Earn your Master of Education Initial Certification degree at Holy Family University

Educational Leadership with Principal Certification, M.Ed.

Specifically designed as a practitioner’s degree, for students who wish to acquire the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to work in a professional field and become eligible for a Principal K-12 certificate.

Program Overview

As a professional degree, the M.Ed. is intended for students who wish, upon graduation, to assume positions of leadership in a practical setting or positions requiring more advanced study than that available at the bachelor’s level (e.g., as an instructional technologist or as a district resource teacher). 

Program Details

Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the cognitive, emotional, physical and social development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and children in the primary grades
  • Design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for all children
  • Analyze the classroom environment to determine how it can be adapted to meet diverse needs of children
  • Develop and implement appropriate formative and summative assessment strategies

The goal of the M.Ed. program is to develop professional educators who are:

  • Lifelong learners
  • Respectful of all individuals
  • Dedicated to social justice
  • Knowledgeable about current legal, social and political issues
  • Effective communicators
  • Skilled in understanding, interpreting and applying research findings.

In addition, graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate commitment to professional responsibilities by exhibiting:

  • Ethical and professional behavior
  • Respect for all individuals
  • Emotional maturity
  • Good judgment
  • Dependability

Career Paths

This certification program offers experienced teachers the opportunity to develop expertise in a particular area of education. In addition, many of the concentration areas offered through this program prepare students for additional certifications or endorsements.  

This program helps Level I certified teachers complete the requirements for obtaining Level II teacher certification in Pennsylvania.  Additional certifications that graduates of the program may be eligible to apply for include:

  • Special Education
  • Reading Specialist
  • Education Administration (Pennsylvania Principal certification)
  • ESL Program Specialist
  • Autism Endorsement

Students may also choose to pursue a more general concentration, with courses pulled from more than one certification area. This does not lead to additional certification but it does provide students with a master’s degree and additional expertise in several areas.


Internships & Employment


School districts working with our students and employing our graduates include:

  • Archdiocese of Philadelphia
  • Bensalem
  • Bristol Borough
  • Bristol Township
  • Centennial
  • Central Bucks
  • Cinnaminson
  • Council Rock
  • Mount Laurel
  • Neshaminy
  • New Hope-Solebury
  • Pennsauken
  • Pennsbury
  • Philadelphia

 

Program Information

Degree Awarded
  • Certification
  • Master of Education
Program Type
  • Certification
Program Location
  • Blended
  • Online

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Janet McNellis headshot

"With the University’s Core Values at the forefront, the M.Ed. program develops educators who are knowledgeable and effective communicators, skilled researchers, and lifelong learners dedicated to equity and social justice." 

Janet McNellis 
Professor of Education | School of Education

Questions? Contact the Graduate and Adult Admissions Office

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