Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2025
In a strategic initiative to meet the evolving educational landscape and the critical need for qualified educators, Westminster College’s School of Education is launching three new Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs with Instructional I Certification.
The newly established M.Ed. programs are:
• M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education (Grades PK–4) with Instructional I Certification
• M.Ed. in Secondary Education (Grades PK-12/7-12) with Instructional I Certification
• M.Ed. in Special Education (Grades PK–12) with Instructional I Certification
All three programs are designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and seek Pennsylvania Instructional I certification to teach in public schools.
The M.Ed. programs will launch this summer session, in May 2026, with additional entry points in fall 2026 and spring 2027.
“The flexible structure enables candidates to start their academic journey at a time that best suits their personal and professional schedules, while also benefiting from the collaborative and supportive environment of a cohort-based model,” said Dr. René Pico, chair of the School of Education and associate professor of education.
This move aligns with recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that Westminster transition its post-baccalaureate certification program into a master’s degree program to strengthen teacher preparation and elevate the profession.
The shift also includes the latest teacher preparation requirements from Pennsylvania’s Chapter 49—Structured Literacy, Professional Ethics, Cultural Awareness, Trauma-Aware Mental Health and Wellness, and Technological and Virtual Engagement—and offers clear, accessible pathways for bachelor’s degree-holding professionals who want to become teachers.
“These new certification pathways are an exciting and necessary evolution of Westminster’s commitment to preparing effective and compassionate educators,” said Pico.
The Early Childhood Education master’s program prepares candidates to teach young learners in grades Pre-K through fourth grade, while the Special Education master’s program equips candidates to support students with special needs across all grade levels.
The Secondary Education master’s program offers certification in grades seven to 12 for biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, physics and social studies and Pre-K through 12th grade certification for French and Spanish.
Westminster College is fully approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer teacher certification at the post-baccalaureate level in these key areas.
Each program combines advanced coursework with practical training to prepare future educators for success in today’s classrooms. Each offers a structured curriculum designed by expert faculty, personalized advising and academic planning, faculty-supervised internship experiences and support with state-mandated clearances, testing and the PDE Teachers Information System (TIMS) certification application.
Applications for the summer 2026 session are currently open.
To learn more about program eligibility and the application process, please visit www.westminster.edu/grad.
For more information, contact the Westminster College School of Education at 724-946-7180 or email schoolofeducation@westminster.edu.
