Graduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences and Education

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Mission

Graduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences and 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.

Application Procedures

Application for admission to the Graduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences and Education 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 *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 Behavioral Sciences and Education, 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 Behavioral Sciences and Education. 

Types of Admission

There are four types of admission classifications in the program: degree candidate, certificate candidate, Early-Entrance - “4+1” candidate, and continuing education candidate.

Degree Candidate

Degree candidates hold an undergraduate degree and are eligible to complete a Master of Education degree.  Candidates may also be eligible to earn certifications and/or endorsements from external organizations if qualified. 

Certificate Candidate

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate candidates hold an undergraduate degree.  Post-Masters Certificate candidates hold a masters degree.  Candidates may also be  eligible to earn certifications, and/or endorsements from external organizations if qualified.

Early-Entrance -(4+1) Candidate

Some graduate degree programs within the School of Behavioral Science and Education admit highly motivated undergraduates to the program as Early-Entrance Candidates. Accepted Early Entrance Candidates may enroll in up to nine credits of graduate course work following their completion of 75 credits of undergraduate coursework. These courses will contribute to the credit total required for the undergraduate degree, as well as, meet requirements for the graduate degree.  Graduate courses taken at the undergraduate level, may be applied to undergraduate program courses as substitutions if approved as course substitutions by the department chair of the affected undergraduate program.  Tuition for these courses is billed at the undergraduate rate or included in the full-time tuition rate, if applicable.

• An undergraduate student may apply for admission once 75 credits have been completed, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.  This is typically in the spring semester of the junior year.  A recommendation must be satisfactorily completed by the applicant’s undergraduate advisor, confirming their viability as a Graduate Early Entrance Candidate.
• Interested students should complete and submit the online Graduate Studies Application and indicate their status as Early-Entrance candidates.
• Upon admission as an Early Entrance Candidate, a student meets with the program director affiliated with their selected graduate program, who will, in consultation with the student’s undergraduate academic advisor, determine how the graduate courses fit into the students undergraduate program and help design a program of study. 
• Transfer students may apply for admission to the Graduate Early Entrance (4+1) program, when they have completed 75 total credits, 15 of which were completed at York College.
• Students who have already earned one baccalaureate degree, and are pursuing a second degree, are not eligible for the Graduate Early Entrance (4+1) program.

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 Behavioral Sciences and Education are designed for working professionals and/or full-time undergraduate Early Entrance Candidates. All courses employ an engaged online instructional modality. During the regular academic year, synchronous course meeting windows are designated Monday through Thursday during the evening hours. Each summer, synchronous meeting windows may be designated in both daytime and evening formats from Monday through Friday. Synchronous course meetings are facilitated with video conference software. All courses also include asynchronous activity.

Programs of Study

Graduate programs in Behavioral Sciences and Education prepare highly effective practitioners with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers and serve the institutions and communities in which they work.  Candidates may complete Master of Education Degree programs, Post-Master’s Certificates, and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates.

Master of Education Degree Specializations

The School of Behavioral Science and Education at York College of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Education degree with six available specializations, including: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis, M.Ed. *accredited as a verified course sequence from the Association for Behavior Analysis International
• Diversity and Student Resilience, M.Ed. *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Educational Leadership, M.Ed. *qualified educators may concurrently earn the School Principal Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Educational Technology, M.Ed. *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Educational Technology Specialist Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Effective Teaching, M.Ed. *Pennsylvania certified educators may be eligible for PDE endoursements and certificates depending on their curriculum selections.
• Reading Specialist, M.Ed. *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Reading Specialist Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Post-Master’s Certificate

The School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at York College of Pennsylvania, offers one Post-Masters Certificate Program:

• Post-Masters certificate -Applied Behavior Analysis *accredited as a verified course sequence from the Association of Behavior Analysis International

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

The School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at York College of Pennsylvania, offers five Post-Baccalaureate Certificates, including:

• Educational Leadership *qualified educators may concurrently earn the School Principal Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Educational Technology *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Instructional Technology Specialist Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Master Teacher *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Skills for Teacher Leaders Endorsement (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Reading Specialist *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Reading Specialist Certification (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Youth Resilience *qualified educators may concurrently earn the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement (PK-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Educators who hold valid Pennsylvania Instructional I, Instructional II, or Administrative Certifications at the conclusion of their programs, successfully complete all designated courses, and pass any required state assessments, are eligible to independently apply for their desired certification or Endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Applied Behavior Analysis candidates, both degree and certificate, who successfully complete the York College verified course sequence and document the completion of their requisite supervision hours are eligible to independently apply to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to sit for the ABA examination and, after receiving a passing score on this examination, become a Borad Certified Behavior Analyst (credential awarded by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board).

Course Embedded Field Experience

Candidates for PDE credentials must complete the course-embedded field 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 activity designated for their desired credential to be approved as a successful candidate to PDE.

Education Foundations and Capstone Performances

Degree candidates must complete four Education Foundations courses, as well as, the courses designated in their selected professional core.

Degree and credential candidates who elect the Educational Leadership specialization must complete either a one-semester (three credits) or two-semester (two credits each semester), administrative internship.  Candidates must complete all course requirements prior to beginning the internship.  An Administrative Internship Manual will be provided by the Program Leader of the Educational Leadership program.

Degree and credential candidates who elect the Reading Specialization 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 any practicum experiences completed in local districts.  Guidelines for reading practicum will be provided by The Program Leader of the Reading Specialist Program.

Degree credential candidates who elect the Educational Technology Specialization must complete a capstone project during their internship semester.  Guidelines for this project will be provided by the Program Leader of the Educational Technology Program.

Degree candidates who elect the Diversity and Resilience Specialization must complete a capstone project during their research seminar semester.  Guidelines for this project will be provided by the Program Leader of the Diversity and Student Resilience Program.

Degree Candidates who elect the Effective Teaching Specialization must complete a capstone project during the semesters in which they enroll in the Education Innovation Practicum.

External Credentials York College of Pennsylvania is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award 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

Professional Dispositions

The professional orientation  of our programs necessitates the maintenance of professional dispositions while participating in any course or program events and in all communications associated with program activities.  These dispositions include:  

• Competence in written and oral expression
• Ethical, moral character
• Personal organization
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to accept and profit from constructive criticism
• Use of prudent judgment
• Class attendance

If, at any time, a member of the faculty or course instructor becomes concerned about a lack of development in any of these identified attributes within a student, a Departmental Action meeting will be scheduled with the candidate, program director, graduate director, and/or the Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education.  The meeting will communicate the required immediate and observable steps to address improvement.  Continuation in the program will be determined by the candidate’s ability to successfully address the identified concerns.

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. 
• 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 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 dismessed 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 professional dispositions, York College Academic Integrity Policy, or the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators (22Pa.Code §235.1-235.11.) will result in dismissal from the graduate program.

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