Online Education & Teaching Degrees and Certificates
Designed for working teachers, administrators, and education professionals.
Shape futures—starting with your own. PennWest’s online Education & Teaching programs
are built for working educators and career-changers who want flexible, accredited
pathways into classrooms, libraries, student services, and district leadership. Learn
from faculty who teach what they practice, earn credentials that school districts
respect, and study 100% online so you can keep teaching, coaching, or leading while
you upskill.
A flexible master’s that lets licensed educators deepen practice and leadership in
a concentration aligned to classroom and district priorities.
30 credits12-18 monthsCAEP (unit/EPP)100% online
Concentrations
Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEducational Technology and Online TeachingMathematicsSTEM EducationTeaching English as a Second LanguageTechnology Education
Career Paths
Curriculum Specialist • Grade-Level/Dept Chair • Professional Development Coordinator • Instructional Technologist • Teacher Leader • Academic Program Coordinator • Educational Consultant
An online master’s that deepens art pedagogy, curriculum design, research/writing,
and contemporary methods—built for practicing and aspiring art educators.
30 credits12-18 monthsCAEP (unit/EPP)100% online
Career Paths
K–12 Art Teacher • Museum Educator / Gallery Education Specialist • Art Curriculum Developer / Instructional Coordinator • Community Arts Coordinator / Outreach Lead • Postsecondary Art Instructor (adjunct/lecturer) • Educational Consultant (Art Education) • Arts Integration Coach (cross-curricular) • Program Coordinator for Youth Arts / After-School Programs
Advanced Studies in Library & Information Sciences (Post-Master’s Certificate)
Deepen your expertise with advanced, online LIS coursework—tailored electives that
sharpen archival, metadata, systems, or school librarianship skills you can use immediately.
12 credits6-12 monthsALA-accredited100% online
Career Paths
Digital Archivist • Government Records Analyst • Library Systems/Apps Specialist • Competitive Intelligence Analyst • Information Architect • Collection Development Specialist • Metadata Analyst • Community Services Librarian
Graduate-level leadership preparation aligned to Pennsylvania credentials with coursework
in supervision, school law, and data-informed decision-making.
30 credits12-18 monthsCAEP (unit/EPP)100% online
Concentrations
Educational Leadership, MEd + Principal K-12 CertificationEducational Leadership, MEd + Supervisor of Special Education Certification
Career Paths
School Principal • Supervisor of Special Education • Dean of Students • District Administrator • Student Services Director
Earn an ALA-accredited online MSLS focused on information organization, user services,
and digital collections for libraries, schools, archives, and beyond.
36 credits18-24 monthsALA-accredited
Concentrations
Local and Archival StudiesSchool Librarianship
Career Paths
School Librarian/Media Specialist • Digital Archivist • Metadata/Discovery Librarian • Instruction/Information Literacy Librarian • Knowledge Manager • Information Architect • Government Documents Librarian • Digital Collections Manager
Associate Degree • OnlineNAEYC Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education
Preschool Education (AS)
A fully online, NAEYC-accredited associate program that builds child development,
observation/assessment, family engagement, and culturally responsive practice for
early-childhood settings.
60 credits24 monthsNAEYC-accredited100% online
Career Paths
Preschool Teacher • Lead/Assistant Teacher (Infant–Pre-K) • Early Childhood Education Consultant (entry-level) • Child Development Specialist (program support) • Family Support Specialist / Family Services Aide • Head Start/Early Head Start Classroom Staff
An online post-master’s program that builds supervision, school law, operations, and
data-informed leadership—preparing you for Pennsylvania K–12 Principal (PDE) certification
through coursework and internship experience.
K-12 Principal • Dean of Students • District Administrator • Building Testing/Assessment Coordinator • School Operations Manager • Title I/Program Coordinator
SEL Coordinator • School Mental Health Liaison • MTSS/Behavior Coach • PBIS Implementation Lead • Family Engagement Specialist • Community Partnerships Coordinator • Prevention/Intervention Specialist • School Climate/Data Analyst
Expertise in inclusive practice, behavior supports, collaboration, and compliance
to lead learning for students with disabilities.
36 credits6–24 monthsCAEP (unit/EPP)100% online
Concentrations
Applied Behavior AnalysisApplied Behavior Analysis and AutismAutism
Career Paths
Special Education Teacher • Inclusion Specialist • Behavior Interventionist (ABA) • IEP Coordinator • Assistive Technology Specialist • Special Ed Department Lead • District Special Programs Coordinator
District Superintendent • Director of Curriculum & Instruction • Supervisor of Pupil Services • Career & Technical Center Director • District Operations Director • Educational Consultant
Supervisor of Special Education (Post-Master’s Certificate)
Prepares licensed educators to oversee special education programs, compliance, and
teams across a district.
24 credits9-15 monthsPDE pathway100% online
Career Paths
Supervisor of Special Education • Director of Special Education • District Special Programs Coordinator • Due Process/Compliance Lead • MTSS/RTI Director
Our education programs cover a broad spectrum of specializations, from early childhood
education to educational leadership. Each program is designed to provide a deep understanding
of teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and educational technology, ensuring
you are well-prepared for various educational settings.
Learn from experienced educators who bring real-world expertise to the virtual classroom.
Our dedicated faculty are committed to your success, offering personalized support
and mentorship to guide you through your academic journey.
Our programs integrate practical experiences such as student teaching, internships,
and fieldwork, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations.
Additionally, our strong partnerships with schools and educational organizations provide
ample networking opportunities and career placement support.
Featured Faculty
Learn from the same experienced professors who teach on our campuses. They bring industry
insight, practical projects, and one-to-one support to every online course.
Dr. Meghan Ferraro
EdD
Professor of Educational Leadership, School Psychology
Dr. Meghan Ferraro is a professor and assistant department chair in PennWest’s Education
Department, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior
Analyst with 10+ years of K–12 experience across preschool through grade 12. Her work
focuses on consultation, special education, behavioral assessment and intervention,
reading instruction, and MTSS.
Special education (K–12)Behavioral assessmentSchool psychology practice
Dr. Diane Fine
EdD
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Diane Fine is an Associate Professor of Education and graduate coordinator for
the Reading Specialist program, bringing 30+ years of experience serving children,
families, and pre-/in-service teachers across the tri-state region. She teaches Early
Childhood and Elementary Education courses face-to-face and online, with a focus on
literacy, special/gifted education, and technology-enabled, student-centered learning.
Associate Professor Middle Level Education, Secondary Education
Dr. Jennifer Camille Dempsey is Director of PennWest’s Center for Artificial Intelligence
& Emerging Technologies and an Associate Professor who coordinates the M.Ed. in Educational
Technology & Online Teaching. An award-winning scholar and ISTE leader, she helps
educators integrate AI and contemporary technologies through research-driven, practice-ready
training.
Educational technologyAI in educationFaculty and teacher professional development
Education & Teaching — What You’ll Learn
Build the skills schools and districts need right now. Designed for working educators,
our online courses connect research to practice so you can apply new strategies immediately
in your classroom, library, or program. Learn with faculty who understand P–12 realities
and emphasize effective instruction, student support, and instructional leadership.
Evidence-based instruction
Assessment & data literacy
Inclusive & special education
Literacy & language support
Edtech & classroom tools
Leadership & school operations
How Online Learning Works Here
Courses are designed for busy professionals: clear weekly modules, active faculty
engagement and opportunities to collaborate with classmates. You’ll have access to
Success Coaches for planning and time management, plus Career Coaches for résumés,
interviews and networking. Transfer-friendly pathways and stackable certificates can
help you finish faster.
PennWest education programs earn prestigious accreditation from the International
Dyslexia Association
PennWest’s Reading Specialist (M.S.Ed.) and Early Childhood & Elementary Education
(B.S.) programs earned International Dyslexia Association (IDA) accreditation—recognition
that our literacy preparation meets rigorous, evidence-based standards.
I love the incorporation of all three campuses and Global Online into one with the
additional resources it provides. PennWest is affordable, provides unique opportunities
and you feel a sense of community with the professors and the students.
Michael McGurk
Frequently Asked Questions
Many School of Education programs carry CAEP accreditation (for example: Reading Specialist MEd/Certificate; Special Education
MEd; EdD in Education Administration & Leadership). In Library & Information Science,
the MSLS is ALA-accredited.
PennWest’s campus-based faculty lead online courses—75% are tenured, full-time—and courses are typically asynchronous with weekly deadlines.
Examples include: Principal K-12 (Certificate), Reading Specialist (MEd/Certificate), Supervisor of Special Education (Post-Master’s Certificate), Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE), Special Education Teacher Certification (MEd), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate, and STEM Education PDE Endorsement. Always review the specific program page for eligibility details and Praxis/fieldwork
requirements.
Timelines depend on pace and prior credits. For instance, the MAT can be completed in as little as five semesters; many graduate certificates (e.g., TESL—18 credits) can be finished in under a year if taken full-time. Check each program page for
plan-of-study details.
No. These featured programs are designed for working professionals and delivered online;
see each page for any field or internship elements required in your local area.
Some teacher-prep and leadership pathways include supervised experiences. Examples:
Teacher Education (MAT) includes 15 weeks of student teaching; Principal K-12 includes internships; the SLE pathway incorporates internships as well
How much does it cost? Do online students pay the same fees?
See current Tuition & Fees for undergraduate and graduate programs. You won’t pay fees for on-campus services,
and many students qualify for competitive non-resident tuition.
Yes. The Military & Veterans Services team helps with transferring military credits and using GI Bill®/Tuition Assistance,
National Guard/Reserve benefits, and more.
PennWest programs align with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and,
where applicable, prepare you for Praxis exams (e.g., Special Education Teacher Certification).
Licensure requirements vary by state—prospective out-of-state students should confirm
with their state education department.
PennWest runs online terms across the year and hosts virtual info sessions regularly.
Your Enrollment Support team can help you choose the best upcoming start for your
program.
Yes. Each student works with a career coach for one-on-one guidance (career paths,
résumé, interviews, internships)—and you can even connect with the Career Center before
enrollment.
More About PennWest Global Online
PennWest Global Online offers flexible, high-quality online education designed to
fit your busy lifestyle. Our programs provide the same rigorous curriculum and expert
faculty as our on-campus offerings, ensuring you receive a comprehensive and engaging
learning experience. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs,
PennWest Global Online empowers you to advance your education and career from anywhere
in the world.
