College of Education
The university’s College of Education offers opportunities for advanced study in the field of education.
Graduate Degrees in Education
Lehigh’s College of Education offers primarily graduate degree programs.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The master of education degree is offered in the following professional specializations: behavior analysis; elementary education, secondary education, special education, educational leadership, international school counseling, mental health counseling, school counseling, and teaching and learning. Degree requirements vary from program to program.
Master of Science (M.S.)
The master of science degree is awarded in instructional technology. The M.S. in instructional technology focuses on the planning and use of instructional technology in education and training for people of all ages and environments.
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)
A specialized post-master’s degree program is available in school psychology. The Education Specialist, or Ed.S., is an advanced academic degree designed for individuals who wish to work as school psychologists in K-12 settings.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The College of Education also offers the Ph.D. degree in counseling psychology, school psychology, special education, and teaching, learning and technology.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
The Ed.D. degree program provides specialized study in educational leadership. Successful professional experience is required for admission to candidacy.
Certification Programs
The College offers degree, certificate and certification programs of study leading to eligibility for Pennsylvania state certifications in various professional specialties including teacher education in elementary and secondary general education as well as special education; supervisor of curriculum and instruction; superintendent; principal; English as a Second Language (ESL) program specialist; and Social, Emotional, Behavioral Wellness PreK-12 Endorsement. Degree, certificate and certification programs vary in the number of credits required.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
The college also offers post-baccalaureate certificate programs in a number of different areas, including artificial intelligence and learning analytics; behavior analysis; college admissions counseling; game-based learning; international school counseling; learning design in educational and professional settings; mental health and education of Latin American people in the US; social, emotional, behavioral wellness; and teaching English as a second language (TESOL). Lehigh’s post-baccalaureate certificate programs are focused concentrations of 12 to 21 credits that students complete to enhance their professional credentials. Where appropriate, post-baccalaureate certificate programs may be included as part of the coursework of a degree program. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs differ from the above-described certifications issued by agencies external to Lehigh (such as the Pennsylvania Department of Education).
Non-Degree Options
Non-degree options are designed for those individuals interested in taking courses in the College but not interested in pursuing a graduate degree. For information on the non-degree program, email coe-admissions@lehigh.edu. There are two non-degree options:
- Regular non-degree and
- Non-degree for external certification.
Regular non-degree admission is for students who wish to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework at Lehigh University without seeking a degree. Any transcript or other record from the University will clearly indicate the student status as non-degree. Non-degree students are not permitted to audit courses. University admissions criteria for non-degree graduate students are (a) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 on a four-point scale or (b) to have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale for a minimum of 12 graduate credits at another accredited institution.
Non-degree for external certification students are admitted to pursue coursework for the purpose of obtaining certification through an external accrediting agency. Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale or to have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale for a minimum of 12 graduate credits at another accredited institution. Applicants are assigned certification advisers on admissions and must work with the adviser to assure that they complete all requirements for certification satisfactorily. Students complete the coursework and any other required field experiences for the appropriate certification, with the number of credits and field experiences being dictated by the external accrediting agency. Thus, the number of credits will vary and will typically exceed the 12 credit limit for regular non-degree students. A non-degree student seeking such certification must meet the quality standards of the certification program, as well as completing the necessary coursework and field experiences.
Changing from Non-Degree to Degree Status
Non-degree students of either type may seek admission to a degree program. Non-degree students who seek admission to a degree program must meet all regular admissions criteria, complete all regular application procedures, and present all documents normally required of degree-seeking applicants to that program. Courses taken by a non-degree student who later enters a degree program will count towards the completion of the program to the extent that those courses fall within the normal requirements of the program and to the extent that the student's performance in the course(s) is acceptable for degree program purposes. Any course that is counted towards the completion of a degree must be completed within the established time limits for that degree, whether taken initially as a degree or non-degree course.
4+1 Accelerated Master’s Programs
Undergraduates may apply to the college’s 4+1 Accelerated Master's Programs. The 4+1 programs are designed to allow students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years instead of the traditional six years.
Minors
Undergraduate students may also pursue a minor in education or learning sciences. Both minors provide an opportunity for undergraduates to take selected coursework to deepen their understanding of learning and development that will complement any undergraduate program of study.
Financial assistance
Graduate and research assistantships are available in the college and in various administrative offices on campus. In addition, graduate students may be recommended for a limited number of fellowships and endowed scholarships that are awarded by the college.
College of Education Clinic Opportunities
Lehigh’s Centennial School, a laboratory school for children with challenging behaviors, provides employment for some Lehigh education students. Graduate students may apply for teaching internships, which cover tuition and offer a salary.
Lehigh University Autism Services (LUAS) provides intervention to young autistic children and their families. Paid positions are available. In addition, supervised fieldwork, required for BCBA certification, is provided through LUAS.
