Teaching Excellence

The master’s in Teaching Excellence is a 30-credit (minimum) program. All students complete a set of five core courses, which focus on the theoretical underpinnings of education, innovative pedagogy to meet the demands of diverse learners, and analysis and conduction of educational research:

• EDSE 500 Foundation of Pedagogy & Practice
• EDSE 610 21st Century Literacies
• EDU 670 Internship
• EDSP 502 Educational Research
• EDSE 676 Thesis

The remaining five courses for the master’s (15 credits minimum) can be fulfilled through:

1. PLS Coursework (Online or On-Site)
2. PDE Endorsements
3. Teaching Experience
4. Transfer Credits
5. Graduate Electives

Through PLS, Mercyhurst offers instruction in integrated educational theory, research-based best practices and meaningful applications, providing measurable, transformational results for educators and the students. Courses are available online or on-site at convenient locations throughout the region, and each course offers three credit hours at the graduate level. Course instructors are experienced classroom teachers and provide real-life applications for your classroom.

In addition, PLS now offers micro-credentials in instructional coaching, blended and online teaching, new teacher induction, 21st century learning, teaching and assessment, and teacher leadership. This means while you’re working toward your master’s, you can obtain a PDE endorsement and a PLS micro-credential at the same time.

Pursue any of the following endorsements from the Pennsylvania Department of Education; courses you complete for these endorsements can count toward your master’s.

• Instructional Coaching Endorsement (9 credits)
• Online Design Endorsement (12 credits)
• ELL Program Specialist Certificate (18 credits)
• Autism Endorsement (12 credits)
• Teaching Leadership (12 credits)

If you’ve been teaching for more than a year, you can earn up to six credits for your experience (based on a portfolio review by our graduate faculty).

Have you already earned some graduate-level credits in education from another institution? Up to nine credits earned elsewhere should count toward equivalent coursework at Mercyhurst. 

Mercyhurst electives for the master’s in Teaching Excellence include:

• EDU 501 Classroom Management
• EDU 502 Differentiated Instruction
• EDU 503 Cultural Competence
• EDU 504 Educating Net-Generation
• EDU 505 Professional Learner Teacher Effectiveness
• EDU 506 Blended & Synchronous Learning Design
• EDU 507 Building Online Collaborative Environment
• EDU 508 Facilitating Online Learning Communities
• EDU 509 Foundations of Literacy Beginning Reading
• EDU 510 Instructional Coaching
• EDU 511 Instructional Design for Online Educators
• EDU 512 Purposeful Learning Through Multiple Intelligences
• EDU 513 Reading Across the Curriculum
• EDSP 501 Behavior Management
• EDSP 504 Behavior Management Clinical
• EDSP 521 Psychology of Diverse Learners
• EDSP 522 Inclusive Practices
• EDSP 535 Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making
• EDSP 536 Professional, Legal and Ethical Practices
• EDSP 540 Introduction to Autism and Clinical
• EDSP 541 Autism: Instructional Assessment and Methods
• EDSP 650 Functional Behavior Assessment and Intervention Development
• WL 501 Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Learner
• WL 512 Second Language Acquisition
• WL 514 Introduction to Sociolinguistics
• ELL 500 Teaching English as a Second Language
• ELL 505 Professionalism and Program Development for ELLs
• ELL 515 Supporting Literacy for English Language Learners
• OL 500 Leadership Theory and Practice
• OL 502 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• OL 505 Organizational Ethics
• OL 530 Organizational Communication for Leaders

Our online teaching master’s degree program is a 30-credit degree for certified teachers in grades K-12. It provides a fast and customizable path to a master’s degree. The transfer-credit friendly program offers an expedited timeline so you can finish in just 15 months. In addition, you may elect to include the six courses required for the Principal Leadership Certificate.

We offer full 16-week courses and mini 6- to 8-week courses so you can adjust your course load to fit your life. Our rolling admission lets you start your master’s in teaching program when it’s best for you. Start in May, take your heaviest course load in the summer, then finish the following May.

Our personalized program lets you work independently yet feel supported. You won’t have to choose between the work you love and earning your Master of Science in Teaching Excellence. Plus, you won’t have to take classes that don’t fit your goals. You will take only the courses that make you a better educator or principal.

Whether you’re a novice or experienced teacher, you’ll see a solid return on investment from a master of teaching degree or principal certification. Our tuition is competitively priced to match most school districts’ reimbursement policies. Best of all, it positions you for continued professional growth and future salary increases.

Providing a supportive and engaging experience for veterans, service members, and their dependents earned Mercyhurst the designation of being a Purple Heart University. The honor recognizes our efforts to provide services to veterans and their families. The Purple Heart Scholarship is awarded to a veteran who was wounded in combat and is enrolled in online teaching master’s degree programs.