and the remaining credits will be completed at GMercyU, where students will prepare for their PA Special Education Teaching Certification and earn a bachelor’ s degree.
In addition to earning their salary, participants will receive pay increases at specific milestones as they complete their college coursework. Upon completion, graduates will continue to work for the Bucks IU as Special Education Teachers.
BUILDING ETHICAL LEADERS
GMercyU will launch three new graduate-level programs this fall designed to prepare teachers and nurses to take the next step into instructional or administrative roles in higher education and other educational organizations.
• A combined Master of Science in Educational Administration with K-12 Principal Certification and an EdD in Educational Leadership
This unique program saves time and money by waiving 18 credits of EdD coursework. Students can earn both degrees in as few as four years.
STUDENT TEACHER SUPPORT
Further addressing the needs of the current educational landscape, five GMercyU Education students were recipients of student-teaching stipends as part of the PA Student Teacher Support Program. This program addresses the financial strain caused by student teaching and provides financial support to students who are completing those requirements. Cooperating teachers who mentor and guide student teachers are also eligible for stipends of up to $ 2,500.
In return, student teachers commit to teaching in Pennsylvania for at least three years following the completion of their certification.
" Returning to college to earn my degree and teaching certification so I could help make a better life for my family has been financially tricky,” recent GMercyU Education alum Melissa Walter‘ 24 said. " The stipend allowed us a little breathing room while I worked full-time as a student teacher... allowing me to focus my energy on learning and caring for my family without worrying about making ends meet."
Certificates GMercyU Students Have Earned Since 2019
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857
Pennsylvania education-related certificates
535 PA teaching certificates 218 Administrative certificates 104 School Counseling Certificates
• A Nursing Education concentration within GMercyU’ s Teaching and Learning in Higher Education EdD degree
• A Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Post-Master’ s Certificate
Considering that many of these programs’ prospective students are employed full time, classes are conducted online and on-demand, with the exception of specific shortterm residencies and seminars.
With a graduation rate that is more than 1,000 % higher than the national average, we have seen the difference our approach to doctoral education makes in the lives of our graduates and the school and university systems they serve.
RAYMOND BANDLOW, PHD PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION POLICY
PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR DOCTORAL STUDIES
TODAY 7