The Drexel University's bachelor's and master's five-year accelerated degree programs provide a unique opportunity for incoming freshmen who wish to acquire their teaching certification and continue on in an area of education studies specialization.
The Master of Science (MS) component is provided in a blended format where the majority of course work is offered online and supplemented with classroom-based and work-based field experiences/graduate internships. This accelerated, dual degree program aims to help undergraduate students accomplish more and take advantage of online delivery options while working towards becoming certified teachers.
Students are offered two options in Drexel University School of Education's dual degree program:
- BS/MS Program with BS in Education
- BS/MS Program with BS in a Non-Education Major
The undergraduate curriculum for the accelerated BS/ MS program is the same as for the stand-alone B.S. in Education program. The graduate component is provided in a blended format where the majority of course work is offered online and supplemented with classroom-based and work-based field experiences/graduate internships. Students transferring into the School of Education from another Drexel University program or from another college or university may consider this program as an option.
Students may pursue their undergraduate degree and initial teacher certification as an Education major and their graduate degree in one of the programs noted below. At the end of the sophomore year, a review of the student's content and pedagogy coursework will be required to determine acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program.
Undergraduate students need to earn 90 credits before starting graduate coursework. Students are awarded their undergraduate degree once all of the graduation requirements are met. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, students are converted to graduate status, where they continue working towards completing the requirements of the graduate degree.
Bachelor Degree Options in Elementary Education
Bachelor Degree Options in Secondary Education
Master Degree Options in Education
Click on one of the degree options listed above to view course descriptions.
The Education Co-Op Experience
A six-month co-op in an industry or business related to each student's primary area of teacher certification, in addition to student teaching, is a program requirement in the Five-Year BS/MS program. For example, a student seeking certification in chemistry might co-op within the chemical industry. This provides the student with a unique perspective that adds significant value and depth to their classroom teaching. For more information, visit The Co-op Experience.
High-performing undergraduate students majoring in an area other than education can pursue initial teacher certification as a component of the MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum or, if teacher certification is not desired, pursue their MS degree in one of the other graduate areas offered by the School of Education. The graduate course work is provided in a blended format where the majority of course work is offered online and supplemented with classroom-based and work-based field experiences/graduate internships.
As an enrolled student, you will work closely with your undergraduate and graduate advisors to ensure that all regular undergraduate and graduate course requirements are met.
What Non-Education Majors Are Eligible to Apply?
Please visit the undergraduate admissions website to view the average student profile.
Most undergraduate majors are able to apply for this program except those enrolled in these specific programs:
- College of Computing & Informatics
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- School of Public Health
- Architecture
- Biomedical Engineering
- Communications (BA)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Construction Management
- Culinary Arts and Science
- Engineering Technology
- Product Design
- Undeclared – General Humanities and Social Sciences
- Undeclared – Science (One Co-op Option)
Master’s Degree Options in Education
The master’s portion of the program introduces online study. Students have the option to pursue a master’s degree in the same areas as Education Majors:
Teacher Certification Options
Students wishing to satisfy requirements for a Pennsylvania teaching certificate must select the MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum for the MS component of the program.
Primary teacher certification includes:
- Elementary Education (grades PreK-4)
- Environmental Education (grades K-12)
- Biology — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Chemistry — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Earth & Space Science — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- English — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- General Science — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Mathematics — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Physics — Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Social Studies - Secondary (grades 7-12)
- Special Education (see NOTE below)
NOTE: Special Education Teacher Certification also is available, but may not serve as a primary area of teacher certification. Students wishing to complete requirements for Special Education Certification in addition to one of the other available primary areas of teacher certification will take required special education course work in lieu of professional and free electives in the MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum degree program and must work closely with the program's advisor.
Anyone wishing to enroll in the accelerated BS/MS in Education degree program must be accepted for admission to Drexel University. To start your application, please visit the Drexel University Admissions website.
Can international students enroll in this program?
Yes, international students can apply and enroll in the accelerated masters program. Future students should visit the Office of International Student Scholars and Services website for resources and information on how to apply and attend Drexel University. Current students should contact their academic advisor for instructions on how to apply to the program.
Are there prerequisites to enroll in this program?
Students must apply for admission to Drexel University and be accepted into the accelerated BS/MS program. For students applying to Bachelor of Science programs in the School of Education, three years of mathematics (algebra I & II, and geometry) and at least one year of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics) is required. Please visit the admissions website for prerequisites for other academic programs.
What states can I teach in following the completion of this program?
Students who complete a bachelor’s degree in elementary or teacher education can take the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s praxis exam to become a certified teacher in PA. Pennsylvania has interstate reciprocity agreements with most states in the US. Click here to view specific transfer policies for each state.
Can I add a minor to my BS/MS degree?
Students should talk to their academic advisor about adding a minor to their plan of study to ensure that 1) they can use their elective credits to complete the minor, and 2) that pursuing the minor will not affect their planned graduation date and requirements for the BS/MS 5-year degree program.