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. 

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.

Lehigh’s Centennial School, a laboratory school for children with emotional/behavior disorders, 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.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

This degree is offered in the following professional specializations: behavior analysis; elementary education, globalization and educational change, secondary education, special education, educational leadership, instructional technology, international school counseling, mental health counseling, school counseling, and teaching and learning. Degree requirements vary from program to program. Please note: the College of Education is no longer accepting applications for the globalization and educational change program.

Master of Arts (M.A.)

The master of arts is available in comparative and international education. This M.A. examines educational policy and theory on an international level, preparing its graduates to work in educational research and policy organizations, government offices, ministries of education, and international development organizations. Please note: The College of Education is no longer accepting applications for the M.A. in comparative and international education.

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 preK-12 and post secondary settings and non-formal learning environments (such as museums and science centers). The program is targeted toward individuals from varied backgrounds who wish to support educators or learn themselves to design, develop, and incorporate technology applications more effectively in diverse educational settings.. This degree is ideal for those who teach in the classroom and online, technology specialists, informal educators, and others interested in effectively using information and communication technologies to enhance instruction. The program is designed to develop skills that can be used to create new curriculum and learning activities to meet the demands of a changing technological society and the needs of new generations of students. As such, graduates may be designing online courses, enhancing existing curriculum with emerging technologies, or working as technology specialists, assisting with the integration of technology in academic and informal learning environments. The instructional technology graduate program is intended for both current professionals in the education field as well as those who are seeking an advanced degree to enhance their skills and knowledge base related to technology. 

Master in Business Administration/Master of Education (MBA/M.Ed.)

The MBA and master’s of education joint degree program offers students the opportunity to acquire a solid foundation in both business and education. Designed to increase the administrative skill required in today’s educational systems, the MBA/M.Ed. provides a framework in which excellent education and sound business practices can flourish. The MBA/M.Ed. will provide an additional option for students for business and students of educational leadership. The program should enhance the student’s marketability in private and public sector education while providing students with an understanding of the cultures of both business and education. Please note: The College of Education is no longer accepting applications for the MBA/M.ED. program.

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 develop additional skills or increase their knowledge beyond the master's degree level, but may not wish to pursue a degree at the doctoral level.

Certification Programs

The College offers programs of study leading to eligibility for Pennsylvania state certifications in various professional specialties including elementary and secondary teacher education, special education;  supervisor of curriculum and instruction; superintendent; K-12 principal; and ESL program specialist. 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 international school counseling, behavior analysis; learning design in educational and professional settings; social, emotional, behavioral wellness; teaching English as a second language; game-based learning, college admissions counseling, and mental health and education of Latin American people in the US. Lehigh’s post-baccalaureate certificate programs are focused concentrations of 12 to 18 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).

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The College of Education also offers the Ph.D. degree in comparative and international education, counseling psychology, school psychology, special education, and teaching, learning and technology. The requirements for this degree are the same as those for the Ph.D. in the other colleges and as described in previous sections. Please note: The College of Education is no longer accepting applications for the Ph.D. in comparative and international education.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The doctor of education degree program provides specialized study in educational leadership. Successful professional experience is required for admission to candidacy. The requirements for the Ed.D. degree parallel those already stated for the Ph.D. degree.

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 as well:

1. Regular non-degree and
2. 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.

Non-degree students 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. Undergraduate students may also pursue a minor in education. The Education minor allows upper level undergraduates to take selected coursework that combines practical activities with theoretical work and is designed to provide a foundation for further studies at the graduate level. Students enrolled in courses in the College of Education should check with their advisers for a list of regulations and requirements governing degree programs.