School of Education

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Stacey L. Bose, EdD, Dean

Professor

Sheryl A. Vasso, EdD, Chair, MS in Education

Assistant Professor

Rebecca Cella, MEd, Director of Student Teaching and Field Placement
Barbara J. Cooper, MEd, Chair, Special Education (PK-12)
Elizabeth A. Evangelous, MEd, Program Director, Early Childhood/Elementary Education PK-4
Gregory J. Fanus, MA, Program Director, Health and Physical Education (PK-12)
Charlotte Gleason, MLS
Marika Ravin, MSEd, Program Director, TESOL

Part-time Faculty

Dianne K. Alexander, EdD

Adjunct Faculty

James J. Adams, EdD
Jillian Bair, MS
Rebecca Benjamin, MEd
Joanna L. Bryant, MEd
Charles Candy, MEd
Juliana Duprey, MA
Carolyn Eckert, MS
John M. Furrow, PhD, Chair, MS in Educational Leadership and Administration
Katelyn O. Gottier, MS
Nancy Halliday, PhD
Lisa M. Houseworth, JD
Deborah L. Krause, EdD
Jennifer Logan, MEd
Shawn E. Mark, EdD
Carolena B. Moro, MAT
Sharon M. Noble, MA, ABA VCS Co-Coordinator
Danny W. Qian, MEd
Judy E. Severns, MEd, Coordinator, International Student Teaching
Laura Ward, MS, ABA Academic Advisor
Catherine Wayman, MSW

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, practioners, and leaders who are well-equipped to serve in diverse educational and clinical settings locally and globally.

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.

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.

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 Autism

The Graduate Certificate in Autism prepares students to work with those diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Individuals who hold or concurrently complete a Level I or Level II certificate, including but not limited to regular and special education, school psychologist, principal, guidance counselor, speech and language clinician, occupational and physical therapist, reading specialist, and home and school visitor may also apply for the PA Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) endorsement.

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 program may work toward PA Instructional I certification and/or ACSI certification in Special Education. In addition, those completing the necessary coursework may apply for an Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement.

Comprehensive Exams

Students in the MS in Special Education (Instruction) program are required to sit for and pass the SPE 794 Special Education Comprehensive Exam. This capstone course serves to enhance academic rigor and critical thinking as well as demonstrate student mastery of the knowledge and skills achieved through the program. 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, Graduate Certificate in Autism, Graduate Certificate in TESOL, Special Education certification, and ASD Endorsement programs are offered in fully online formats.

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