Programs in Teacher Education, Leadership and Human Services

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At Duquesne University's School of Education, we prepare you to become best-in-class educators, school psychologists, administrators, counselors, professors and so much more. Our nationally accredited undergraduate, master's, doctoral degrees and licensure/certification programs empower you to make a difference in the Pittsburgh region and throughout the world.

You will earn a quality education built on Duquesne's solid reputation as a top-tier university and learn from faculty who are a diverse group of teacher-scholars whose research has gained national and international recognition, earning them numerous grants and awards.

A Horizon-Expanding Education

Our School of Education at Duquesne University has a rich history of preparing leaders for more than 90 years. The School of Education, located in Canevin Hall, is home to many diverse programs, faculty members, and students.

Our culture is welcoming, diverse, and inclusive, and we have a profound concern for moral and spiritual values, and a deep commitment to helping every student achieve. Duquesne's School of Education builds legacies by transforming lives and we have a proud tradition of preparing educational leaders and conducting scholarship for schools in the Spiritan Tradition of Caring. These things make us different and proud to be the Duquesne University School of Education.

Our faculty come from all over the world and have earned their degrees from some of the best universities in our country. Their research is cutting edge and has earned them national and international recognition. They have published numerous books and peer-reviewed manuscripts, and have received numerous grants and awards.

Our mission at Duquesne University is "Serving God by serving students who go on to serve others," and as an educator, educational leader, or educational advocate, you will be living the mission of the Spiritan founders daily.

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IMPACTING AT ALL LEVELS

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Undergraduate Programs

At Duquesne, become the teacher you were meant to be.

Explore our Undergrad Programs
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Master's & Doctoral Programs

Advance your career in the field and join an extensive network of scholars and professionals in the Pittsburgh region and beyond.

Explore our Graduate Programs
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Certification Programs

Choose from 10 certification and licensure programs we offer to help you enhance and diversify your current skill set.

Certification Programs

Great education, Great value

Understanding the adverse factors educators face in the current market, we are committed to providing students with a high-quality education at an affordable price. A Duquesne University education is an investment in your future. This investment will prepare you to reach the height of your career and provide a meaningful return on your investment.

50%Towards Tuition

Our 50% Tuition Scholarship is offered to undergraduate full-time, first-year, and transfer students in our School of Education.

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Dual Certification

Earn Dual Certification in General and Special Education to meet the diverse educational needs of students in the prek-4, middle level or secondary education classroom.

Skyline view of town and country side in Spain, photo credit to student Emma McDonnell

Teach Abroad

Duquesne's School of Education is the only school in Pittsburgh to have a partnership with Indiana University’s Global Gateway for Teachers Program.

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Curriculum Center

Transform the learning and developmental experiences of K-12 learners inside or outside of the classroom through the resources of the Curriculum Center – a collection of PreK-12 educational resources designed to support schools and programs on campus working with children.

Admitted Students

Take the next steps to become the teacher you were meant to be! Visit us on campus, complete your financial aid forms and enroll today!

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Become the Teacher You Were Meant to Be

Our undergraduate teacher education programs and graduate programs provide a mission-oriented, student-centered culture that will position you to lead inside and outside of the classroom. These programs prepare you to become an educator in K-12 schools, nontraditional schools or other educational settings as a classroom teacher, a special education teacher, an education specialist or a faculty member.

School of Education alumnus Terrell Nelson

Impact the Field with a Leadership Degree

At the Duquesne University School of Education, our leadership programs are rooted in the ideals of ethics, compassion and social justice. Our alumni hold leadership roles at area school districts, local community organizations and also serve on various associations and councils; and are employed as K-12 school principals, school or district supervisors, educational administrators, faculty or instructional designers.

A professor gives a student a lesson in the classroom.

Make a Difference in Human Services with a Degree in Counseling or Psychology

Our mission is rooted in helping others and serving our communities. Meeting others' needs and remaining committed to improving the overall quality of life of service populations is part of our rich history. Through our human services programs, we prepare our students to meet individuals where they are in their circumstances and help them to develop, thrive and contribute to society. Our School of Education students receive intense training in counseling, teaching, supervision, research and advocacy. Our alumni are employed as school psychologists, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors and faculty.

Headshot of Dr. Xia Chao on campus

My work builds fundamental foundations for mutual understanding between people, especially those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Academic Departments

There are three academic departments within the School of Education and each of our programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, are housed under one of these unique departments.

Our Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology (DCESP) prepares ethical leaders, distinguished by their academic and professional expertise, who respect the uniqueness and promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through teaching, scholarship, and service. This department houses master's programs, doctoral programs, and other certification/licensure programs including:

Master's Programs

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling-M.S.
  • Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling-M.S.
  • School Counseling-M.S.Ed
  • School Counseling for Certified Teachers-M.S.Ed.
  • Child Psychology- M.S.Ed.

Doctoral Programs

  • School Psychology-Ph.D.
  • School Psychology-Psy.D.
  • Counseling Education and Supervision-Ph.D.

Other Certification/Licensure

  • Licensure as a Professional Counselor
  • School Counseling

Our Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership (DEFL) prides itself on living the Duquesne University Mission of "serving God by serving students." This department offers a range of classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Our courses are integral not only to pedagogy of assessment, evaluation, statistical methods, research design, principles of behavior, and educational leadership but also to disciplines across K-12 general and special education classrooms, ABA-based agencies, and higher education institutions.

In addition, our department houses a number of degree programs both at the master's and doctoral levels which train exemplary scholars and practitioners dedicated to fulfilling the School of Education's proud tradition of preparing social justice oriented educational leaders who value inclusive excellence and equity in education and by conducting scholarship for schools.

The programs housed in this department include:

Degree Programs

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), M.S.Ed.
  • Education Administration (K-12)-M.S.Ed. and Pennsylvania Certification
  • School Supervision-M.S.Ed. and Pennsylvania Certification
  • Higher Education Administration-M.S.
  • Educational Leadership-Ed.D.
  • Special Education: Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities-M.S.Ed.

Other Certification/Licensure

  • Autism Endorsement
  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Exam Preparation
  • Verified Course Sequence in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

When students join a program in our Department of Instruction and Leadership in Education (DILE), their degree or credential(s) can take them anywhere. Collectively, our faculty has extensive experience in local schools as well as national and international prominence in the areas of research and teaching.

Our Department of Instruction and Leadership in education houses teaching certification programs, graduate degrees, and other certification programs. These programs include:

Teaching Certification

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)-B.S.Ed. and MAT
  • Middle-Level Education (4-8)-B.S.Ed
  • Secondary Education (7-12): English-B.S.Ed and MAT
  • Secondary Education(7-12): Mathematics-B.S.Ed. and M.S.Ed
  • Secondary Education(7-12): Social Studies-B.S.Ed and M.S.Ed
  • Secondary Education(7-12): Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)-B.S.Ed and M.S.Ed

Master's Degree

  • Instructional Technology-M.S.Ed.
  • Reading and Language Arts-M.S.Ed.

Other Certification

  • Instructional Technology
  • Online Teaching Endorsement

Education Faculty

Tara Abbott

Tara Abbott

Program Director | Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Rachel Ayieko

Rachel Ayieko

Program Director | Associate Professor in Mathematics Education

Nandini Bhowmick

Nandini Bhowmick

Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Melissa Boston

Melissa Boston

Associate Dean for Teacher Education | Professor

Liliana Castrellón

Liliana Castrellón

Director of the UCEA Center for Educational Leadership and Social Justice | Assistant Professor, School of Education

Xia Chao

Xia Chao

Program Director | Associate Professor, School of Education

Laura Crothers

Laura Crothers

Professor, School of Education

David Delmonico

David Delmonico

Professor, School of Education

Jessica Dirsmith

Jessica Dirsmith

Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Gretchen Generett

Gretchen Generett

Dean | Noble J. Dick Endowed Chair in Community Outreach | Professor, School of Education

Bridget Green

Bridget Green

Program Director | Assistant Professor, School of Education

Valerie Gresser

Valerie Gresser

Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Misook Heo

Misook Heo

Professor, School of Education

Ann Huang

Ann Huang

Associate Professor

Tammy Hughes

Tammy Hughes

Professor, School of Education

Matthew Joseph

Matthew Joseph

Program Director | Associate Professor, School of Education

Gibbs Kanyongo

Gibbs Kanyongo

Department Chair | Professor of Educational Statistics, School of Education

Jered Kolbert

Jered Kolbert

Professor

Joseph Kush

Joseph Kush

Program Director | Professor, School of Education

Karen Levitt

Karen Levitt

Director of Teaching & Certification | Associate Professor, School of Education

Kathryn Linich

Kathryn Linich

Associate Program Director | Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Yihhsing Liu

Yihhsing Liu

Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Reva Mathieu-Sher

Reva Mathieu-Sher

Assistant Professor, School of Education

Elizabeth McCallum

Elizabeth McCallum

Department Chair | Associate Professor, School of Education

Rick McCown

Rick McCown

Program Director | Pierre Schouver Endowed Chair - School of Education | Professor

Kara McGoey

Kara McGoey

Program Director | Professor, School of Education

Christopher Meidl

Christopher Meidl

Associate Professor

Carla Meyer

Carla Meyer

Program Director | Reading Clinic Director | Associate Professor

Cliff Oliech

Cliff Oliech

Visiting Instructor, School of Education

Amy Olson

Amy Olson

Director of Graduate Studies | Associate Professor, School of Education

Jason Ritter

Jason Ritter

Department Chair | Associate Professor, School of Education

Ara Schmitt

Ara Schmitt

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement | Professor

Michael Sickels

Michael Sickels

Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Education

Madeleine Stevens

Madeleine Stevens

Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education

Julia Williams

Julia Williams

Clinical Associate Professor, School of Education

Hear from Our Alums

Morgan Ziolkowski smiling in graduation regalia next to Duquesne Ring monument on campus with lantern and city buildings in background

My favorite part of the School of Education at Duquesne was the mentor teachers and students I was able to meet through my field placements. I also loved getting to meet some of my best friends in my classes and going through all my schooling with them!

Morgan Ziolkowski B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education '22
Joseph Welch

There are many more careers out there that you can choose from. Some more lucrative, some with more flexibility, some that may feel more honored but your choice allows you to impact thousands of students. One lesson at a time! One conversation at a time! One student at a time!

Joseph Welch 8th Grade Teacher for North Hills School District | B.S.Ed. Secondary Education '07
Hear from Joe
Environmental portrait of M.S.Ed. education alumna Carrie Miller

“The faculty in Duquesne University's M.S.Ed. Education Administration program are committed to developing personal relationships with their students. No matter how much time passes, they always provide the encouragement needed to get through tough, professional times.”

Carrie Miller Executive Director, Breakthrough Pittsburgh at Sewickley Academy | M.S.Ed. Education Administration ‘12

 

Duquesne - Pittsburgh Connection

Duquesne University School of Education students and faculty work with over 75 school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region through student teaching and other hands-on learning experiences.

School of Education's Dr. Christopher Meidl and his students assisted with the reopening of ABK Learning & Development Center. This opportunity aligned with Dr. Meidl's desire to work collaboratively within the Pittsburgh community as part of a socially just and culturally invested approach to the Leading Teacher Program at Duquesne, a main focus of the School of Education's mission. The reopening of the center was celebrated with a visit from Ben Carson, the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Students in the Equity Education Certificate program engage in equity-focused course curriculums and  have the opportunity to learn alongside Pittsburgh community members as they complete community-engaged learning hours at various community organizations.

Explore the Equity Education Certificate Program

The Reading Clinic serves students and parents in Greater Pittsburgh and beyond through providing individualized, assessment-based reading intervention for children from ages 6-16. Experienced faculty, practicing reading specialists, and graduate students from our Reading Specialist program work to help young readers thrive.

Learn about the Reading Clinic's services.

 

It's Time for Bigger Goals

Earn your degree from one of our highly nationally-accredited programs. We are proud of our numerous undergraduate and graduate programs that have earned national accreditation from the following select accrediting bodies.

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American Psychological Association (APA)

American Psychological Association (APA)

Accreditation by the APA tells prospective students, other institutions of higher learning, and the public that our programs have met the standards that verify our ability to prepare graduates to provide outstanding, evidence-based clinical service to ensure the well-being of the public and promote best practices in education. Questions related to accreditation of the program should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association; 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002; Phone: (202) 336-5979

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) logo

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

CACREP accreditation indicates that the program has a rigorous curriculum and provides comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP programs have greater portability for licensure and certification.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) logo

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

CAEP Accreditation is a select honor to nationally recognize program quality for educator preparation. This represents that our students are well equipped to meet the needs of K-12 students as well as their communities and schools. We are one of five institutions in Pennsylvania to receive this accreditation.

Accreditation Complaints:  APA | CAEP

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