The Princeton Review of 2011 has cited La Salle University as one of the nation’s “great schools for education majors.” La Salle is one of only 57 colleges and universities across the country that the publication cites for this recognition. The most recent list appears in the publication’s print edition of the “Best 373 Colleges.” La Salle’s Education Department is one of six in Pennsylvania to make the list.

La Salle’s Education Department offers many undergraduate programs that certify students to teach at the early elementary, middle, and high school levels. Graduates have distinguished themselves regionally by becoming leaders in many of the school districts in which they are employed.

“I think this recognition validates our innovative approach to teacher preparation: one that values extensive field experience, content area expertise, and meeting the needs of all learners,” said Frank Mosca, Chair of La Salle’s Education Department. “It is a testament to the high quality of our program faculty.”

La Salle’s Education Department has a rich history of innovative practices. It was one of the first in the nation to combine elementary education with special education in a well-integrated teacher certification program. The department then added a required minor and the possibility of a major in American Studies to ensure that all elementary and special education majors have a disciplinary area of expertise.

La Salle’s Education Department also distinguishes itself in the following ways:

• There is a thematic emphasis on Reflective Educators, thoughtful professionals who are able to think about and improve their instruction as they continue their careers.
• All students are required to have 190 hours of fieldwork experience before they embark on student teaching during their senior year.
• A year-long student teaching experience for elementary and special education teacher candidates ensures sustained experiences with a wide variety of diverse learners.
• Secondary education teacher candidates are dual majors. They major in both education and their chosen academic content discipline.
• A personalized advising system keeps students on track for graduation. With this system, every student is assigned an advisor for all four years of his or her teacher education program.
• Post-graduate certificates are offered in both teaching children with autism and classroom management.