You can make a difference for the next generation with a Carlow University master’s degree in Early Childhood Supervision. The program prepares early childhood leaders for positions in child care centers and elementary programs serving children from birth through sixth grade. Most principals are not prepared for Pre-K through kindergarten and early elementary leadership, which is this program’s focus.

Carlow will train you to become an effective, ethical agent of systemic change who can tackle implicit bias, racism and equity issues in the early childhood field, and connect you with like-minded educators.

A Carlow students sits at her desk with her laptop. Her hands are folded and she is smiling at the camera.
Credits required:

33 credits

Cost per credit:

$618/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 18 months

Delivery:

Online
Pracitcum placement onsite 

Carlow’s program is designed for working adults using a hybrid eight-week course format delivered over three semesters. Course topics include professional development and supervision, planning and administering early childhood programs, and supervising programs in early childhood education.

Quick facts

  • Complete your degree in 3 semesters
  • Accelerated 8-week course format offered online and on campus
  • Adult learner-friendly schedule with evening courses
  • Access to an early learning lab and professional development workshops
  • Networking opportunities with early childhood leaders across Pennsylvania
MEd in Early Childhood Supervision Alumni reading to a group of kids
Teacher reading a book with a class of preschool children

Career opportunities for MEd in Early Childhood Supervision

Many school districts across the country report vacancies or a lack of qualified applicants for school leadership roles, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this degree, you will be prepared for careers in advanced leadership and administrative positions in early child care centers, schools, district offices and nonprofit groups, including early childhood administrator, K-2 principal, Pre-K Counts evaluator, early childhood curriculum director and early childhood mentor.


Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni

RACHEL OWENS, 2010

Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School

"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."

ANTWAN CARTER, 2018

Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare

"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."

MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020

Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District

"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."

Testimonials #1

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.

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If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

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“The Scholar-Practitioner paradigm is the central, organizing theme of Carlow’s education program, and it is a beautiful, living philosophy that informs everything faculty and students do together in the program. As a full-time educator, it is more important to me than ever that my professional learning opportunities mirror and have resonance and utility with my daily work. I can say unequivocally that this was true of my coursework at Carlow – the learning informed my practice and my practice informed the learning. Carlow’s education program provides students with a remarkable framework for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom. Every professor at Carlow pushed me not only to consider the everyday realities and complexities of teaching in the present, but also to conceptualize and work toward the even greater possible futures of the profession. I can’t say enough positive things about the Creative Inquiry course and process. The entire journey of constructing the Scholarly Personal Narrative (a thesis based on a combination of inquiry-based research rooted in the tradition of personal narrative) during this course was incredibly rewarding. The sense of accomplishment I felt when my piece was finally completed was simply indescribable. I found that the more questions I asked when developing my thesis, the more excited I was by the prospect of someday continuing to explore my inquiry topic via postgraduate research. Teachers are seldom asked in their professional lives to relate their understanding of education in terms of storytelling and narrative, so the opportunity afforded by this course to delve into the greater implications and meaning of my own experiences in the field was both intellectually and emotionally fulfilling.” 

Wes Garis
2024 Graduate 

Carlow’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership will prepare you for advanced leadership positions in public, private or nonprofit educational institutions. You’ll be prepared to become a leader with the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to respond to educational challenges with an equity lens. 

Carlow’s collaboration with area schools gives students access to meaningful internship experiences alongside mentor principals as they lead schools, design strategic plans, use data to make informed decisions and engage with stakeholders to implement initiatives that best serve a diverse student body.

Students work on their assignment during class. All are seated at desks of 2-3 people.
Credits required:

30 credits

Cost per credit:

$618/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 12 months

Delivery:

Online
Internship In-Person 

The curriculum uses project-based applications of skills and competencies and includes specialized coursework in improvement science, systems thinking and building networked communities. We have a 100% pass rate on the principal certification for the past 10 years.

Quick facts

  • Experience a yearlong internship with a mentor principal
  • Pursue extensive professional development opportunities 
  • Continue to work while completing your degree 
  • 100% pass rate on the Principal Certification exam for the past 10 years
MEd in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification alum with her arms crossed

Principal Certification Prep

If you have already earned an MEd and are looking to add a principal certification we offer an 18-credit preparation pathway

Career opportunities for Master’s in Education Leadership 

Leadership skills are always in demand, making the career outlook for education management bright. A Carlow master’s degree will help you achieve your goals as a principal, program director or administrator.

Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects are best for those with experience developing online and mobile training programs. BLS projects employment of elementary, middle and high school principals to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.


Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni

RACHEL OWENS, 2010

Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School

"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."

ANTWAN CARTER, 2018

Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare

"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."

MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020

Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District

"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."

Testimonials #1

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work.
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall & Spring

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success. You’ll also need to have three years of successful classroom or educational experience prior to program admission

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If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

Follow us and stay up-to-date on events and opportunities to learn more about our program and faculty.

With a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Carlow University you’ll be ready to thrive as a middle or high school teacher and to meet the unique needs of today’s students.

Students work on their assignment during class. All are seated at desks of 2-3 people.
Credits required: 

35 credits

Cost per credit: 

$618/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 12 months

Delivery: 

Online
Student Teaching In-Person 

Carlow University’s Secondary Certification Program prepares prospective teachers of grades 7 through 12 in the content areas of biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, and social studies.

Carlow’s Scholar-Practitioner Framework emphasizes reflection in promoting teachers’ awareness of their own developing pedagogy and curricular insights to create positive learning environments for adolescent learners. The program aims to prepare culturally responsive and antiracist educators who are aware of the psychological, sociological, and political aspects of teaching and learning. This is all done through a purposeful progression of courses and field work that prepares future teachers to enter the classroom to meet the needs of today’s students.

Quick facts

  • Our program prepares just and merciful educators who are committed to removing barriers for students  
  • This program prepares students for Pennsylvania Department of Education teaching certification in Secondary Education 
  • Partnerships with area school districts allow for immersive and meaningful field work and student teaching 

Career opportunities for Masters in Secondary Education

With an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Carlow University, you will be positioned to assume a middle school or high school teaching position in public, private, charter or parochial schools.  You may elect to work in nonprofit or out-of-school learning envioments supportng adolescents or young adults


Testimonials #1
Meet our Alumni

RACHEL OWENS, 2010

Director of Special Education, Provident Charter School

"When deciding to attend graduate school, Carlow University was a natural choice, not only because of its familiarity, but also because of the various degree options."

ANTWAN CARTER, 2018

Head Teacher, Child’s World Daycare

"I especially loved The Campus Laboratory School. It was a chance to experience the design of different classrooms, closely observe many teaching styles, and practice using different instructional strategies in a supportive environment."

MICHAEL SHOATS, 2020

Chemistry Teacher, Avonworth School District

"I want to take this moment and thank Dr. Keely Baronak and the whole Carlow team for the education and experiences I've gained from the MEd Secondary Education program. I'm excited to represent Carlow in my new home."

Testimonials #1

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall & Spring

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.

Certification requirements

Upon completion of the course requirements in the program, you must successfully pass: 

  • Student teaching with a combined score of 4 or higher on both PDE 430 evaluation forms
  • Praxis Content Area exam in your discipline. 

Once you have met these requirements, you may apply for certification with the state.

You may qualify for the Carlow Noyce Program which offers up to $18,000 to graduate students pursuing teaching certification.

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If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

Follow us and stay up-to-date on events and opportunities to learn more about our program and faculty.

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Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Jackie smith at jmsmith@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.