of individual program courses as Continuing Education Candidates. These students will not be eligible to earn a degree or certification unless they choose to re-apply to a program as Degree or Certificate Candidates.
Admissions Requirements for Continuing Education Candidates
- Completed Graduate Studies Application
- Statement of applicant’s professional and academic goals
- Official undergraduate transcript(s)
- Instruction Modalities
- Graduate programs in the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences are designed for working professionals and/or full-time undergraduate Early Entrance Candidates. All courses employ an engaged online instructional modality. During fall, spring, and summer sessions, synchronous course meeting windows are designated Monday through Thursday during the evening hours. Synchronous course meetings are facilitated with video conference software. All courses also include asynchronous activity.
Course Embedded Field Experience
Candidates for PDE credentials must complete the course-embedded field experience activities associated with their coursework. These activities are aligned to PDE competencies and require candidates to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in their courses in real-world contexts. These performances are documented independently of coursework with digital portfolios. Candidates for PDE credentials must complete all course-embedded field experience activities designated for their desired credential to be approved as a successful candidate to PDE.
External Credentials
York College of Pennsylvania is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award Doctorate Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Post-Masters Certificates, and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates. Other credentials, such as certifications and endorsements, are awarded by external accreditors. While the curricula of many York College programs are approved by these accreditors, these credentials often include requirements beyond the successful completion of these curricula. Admission to a degree or certificate program at York College does not guarantee a candidate eligibility to be awarded a certification or endorsement from an external accreditor. It is the responsibility of each candidate to understand, and meet, the requirements of any external certification or endorsement they wish to earn.
Policies and Procedures
Academic Professionalism
The professional orientation of graduate and professional programs in the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences necessitates the maintenance of professional dispositions by students while participating in course or program activity and in and in all communications made as a student. These dispositions include:
- Competence in written and oral expression
- Ethical, moral character
- Professional comportment during synchronous course activity
- Personal organization Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to accept and profit from constructive criticism
- Use of prudent judgment
- Class attendance
If a course instructor, advisor, or program director becomes aware of a pattern of academic behavior from a student in which these dispositions are not being displayed by a student, a professional dispositions meeting will be scheduled by the program director. Attendees will include the student, Program Director, Graduate Director, the associated School Dean and/or the Assistant Provost for Graduate and Professional Programs. The meeting will communicate the area(s) in which the student fell short of the Academic Professionalism required of students in the program. The program director will document the required immediate and observable steps to address improvement in a formal memo delivered via email after this meeting. Continuation in the program will be determined by the candidate’s ability to successfully address the identified concerns. Failure to maintain the professional dispositions designated in the formal letter may result in an administrative removal from the program. Administrative removal will be initiated by the program director with the approval of the associated School Dean and/or the Assistant Provost for Graduate and Professional Programs.
Grading, Degree Progress, and Dismissal
- Degree, Certificate, and Early Entrance Candidates are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average to remain in good standing and be eligible to earn a degree or certificate.
- Students who fail to achieve at least a 2.0 in their first 6 credits are placed on probation, Students who are placed on probation and who do not raise their GPA above a 3.0 in the next 6 credits will be dismissed from the program.
- If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 at any time, the student may be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average during the next nine credits or three graduate level courses. Students who are placed on probation and who do not raise their GPA above a 3.0 in the next 9 credits will be dismissed from the program.
- Courses in which a student receives a grade less than a 2.5 must be retaken in the earliest semester that the course is offered. A particular course may be retaken only one time. The student is permitted to repeat no more than two courses total. If a course is retaken, both grades will be recorded on the transcript, but only the highest grade is used in calculating the GPA. Failure to earn a 2.5 or higher on the second attempt of a retaken course will result in the student being dismissed from their program.
- All students are expected to follow all York College of Pennsylvania policies in regards to academic honesty and professional dispositions. Further, all students enrolled in the Graduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences and Education are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and professional behavior. Violation of the program Academic Professionalism dispositions, York College Academic Integrity Policy, or the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators (22Pa.Code §235.1-235.11.) may result in dismissal from the graduate program.
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