Department Contact:
Director: Dr. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068
Accreditation Statement:
Saint Francis University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Program Description:
The Master of Education with Principal PK-12 program provides advanced professional study and the opportunity to pursue certification as a school principal to candidates with an instructional II certificate. 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.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Curriculum and Instruction
Students will demonstrate the understanding of curriculum and instruction design elements in K-12 learning environments by utilizing researched-based best practices to evaluate teaching and learning.
School Law and Advocacy
Students will demonstrate how to apply systems thinking in decision making situations in K-12 settings and align to Federal, state, and district requirements.
Research Approaches and Principles in Education
Students will demonstrate how to structure problems for solution and frame issues for resolution using data sources for K-12 education.
Ethics and Special Education
Students will demonstrate how to operate in a fair and equitable manner with personal and professional integrity that is culturally relevant to a K-12 environment.
Admission Requirements:
Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education program 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
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. If candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits. The student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine credits to be admitted to the program. If these requirements are not met the student will not be admitted to the program.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed;
- Copy of Instructional Certificate;
- Ideally, have completed five (5) years of professional school experience; minimally, have completed three (3) years at the outset of the program.
Admission Deadline:
The program has rolling admission.
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 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:
- Students must complete their degrees within five (5) years of their initial enrollment.
- 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.
Licensure and/or Certification:
Upon completion of the program requirements, candidate must pass the Pennsylvania School Leadership Licensure Assessment test. Upon successful completion of this test, candidate will be recommended for certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) TIMS.
See Principal PK-12 Certification Requirements: https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/PAEducators/Pages/PrincipalRequirements.aspx
Other information to include, related to this program:
Instructional Level II certification
If you have been teaching in Pennsylvania on a LEVEL I certificate from 3-6 years of satisfactory service and have earned 24 post-baccalaureate credits, you can apply for a LEVEL II certificate through the PDE. The following conditions must be met:
*6 credits (EDUC 515 and EDUC 560) must be associated with your area(s) of certification and/or must be designed to improve professional practice;
*You must have three years of satisfactory service on a LEVEL I certificate, verified by the chief school administrator of the employing school entity;
*You must have completed a PDE induction program verified by the chief school administrator of your employing entity.
Graduation Requirements:
A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:
- Complete all requirements for an approved program of study.
- Complete a minimum of 30 credits of master-level education courses depending on which specialization option they choose.
- Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date.
- Satisfy financial obligations to the University.
- Students are required to attend an exit interview.
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 2 years of full-time study or 2+ years part time
Note:
Students will have 360 hours of clinical observations in the two required practicum courses. These clinical hours may be completed in the student’s current place of employment; with instructor permission.
Students are required to pass all Pennsylvania Department of Education required exams before applying for certification.
Total Credits Required:
34 credits