2017-2018 Graduate Studies Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Education
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The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program at York College of Pennsylvania is a professional preparation program designed to prepare graduates to assume leadership roles in public and private schools. Candidates in the M.Ed. program may specialize in Educational Leadership, leading to Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification as a PK-12 Principal, leading to certification as a PK-12 Reading Specialist, or in Educational Technology, leading to either the PK-12 Educational Technology Specialist or PK-12 Online Instruction Endorsement.
The M.Ed. program is designed for working professionals. All programs employ a blended approach to instruction that includes campus-based and distance-enabled instruction in every class. All courses are offered during the evening hours, Monday through Thursday during the regular academic year, and in both day and evening formats each summer.
All M.Ed. faculty are dynamic practitioners who draw from a wealth of teaching and leadership experiences in public and private education. Adjunct faculty in our program are respected professionals currently working in positions of leadership in their fields. Students enjoy constructive individual attention from these faculty (and affiliated mentors and supervisors) in their courses, during advising, and through the many opportunities for collaboration and mentoring that distinguish the M.Ed. program at York College. Course and field experiences are authentic and directly applicable to the realities of today’s standards driven education.
Philosophy
In our society, educators play an increasingly central role in the social and intellectual development of the child and in the removal of a wide range of barriers to learning. Each member of the Department of Education is committed to developing the best educators possible.
As we move through the 21st century, the need for knowledge will continue to expand and broaden rapidly. While it is essential that students acquire the basic skills and information necessary to become effective educators, it is our belief that learning additional skills applicable to living in an increasingly technological and global society are of paramount importance in the education process. Further, we believe that graduate education should be authentic. Our course work incorporates case studies and other realistic scenarios that explore practical issues in teaching, learning and administration.
We also recognize the need to establish an effective balance between preparing our students for individual self-promotion and preparation to accept a role of responsible citizenship within the larger community. Economic and cultural forces within our society will continue to increase the strain on the dynamic tension that exists between these two objectives. It is our philosophy that we must prepare our students to function independently and cooperatively within the bounds of ethical practices, and with an acceptance of what is in the interest of the public as a whole.
Our graduates will be immersed in the view that as educators we serve as stewards of public trust and resources. It is acknowledged that education agencies will continue to compete with numerous other organizations for limited financial resources and support. In order to compete effectively, it is imperative that only those educators who demonstrate effective communication and teaching skills, a comprehensive understanding of learning principles and community values, and meaningful knowledge of technology, be invited to work in and assume leadership roles in tomorrowʼs schools.
The York College of Pennsylvania Department of Education accepts that the purposes and practices of education will continue to be questioned by professional educators and the public at large. While this process has considerable value, it is the collective view of this faculty that the educational profession itself must seek to upgrade the performance and esteem of all educators. To this end, the Department of Education is committed to continually reflect upon the quality of its program and work to affect changes deemed necessary to improve undergraduate, graduate, and professional development programs.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) program to provide specialized knowledge, further professional expertise and growth in selected educational fields. The program enables educators to meet the standards for effective data driven decisions, utilizing research-based practices, relevant technology designed to enhance student achievement in a global society. The M.Ed. program is committed to developing reflective practitioners dedicated to quality and ongoing personal and professional development.
Application Procedures
Application for admission to the M.Ed. program may be made for fall, spring, or summer sessions. To be considered for admission, applicants should forward all application materials to the M.Ed. program office no later than July 15 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission, or April 15 for summer admission. Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis.
Admission Requirements
Additional materials may be required in order for the admissions committee to evaluate a degree candidate’s credentials. Request for additional materials is typically limited to applicants who seek acceptance of transfer credits or whose application materials fail to demonstrate efficacy. All applicants to the York College of Pennsylvania Masters of Education program will be subject to approval by the Master of Education Program Office; admission of all candidates to the program will be at the discretion of the Education Department.
Types of Admission
There are three types of admission classifications in the M.Ed. program: degree candidate, conditional student, and non-degree student.
Degree Candidate
Applicants who have satisfactorily met all entrance requirements will be admitted as fully matriculated degree Certification only candidate.
A fully matriculated student is one who has:
- completed the Graduate Studies Application,
- provided all required admission documents as listed,
- interviewed with the graduate admissions committee,
- signed and returned the Acceptance Agreement form,
- received a letter of acceptance,
- registered to begin courses, and
- remained in compliance with all academic policies governing the M.Ed. program.
Conditional Student
Conditional student status is conferred on those students who have applied to the M.Ed. program, have not met the admission requirements but are admitted provisionally. In order for provisionally admitted students to convert to certification candidate status, students must meet all admission requirements of a degree candidate, must have completed no more than nine graduate credit hours and hold a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA at the time they re-apply for regular admission.
Professional Development/Act 48 Student
Students interested in engaging in professional development, maintaining their certification, or building their capacity in a specialized area may enroll in individual program courses as Professional Development / Act 48 Students. These students will not be eligible to earn a degree or certification unless they choose to re-apply to the M.Ed. program as a Degree / Certification Candidate.
Program of Study
The Master of Education program prepares educators for positions of administrative/instructional leadership in the public or private school setting. Currently, the Department of Education of York College of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Education degree with specialization in Educational Leadership (K-12 Principal Certification), Reading Specialist (K-12 Reading Specialist Certification) or Educational Technology (PK-12 Educational Technology Specialist / PK-12 Online Instruction Endorsement).
Candidates for the Master of Education degree must complete four core courses as well as the program of study developed for their area of specialization.
During the application interview/orientation, graduate students are provided with all pertinent program requirements and submission deadlines. This information is also contained in the graduate student handbook, and upcoming events are noted in the biannual newsletter. It is the responsibility of the graduate student to know all pertinent program requirements and submission deadlines. Students will be assigned a program advisor who should be consulted on a regular basis.
Candidates in the Educational Leadership program must complete either a one-semester (three credit) or two-semester (2 credits each semester) administrative internship. In as much as the internship is a capstone experience for the program, the candidate must complete all course requirements prior to beginning the internship. An Administrative Internship Manual may be obtained from the coordinator of the Educational Leadership program.
Candidates in the Reading Specialist program must complete two semesters (six credits) of practicum experience. All reading specialization courses must be completed prior to the first semester of reading practicum. Updated clearances (within one year of practicum) are required for practicum experience completed in local districts. Guidelines for reading practicum will be provided by a program advisor.
Candidates in the Educational Technology program must complete a capstone project during their internship semester. Guidelines for this project will be provided by the coordinator of the Educational Technology program.
Program-specific Policies and Procedures
Continuous Enrollment Policy - Master of Education
Students must be enrolled in either coursework or continuous enrollment two out of three semesters of a given academic year. The academic school year is defined as fall-spring-summer. A student may enroll in continuous enrollment for up to two consecutive semesters. Under certain circumstances, as approved by the director, this may be waived or extended. Students are encouraged to seek approval from their program advisor for a waiver or extension of this policy as early as possible. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment will terminate the student’s enrollment in the master’s program.
Grading, Degree Progress, and Dismissal
- Upon completion of required coursework and as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Education Degree, candidates will choose a capstone experience. Educational Leadership and Reading Specialist students will complete a comprehensive examination. Education Technology students will complete a capstone project.
- Candidates for the Master of Education degree are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average to remain in good standing, to be eligible to graduate, and to be recommended for PDE certification.
- Each studentʼs cumulative graduate grade point average is reviewed upon completion of 12 graduate credits and at the completion of each spring semester thereafter. If a studentʼs cumulative grade point average is less than 3.0 at any of these reviews, the student will then be placed on academic probation and must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average during the next nine credits or three graduate level courses.
- Courses in which a student receives a grade less than a 3.0 must be retaken in the earliest semester that the course is offered. A particular course may be retaken 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 bring the GPA up to the 3.0 level within these parameters will result in the student being suspended from the M.Ed. program. Suspended students have a right to appeal through the Department of Education.
- All students are expected to follow all York College of Pennsylvania policies in regards to academic honesty. Further, all students enrolled in the Department of Education Graduate Education Program are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and professional behavior. Violation of either the York College Academic Integrity or the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators (22Pa.Code §235.1-235.11.) will result in dismissal from the M.Ed. program.
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