Department Contact:
Director: Mrs. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068
Program Description:
The Supervisor Special Education program provides advanced professional study and the opportunity to pursue certification as a Special Education supervisor to candidates with an Instructional certificate in special education. The program is designed to develop school leaders who can respond to the changing needs of the community they serve by providing visionary, instructional and administrative leadership.
The program strives to prepare future administrators to provide visionary leadership, instructional leadership and administrative leadership.
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 2 years of part-time study
Accreditation Statement:
The teacher preparation and certification programs offered at Saint Francis University at the undergraduate and graduate level are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17126; (717)783-6788. PDE approved preparation programs are designed to prepare and certify educators to teach or serve in the schools of the Commonwealth. www.education.pde.gov
Admission Requirements:
Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education department will review all applicants throughout the year and candidates will receive an acceptance letter from the Director. In order to be considered for application, applicants must submit the following information:
- Online Application and $30 application fee made payable to Saint Francis University;
- Two letters of professional recommendation;
- Official transcripts with a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0;
- Copy of Instructional Certificate (must be in Special Education);
- Philosophy of Educational Leadership;
- Ideally, have completed five (5) years of professional school experience; minimally, have completed three (3) years at the outset of the program.
How to Apply:
This is an online program available through Francis Worldwide.
Admissions Deadline:
The program has rolling admission. New cohorts begin every other summer semester.
Technical Standards or Essential Functions:
Saint Francis University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits or services, programs or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination by the University as required by the Americans with Disability Act. The Education Department adheres to the policies for academic accommodation as determined by the Center for Academic Success. The Center’s Office of Disability Services assists eligible students in receiving basic services as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate academic accommodations for students who experience physical or mental disabilities. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation to the accessibility coordinator upon request of the accommodation.
Progression and/or Retention Criteria:
A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.
Certification and/or Licensure:
Upon completion of the program requirements, candidate must pass the Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision Praxis test. Upon successful completion of this test, candidate will be recommended by Saint Francis University for certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Teacher Information Management Systems (TIMS).
Total Credits Required:
18 credits
Note:
Students will have 360 hours of clinical observations upon completion of this program. These clinical hours may be completed in the student’s current place of employment with instructor permission.
Students will need to pass the state exam in order to apply to PDE for certification.