School of Education

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Stacey L. Bose, EdD, Dean

Professor

Dianne K. Alexander, EdD
Sheryl A. Vasso, EdD, Program Advisor, MS in Education

Assistant Professor

Rebecca Cella, MEd, Director of Student Teaching and Field Placement
Gregory J. Fanus, MA, Program Advisor, Health and Physical Education (PK-12)
Charlotte Gleason, MLS
Marika Ravin, MSEd, Program Advisor, TESOL

Part-time Faculty

Barbara J. Cooper, MEd, Program Advisor, Special Education (PK-12)

Adjunct Faculty

James J. Adams, EdD
Jillian Bair, MS
Rebecca Benjamin, MEd
Joanna L. Bryant, MEd
Juliana Duprey, MA
John M. Furrow, PhD
Katelyn O. Gottier, MS
Lisa M. Houseworth, JD
Deborah L. Krause, EdD
Jennifer Logan, MEd
Shawn E. Mark, EdD
Carolena B. Moro, MAT
Sharon M. Noble, MA
Danny W. Qian, MEd
Judy E. Severns, MEd, Coordinator, International Student Teaching
Laura Ward, MS
Catherine Wayman, MSW
Todd S. Zimmerman, MA

The School

In a day when traditional and progressive educational philosophies continue to play tug-of-war, when modern and postmodern worldviews vie for the public mind, Christian educators need to develop a foundation for intellectually coherent and professionally informed practice.  The School of Education exists to prepare highly qualified, biblically-minded educators for the teaching and educational leadership professions.

The School of Education’s graduate programs began in 1992 with the distinct purpose of providing a quality education for teachers and administrators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world.  The core curriculum integrates a biblical worldview into professional areas of study, promotes academic excellence, celebrates wise and innovative practices, and champions a global perspective and human diversity.

The Programs

MS in Education

The MS in Education program is designed to prepare educators to create quality learning experiences for students in an environment that fosters the development of the whole person. Graduate students form a community of learners who challenge and encourage one another and draw from one another’s experiences and perspectives. Students take advantage of their current employment to apply what they learn in practical settings.

Competencies

The curriculum is designed to assist the student in meeting specific competencies. The goal is that the graduate is able to:

1. Design, implement, and modify instruction for students based upon human nature and learning, as well as their individual developmental levels, exceptionalities, and needs.
2. Select and implement models of teaching based on human nature and learning, desired learner outcomes, and curriculum objectives.
3. Apply theories of learning in designing and developing an overall approach to teaching, learning strategies, and modifications.
4. Apply a personal educational philosophy to the educational setting and integrated biblical worldview to curriculum design, instructional methodology, assessment, and educational decision-making.
5. Assess and design curriculum based on outcomes, ongoing learning assessment, differentiated learning, and authentic learning experiences.
6. Identify, critique, and use specific trends in education, including instructional technologies, to enable effective student learning.
7. Synthesize and evaluate educational research in order to improve teaching and learning.

MS in Educational Leadership and Administration

The MS in Educational Leadership and Administration program provides a biblical model of leadership that enables graduates to face the challenges of today’s educational settings with a strong knowledge base and professional skills. As a community of learners, students in the program draw from one another’s experiences and perspectives, creating an environment that makes learning applicable both in and out of the classroom. Students immediately put what they learn in classes into practice in their employment and involvement outside of Cairn.

Competencies

The curriculum is designed to assist the student in meeting specific competencies. The goal is that the graduate is able to:

1. Apply theories of educational leadership, including systems theory, data-driven decision making models, and cultivation of a school culture which promotes holistic learning through best practices and action research in a school environment.
2. Effectively communicate and personally interact with organizations in the social and political environment including school boards, community organizations, state boards, accrediting agencies, special interest groups, and other professional organizations.
3. Understand and apply historical and contemporary issues of school law to employment, discipline, privacy, safe schools, crisis planning, drug-free schools, sexual/physical/emotional abuse and harassment, and due process.
4. Retain and apply fiscal operations, including facilities management, strategic planning, long-range planning, the budget process, technology implementation, and resource allocation.
5. Apply a personal, educational philosophy and integrated biblical worldview in curriculum design, instructional methodology, assessment, and educational decision making based on the individual needs of students and supported by professional development.
6. Assess and design curriculum based on outcomes, ongoing learning assessment, differentiated learning, authentic learning experiences, and PA Academic Standards.
7. Design, conduct, and evaluate best practices and procedures in educational research to improve instruction and learning.

MA (Applied Behavior Analysis)

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program leading to an MA degree is designed to prepare well-trained professionals who are highly competent in designing and implementing ABA interventions and instruction to enhance the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or other disabilities. This program has been developed with the vision to meet a growing need for both research-supported autism interventions and training in biblical integration for educators. The coursework is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) as meeting the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) coursework requirements. Most PA Behavior Specialist License (BSL) course requirements are also met. Additional requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for the BCBA credential and the BSL.

Competencies

The curriculum is designed to develop the following competencies in students. The goal is that the graduate is able to:

1. Select, design, and implement appropriate intervention and measurement procedures and systems.
2. Evaluate, develop, and conduct experiments based on appropriate experimental designs and behavioral principles.
3. State and plan for the possible undesired effects of reinforcement, punishment, and extinction using appropriate behavior-change considerations.
4. Apply fundamental elements of behavior change, specific behavior-change procedures, behavior-change systems, and problem identification approaches.
5. Design and implement appropriate individualized functional and behavioral assessment procedures.
6. Design and use effective management and supervision systems.
7. Explain and apply the philosophical assumptions of behavior analysis and the elements of foundational knowledge accompanying the BACB’s most current Task List.
8. Identify and apply the BACB professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts.
9. Integrate a biblical worldview in all competencies.
10. Synthesize and evaluate research and integrate technology to enhance practice and learning.

MS in Special Education (Instruction)

The Instruction program leading to an MS in Special Education degree equips professionals with expert knowledge and best practices to competently engage students with special needs in enriched and meaningful skill development and growth in all areas of life. Professionals with special education certification are in high demand in both inclusive and more restrictive classrooms. This program is designed for individuals already holding teaching certification.

Competencies

The curriculum is designed to develop the following competencies in students. The goal is that the graduate is able to:

1. Describe and identify the special education system in the United States.
2. Summarize, identify, and implement processes and services for individuals with disabilities.
3. Design, implement, and modify instruction for individuals with disabilities that is based on their cognition, development, academic and functional performance, and Individual Education Program and aligned with state academic standards.
4. Design and implement data collection systems and tools to assess, monitor progress, adjust and plan instruction, and refer and place individuals with disabilities in special education based on their unique abilities and needs.
5. Identify, design, and implement evidence-based instructional models and specially designed instruction in math, literacy, content areas, social, behavioral, communication, language, and secondary transition domains in inclusive and more restrictive environments.
6. Identify and apply biblical, professional, and ethical practice and law.
7. Synthesize, evaluate, and conduct educational research and apply technology integration to enhance instruction and learning.
8. Apply a personal special education philosophy based on an integrated biblical worldview.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

This fully online program prepares graduates to be successful practitioners trained to enhance the educational outcomes and lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other disabilities using applied behavior analysis. The coursework is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) as meeting Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) requirements. Most PA Behavior Specialist License (BSL) course requirements are fulfilled. Additional requirements must be met to qualify for the BCBA credential and BSL.

Graduate Certificate in TESOL

The Graduate Certificate in TESOL program prepares students to be competent, professional, knowledgeable, skillful, and biblically-minded teachers of English. Students who complete the program will be equipped to work with immigrants, refugees, international students, and others. They will also have opportunities for missions work through the path of teaching English and be competent in intercultural communication. Students holding a Pennsylvania state teaching certificate will also be eligible for the English as a Second Language Program Specialist certification.

Related Program Information

Certification

Principal Certification

Qualified students in the Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration degree program may also work toward PA PK-12 principal certification and ACSI K-12 principal certification. An internship is required.

Additional Certifications

Educators holding current PA Instructional I certification may work toward PA add-on certification in ESL (through coursework in the Graduate Certificate in TESOL). Educators holding current ACSI teaching certification may work toward ACSI certification in ESL (through coursework in the Graduate Certificate in TESOL). Candidates completing the MS in Special Education certification program may work toward ACSI certification in Special Education.

Comprehensive Exams

Students in the MA (ABA) program are required to sit for and pass the SPE 790 Applied Behavior Analysis Comprehensive Exam. Students in the MS in Special Education (Instruction) program and required to sit for and pass the SPE 794 Special Education Comprehensive Exam. These capstone courses serve to enhance academic rigor and critical thinking as well as demonstrate student mastery of the knowledge and skills achieved through the programs. Students are expected to dedicate a significant amount of quality time and effort to prepare for and pass their comprehensive exam.

Independent Research

The Action Research Project (ARP) (for MS in Educational Leadership and Administration candidates) and Instructional Design Project (IDP) (for MS in Education candidates) are culminating projects in which research is conducted and completed by students under the guidance of a faculty advisor. These are highly practical action research projects and provide the capstone of the professional experience at Cairn.

Internships

In the MS in Educational Leadership and Administration degree program, students interested in pursuing principal certification must complete internship requirements. These requirements are met through the completion of a 3-credit administrative internship (EDL 784), under the supervision of a certified administrative mentor. In addition, students will take EDL 785 Educational Leadership Internship II, which replaces EDL 791 Action Research Project.

Online Learning

Students may pursue a graduate degree with Cairn University without commuting to the main campus in Langhorne.  The MS in Education, MS in Educational Leadership and Administration, MS in Special Education, MA degree in ABA, Graduate Certificate in ABA, Graduate Certificate in TESOL, and Special Education certification programs are offered in fully online formats.

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