Secondary Education and Special Education (PreK-12) Certification
Program Overview
La Salle University's Secondary Education and Special Education Certificate prepares educators for the 21st century through project-based learning, community engagement, and a focus on individual learner needs. The hybrid and online format allows working professionals to pursue the program, which features courses in child development, exceptionalities, and the role of the teacher. Graduates are equipped for leadership roles in education and diverse career paths, including principal, district administrator, and education policy analyst.
Program Outline
Outline:
- Program Content: The program prepares 21st-century educators through project-based, problem-based service learning and community engagement. It offers alternatives to the traditional school-as-factory model, viewing each child as an individual learner with unique needs. Graduates develop a comprehensive understanding of individual learners and create state-of-the-art instruction for the "real world" of the school.
- Structure: The program offers a hybrid and online format, making it accessible to working professionals. However, the program mentions several highlighted courses, which provide insights into the program's curriculum:
- EDC 503 – Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development
- EDC 510 – Human Exceptionalities
- EDC 613 – The Role of the Developmentally Oriented Teacher However, the highlighted courses suggest a focus on child development, exceptionalities, and the role of the teacher in fostering individual learning.
Teaching:
- Methods: The program utilizes project-based, problem-based service learning and community engagement. It also emphasizes video-assisted micro-teaching in both the laboratory and the classroom.
- Faculty: Experienced educators with years of experience in various educational settings teach all courses. The context provides a link to the faculty team page for further information.
- Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes individual learner needs and fosters critical thinking and analysis of educational institutions and practices. It encourages the development of educational policy-making skills.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths:
- Principal
- District Administrator
- Corporate Trainer
- Education Policy Analyst
- Higher Education
- Nonprofit Educational Director
- Childcare Director
- School Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Opportunities: Graduates may find opportunities in various educational settings, including schools, non-profit organizations, and corporations.
- Outcomes: The program prepares graduates for leadership roles in education and equips them with the skills and knowledge to create positive change in the field.
Other:
- The program offers unique alternatives to traditional educational models, focusing on individual learner needs and real-world applications.
- La Salle-educated teachers command a comprehensive understanding of child development and learning.
- The program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in the field of education.
The program offers hybrid and online formats, making it accessible to working professionals, and boasts experienced faculty and innovative teaching methods.
LaSalle College
Overview:
LaSalle College is a private Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is known for its commitment to providing a well-rounded education that emphasizes service, ethical leadership, and personal growth.
Services Offered:
LaSalle College offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Admissions and Aid:
Undergraduate and graduate admissions, transfer admissions, international admissions, tuition and fees information, and financial aid.Academics:
Program finder, undergraduate majors and minors, graduate and certificate programs, schools, centers and institutes, academic support services, career services, academic calendar, and course catalog.Student Life:
Housing and dining, leadership and service opportunities, activities and organizations, health, wellness, and safety resources, fitness and recreation facilities, religious and spiritual life programs, commuter and off-campus experience support, and multicultural and international engagement initiatives.Other:
Bookstore, campus events calendar, IT and printing services, student consumer information, support and accommodations, alumni services, and resources for parents and families.Student Life and Campus Experience:
LaSalle College provides a vibrant campus experience with a strong emphasis on community and engagement. Students have access to a variety of student organizations, leadership opportunities, and service initiatives. The university also offers a range of recreational activities, fitness facilities, and religious and spiritual life programs.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Strong Academic Reputation:
LaSalle College is recognized for its high-quality academic programs and its commitment to student success.Small Class Sizes and Faculty Engagement:
The university boasts a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 100% faculty-taught classes, ensuring personalized attention and meaningful interactions with professors.Focus on Service and Leadership:
LaSalle College emphasizes service and ethical leadership, providing students with opportunities to make a difference in their communities and beyond.Excellent Career Outcomes:
LaSalle graduates are highly sought after by employers, with a strong track record of success in their chosen fields.Academic Programs:
LaSalle College offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Undergraduate:
Majors and minors in fields such as business, education, nursing, arts and sciences, and more.Graduate:
Master's and doctoral programs, as well as certificate programs, in areas like business administration, education, nursing, and other specialized fields.Other:
LaSalle College is known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. The university also has a strong alumni network, providing graduates with ongoing support and connections.
Entry Requirements:
Graduate Education department at La Salle University:
The program offers unique alternatives to the traditional school-as-factory model that views each child as an individual learner with needs that often can’t be met through an industrialized approach to education. La Salle-educated teachers command a comprehensive understanding of the child or adolescent as a very individual learner. They know how to keep the differences of their students in mind and they know how to develop state-of-the-art instruction that works in the “real world” of the school.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
There is no specific mention of language proficiency requirements for the graduate program in Secondary Education and Special Education at La Salle University. However, it is likely that they would expect applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English, as the program is conducted in English. You can confirm this by contacting the program director, Dr. Kimberly Lewinski, at lewinski@lasalle.edu or (215) 951-1362.