Education

The graduate programs in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education are designed to meet the professional needs of teachers. Since the role of the teacher is crucial in creating a healthy teaching-learning environment, the primary purpose of Chestnut Hill's programs in education is to help prospective and current teachers enhance the quality of their teaching. The graduate programs integrate knowledge and field experience, theory and practice. The curricula offer both breadth of knowledge and in-depth specialization. Teachers have the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge, to develop greater competence in their disciplines, and to discover innovative and effective approaches to the educational process. In sum, the overall objective of these programs is to contribute significantly to the improvement of instruction in the classroom and, ultimately, to the quality of education in the schools.

The graduate program in Educational Leadership is designed to provide educators with the skills and concepts necessary to function as a principal on either the elementary or secondary level. Establishing a positive school climate, developing school goals, supervision and evaluation of teaching and non-teaching staff members, and building community support for schools are some of the objectives of the program. Curriculum development and assessment will be a major focus for all candidates. The format for most courses will be experiential with an emphasis on field studies. The role of technology in educational leadership will be stressed.

The graduate program in Special Education is designed for students already holding certification in Elementary Education who seek to advance their professional teaching skills to include students with disabilities. Through field experiences, this program integrates knowledge, theory and practice in preparing teachers to work with students who have cognitive, behavior, and/or physical/health disabilities.