Professional Development for Educators

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Program Overview

King’s College meets the needs of local educators with expanded course selection in Professional Development. For added flexibility and convenience, some offerings are available as blended-format courses, which combine face-to-face classroom time and online work.

teachers meeting at a round table in a classroom

Certificate Programs

King’s offers preparation coursework for specializations or administrative leadership positions. Earn coursework toward Pennsylvania Department of Education’s certification areas in 12 to 24 months with flexible online or campus-based formats.

English as a Second Language Specialist Certification

For educators who already hold a master’s degree (and a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate), earn your English as a Second Language Specialist Certification (15 credits) on campus. EDUC 601 is required for the certificate but does not count in the M.Ed. concentration.

EDUC 600 Second Language Acquisition: Theory & Practice (3 credits)
EDUC 601 ESL Clinical Field Experience
EDUC 605 ESL Instruction: Theory & Practice (3 credits)
EDUC 610 ESL Assessment: Theory & Practice (3 credits)
EDUC 615 Dimensions of Culture (3 credits)

Reading Specialist Certification

For educators who already hold a master’s degree (and a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate), earn your Reading Specialist Certification online or on campus to enrich your curriculum design, work one-on-one with students, and positively impact literacy and success. This 24-credit certification can be completed online, after which you will be eligible to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification.

EDUC 505/ 605 ELL Adaptations or ESL Instruction: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
EDUC 510 Developmental Nature of Reading (3 credits)
EDUC 515 Reading in the Content Area (3 credits)
EDUC 516 Reading Disabilities: Diagnosis & Prescription (3 credits)
EDUC 517 Literacy Leadership & Instructional Coaching (3 credits)
EDUC 520 The Writing Process K-12 (3 credits)
EDUC 523 Children’s & Adolescent Literature in Reading Instruction (3 credits)
EDUC 550 Reading Clinic Practicum (3 credits)

School Principal Certification

The demands of PK-12 education are rapidly evolving, and strong administrators are critical in leading their local education agencies (LEAs) through change. The 18-credit Principal Certificate Program is designed for working educational professionals seeking to develop their school leadership and management skills and advance their careers as executive leaders. Hosted entirely online, this flexible and competitively priced program can be completed within 24 months (maximum length) and will prepare you for:

Supervising, directing, and assessing certified and non-certified staff through an organizational vision
Liaising with the superintendent regarding matters that substantially affect employment, assignment, transfer, promotion, layoff, or other similar personnel actions
Incorporating instructional leadership into organizational behavior that raises the level of teaching and learning in the classroom
Supervising your district’s curriculum, instructional program, and pupil personnel services program
Strategic planning for management of school finances, facilities, and human resources that yields effective decision making
Coordinating school interactions with school boards, community organizations, special interest groups, parents/family members, and other members of the community
Upon successful completion of the Principal Certificate program, you will be well-prepared to serve in an administrative role at the elementary, middle, or secondary level. Potential job placements include Principal, Assistant Principal, Assistant to Superintendent, Curriculum Specialist, and more pending district requirements. Tuition and fee information is available here.

The School Principal certification qualifies educators holding a current teaching certification and three (3) years of professional classroom experience. Cohorts begin each fall semester and include a 260-hour practicum designed to give students practical experience in school administration.

Endorsement Coursework Programs

Earn your endorsement online or on campus to improve your knowledge and skills in emerging areas of education. These endorsement certifications can be added to an existing Level I or Level II certificate.

STEM Education Endorsement

For educators who already hold a master’s degree (and a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate), earn your STEM Education Plan Endorsement (12 credits).

EDUC 672 STEM Design (3 credits)*
EDUC 674 STEM Methods (3 credits)*
EDUC 676 STEM Assessments (3 credits)*
EDUC 678 STEM Practicum (3 credits)*

ENDORSEMENT OPTION: For those who already hold their master’s degree, starred courses can be completed to earn the STEM Education Plan Endorsement (12 credits).

Instructional Coaching Endorsement

For educators who already hold a master’s degree (and a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate), earn your Instructional Coaching Endorsement (12 credits).

EDUC 501 Foundations of Instructional Coaching (3 credits)
EDUC 517 Literacy Leadership & Instructional Coaching (3 credits)
EDUC 521 Alternative Assessment (3 credits)
EDUC 525 Instructional Coaching Practicum (3 credits)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement

For educators who already hold a master’s degree (and a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate), earn your Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement to improve assessment and instructional interventions. This 12-credit certification can be completed online, after which you will be eligible to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for endorsement.

EDUC 700 Characteristics and Etiology of Autism (3 credits)
EDUC 705 Instructional Interventions & Methods for Autism (3 credits)
EDUC 710 Autism Assessment for Instructional Planning (3 credits)
EDUC 715 Collaboration with Families, Agencies, & Community (3 credits)

Gifted Endorsement Program - Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9

In partnership with Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9, the 12-credit Gifted Endorsement Program is designed for working educators who wish to improve their understanding of the unique characteristics, emotional and social needs, and issues associated with teaching gifted students.

Through the program, you will examine and develop expertise in the historical, state, and national trends, policies, and guidelines to implement appropriate curricula, differentiation strategies, current best practice, educational interventions, and support. All graduate courses are designed to enhance and inspire your professional competencies as a leader and promote purposeful learning.

Hosted entirely online in asynchronous and synchronous sessions, this flexible and competitively priced program involves and embraces personalized academic support, engages leaders in professional learning networks and communities, and implements a practitioner-focused approach.

EDUC 652 Foundations of Gifted Education (3 credits)
EDUC 653 Identification and Assessment (3 credits)
EDUC 654 Service Delivery Options (3 credits)
EDUC 655 Curriculum Design & Strategies in the Classroom (3 credits)

SAS and Inclusionary Practices

King’s recognizes the needs of teachers just starting in the profession by offering courses they are required to complete to obtain Instructional Level II certification. The course “Standards Aligned Systems (SAS): What the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Requires Every Teacher to Know” is offered in January. The Inclusionary Practices course is offered in March in an accelerated weekend format.

Tuition Deferment Program

If you are eligible for tuition reimbursement, you may sign up for the Tuition Deferment Program, which will defer your tuition until you have received your course grade. To sign up, please complete the Tuition Deferment Form and email it to businessofficestaff@kings.edu.

Contact Us

Judie Burridge

Assistant Director of Graduate Admission

(570) 208-5850

judieburridge@kings.edu