La Salle University is named for St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers. We hold preparing the next generation of devoted educators near to our hearts.
In our education program, we focus on laying the ground work for bigger connections. We strive to not only prepare the best teachers, but to instill within them a commitment to social justice and equity grounded in the Lasallian mission. This means privileging the linguistic and cultural resources of students and communities; valuing engaged scholarship and advocacy practices; and seeking leadership opportunites to make transformative change. You'll graduate prepared for state certification, graduate school, the workforce, and the world.
Undergraduate Day Options
Elementary and Special Education/American Studies Double Major
We offer an award-winning, innovative, and combined program in early elementary and special education that is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This major will prepare you for an Instructional I certification in early elementary education (PreK-4) and special education (PreK-8).
Students enrolled in the ESEC program must also major in American Studies (AMST). The American Studies major views American culture through the perspectives of three interdisciplinary courses as well as through courses in American history, literature, philosophy, religion, and fine arts. With this dual major, you’ll be ready for certification and prepared to enter into the teaching world.
Middle level and Special Education
We offer an innovative and combined program in middle level studies and special education. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and leads to an Instructional I certification in Middle Level Social Studies: grades 4-6 in all subject areas, grades 7 and 8 in social studies, math, or English, and special education in PreK-8.
Students enrolled in the Middle level education program with Social Studies concentration also minor in American Studies (AMST). With a minor in American Studies, you’ll be trained to view American culture through the perspectives of three interdisciplinary courses as well as through courses in American history, literature, philosophy, religion, and fine arts.
Secondary Education
Our Secondary education major is a dual major program with secondary education and a chosen academic content discipline. La Salle University’s Department of Education offers an innovative and challenging Secondary Education Program that leads to recommendation for an Instructional I Certificate in Biology, Chemistry, Communications, English, Foreign Languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Latin, General Science, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics or History.
The La Salle University Secondary Education Program is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Education Studies
Our non-certification option allows students interested in non-K-12 school settings to study the complexities of how people learn. This major is combined with a second major such as public health, religion, business, social work, or psychology to prepare students for employment in hospitals, nonprofits, educational entrepreneurship, and government agencies to name a few.
Adult Evening Option
B.A. with PreK-4 certification
Complete your journey at La Salle University by earning your B.A. with PreK-4 certification! If you have an A.A. in Early Childhood/PreK-4, our program allows you to complete your B.A. degree with certification (PreK-4) in as little as 10 semesters (year-round).
In partnership with the Public Health Management Corporation Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization, La Salle has designed the part-time, evening program with the early childhood working professional in mind.
Early childhood professionals working full-time may be eligible for tuition, academic, social, and programming support. Our enhanced coursework, relevant to childcare workers & spanning Birth- 8, includes content related to trauma-informed care, dual language learning, social-emotional support, and family partnerships supporting infant-toddler development.
"You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to your care."
— St. John Baptist De La Salle
Blaze Your Own Path
Career Paths
A degree in education offers more career options than teaching. A background in education can prepare you to take a leadership role in many other education related jobs. Consider being a:
Students in the education major begin field experiences as early as freshman year. We make it a point to nurture well-rounded and experienced teachers who are prepared to work with the diverse range of students and communities. Our students engage in field experience in all types of school and community settings including public, private, charter, urban, and suburban schools; after-school programs; non-profits; museums; government offices; and community centers to name a few. These experiences not only prepare you to work in a variety of educational contexts, but support you in selecting the educational career path where you excel most.
Our undergraduate programs in Education prepare you to further your education at the graduate level. Not only will you have hands on experience in teaching, research, and rigorous study, you’ll be trained to think critically and excel academically – qualities we look for in successful graduate candidates. We offer a fifth-year option leading to a Master’s of Arts degree in our Graduate Education Department. You can elect a pathway toward graduate education as an incoming freshman or decide later in undergraduate studies. Up to nine-credits of undergraduate course work may count for graduate credit depending upon the undergraduate major. Students seeking the fifth-year option may select one of the following areas of certification or concentration.
The five-year options include:
M.A./Secondary Education Certification
M.A./Special Education Certification
M.A./Choice of Concentration Options
Autism Endorsement
Instructional Coach Endorsement
No matter where you choose to undergo your post-graduate study, you’ll be competent and ready for what comes your way.
I feel as though all young children, at some point, go through a phase of wanting to be a teacher: playing school, pretending to be the teacher, “grading papers.” I see myself as the girl who really never grew out of that phase. Since I can remember I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher.
Laura Roy (Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio) is Associate Professor and Chair of Education at La Salle University. Laura’s program of research is interdisciplinary, drawing primarily from critical and sociocultural theories in order to examine the places where new and existing communities meet and intersect. At the core of her work is a […]
Major: Elementary Education (PreK-4)/Special Education (K-8), American Studies
Projected Graduation/Class Year: 2018
Hometown: Long Beach Island, NJ
Sports/Clubs/Organizations:
La Salle University Ambassadors Vice President: Fall 2017-Current
La Salle University Ambassadors Social Chair: Fall 2016-May 2017
Writers Matters Program Tutor La Salle University
La Salle University Mentoring Program
Co-Chair La Salle University Relay for Life
Active participant in La Salle University LIVE programs
Participant in Student Education Association
Participant in American Studies Association
Alpha Epsilon Alumni Honors Society
What helped you decide on your major? I feel as though all young children, at some point, go through a phase of wanting to be a teacher: playing school, pretending to be the teacher, “grading papers.” I see myself as the girl who really never grew out of that phase. Since I can remember I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher. When I was applying to colleges, I entertained the idea of other majors, such as speech pathology, or communications, but something always drew me back to becoming a teacher and making a difference in the lives of young children. Throughout my educational experience, I have had some amazing and incredibly impactful teachers. I hope to someday serve as that same inspiration for the young children within my future classroom.
What has your experience in La Salle’s program been like so far? Something that really drew me to La Salle was the reputation of their Education program. My experience with the program thus far has been nothing short of amazing. I was exposed to field experience starting the second semester of my freshman year, and have had some type of experience every semester following. I was able to get myself into the classroom and observe the students and teachers to see if Education was truly the fit for me. I have had the opportunity to work with a range of students from grades PreK through 3rd grade, which has really given me great experiences to take with me into my future career.
Who has been the most influential member of the La Salle community on your life? The most influential member of the La Salle Community on my life would have to be Dr. Kimberly Lewinski, one of the Education department professors here at La Salle. I have had the opportunity to have Dr. Lewinski for three courses within the education, with each course better than the last. Dr. Lewinski brings her educational background and teaching experience into the classroom. Within her classes, I always felt comfortable to ask any question I had, knowing no question was a dumb question. If you ever needed any type of resource for a lesson that you were teaching, or advice on how to teach something, Dr. Lewinski was always happy to help. My Lasallian experience truly would not have been complete without her!
What is your advice to any high school students thinking about entering the Education program at La Salle? My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of every opportunity given to you. Entering the classroom for your first field experience can be incredibly terrifying. But the most important thing I can say is to get to know your cooperating teacher and get involved with the students right away. They want to know you just as much as you want to know them. The more comfortable you make yourself, the more comfortable your students will be. Never let an opportunity pass you by because you were too scared to get involved!
Laura A. Roy, Ph.D.
Laura Roy (Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio) is Associate Professor and Chair of Education at La Salle University. Laura’s program of research is interdisciplinary, drawing primarily from critical and sociocultural theories in order to examine the places where new and existing communities meet and intersect. At the core of her work is a concern for and commitment to equity, social justice, and ant-racist teacher activism. Her record of publication centers primarily on the classroom and community experiences of refugee and immigrant populations in the US, examining the intersections of race, culture, language, and other markers of identity. She is particularly interested in the discursive practices in the classroom that cultivate or marginalize students’ unique cultural and literate histories. This work has appeared in journals such as the Harvard Educational Review, Urban Review, and the TESOL Journal. As a teacher educator, Laura is committed to supporting teacher research and teacher voice, including collaboration on research projects and co-presenting at national conferences. Laura is active in the American Education Research Association (AERA), serving as a section co-chair for the AERA Division G program committee, co-chair of the AERA Division G Early Career Scholar seminar, and is now Division G Secretary.
The Writers Matter program was started in 2005 with the hopes of motivating and developing adolescent writers. The program now provides a unique opportunity for middle and lower high school students to learn critical writing skills and self-expression through journaling. By writing about their lives, experiences, and personal truth, the students find an effective emotional outlet at an age when personal expression and having their voices heard is vital. Writers Matter is a motivational strategy that encourages students to share personal stories with each other, listen to other voices, and develop effective personal relationships with peers to provide more tolerance and appreciation of others. In recent years, we have brought the Writers Matter program into Elementary Schools as both part of the curriculum and as an after school program. Since the inception of the Program, over 13,000 students in Grades 3-8 have participated.
Student Mentors
La Salle students become mentors for the Writers Matter Program in two ways: as volunteers through the University Ministry and Service at La Salle and as a service learning experience in the Introductory Leadership and Global Understanding course. Many of the students have never before been inside an urban school; some of them are graduates of schools much like these. For each, it is an invaluable learning experience. Being role models for younger students is exciting; even more exciting is the opportunity to nurture the talents and passions of these students. Building relationships with students whose lives may be significantly different from their own, La Salle mentors come to understand the more significant things they have in common.
Contact
Kimberly Lewinski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate Director of Writers Matter
lewinski@lasalle.edu
215.951.1362
Olney Hall 253
Robert Vogel, Ed.D.
Professor Emeritus of Education and Founding Director of Writers Matter (Philadelphia and Israel) and Leadership and Global Understanding (LGU)
vogel@lasalle.edu
215.806.1433 (cell)
Olney Hall 255
The mission of the LADDER Family Center is to positively enhance the quality of life for children and their families who are dealing with issues related to a variety of disabilities. Families are embraced as partners in the process to provide a unique, coordinated, and multidisciplinary experience to create positive expectations, actions and solutions in this goal. LADDER staff members work closely with administrators, faculty, families, children, and Home & School associations to develop exemplary programs and services.
Students at La Salle have the opportunity to become a peer mentor or PAL working with the LADDER program. The PALS program is aimed at forming mutual relationships between mentors and students who need extra support in transitioning to college life. Peer Mentors attend monthly meetings throughout the year, connect with students on campus, and share advice for a successful college experience. To become a Peer Mentor you must be enrolled at La Salle as a sophomore or junior who is motivated and dedicated to being a positive resource for another student.
La Salle Student Education Association, in which education majors work together to plan campus events, provide community outreach services, sponsor speakers, and plan funding drives. The Education Association members and are very active and sponsor campus and outreach events throughout the year. In past years, they have partnered with the LADDER Family Center for the Autism Walk as well as the Teachers Association on other collaborative events.
Faculty Advisor
Kimberly Lewinski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
lewinski@lasalle.edu
215.951.1362
Olney Hall 253