The purpose of the syllabus is to provide information about the course and the broader university learning environment: course objectives, readings, assignments, policies, forms of academic support, and other relevant information to support the student learning experience. The syllabus is a kind of contract between students and the instructor that outlines the course design and content, provides an overview of what students can expect from the course and professor, and states the responsibilities and requirements they are expected to fulfill in order to complete the course.  Please refer to the below information for university-wide policies regarding syllabi. 

Additional information and in-depth resources on course design for student-centered learning, including an introduction to the Backward Design of courses, Course Planning Guides, information on Inclusive Teaching Practices in course design and delivery, and best practices to Create Student Learning Outcomes, can be found on the Course Design page of the Faculty Center’s Guide to Teaching and Learning. Also refer to the Writing Student Learning Outcomes webpage on the university’s Assessment of Student Learning website and Examples of Liberal Arts Learning Outcomes in Course Syllabi for additional resources.

Given the key role that the syllabus plays in guiding student learning and expectations, university policy states that syllabi are required for all classes. All instructors should provide each student with a paper or electronic copy of the syllabus on the first day of class. For online classes, syllabi should be posted to Canvas before the first day of class. In addition, all faculty members must post their syllabi to Canvas by the end of the first week of class.

Certain items, such as a course description, the attendance policy, and the academic honesty policy, must be included in every course syllabus at The New School. All requirements for the 2023–2024 academic year are listed in the New School Syllabus Requirements. Faculty may find the Complete Syllabus Template helpful in incorporating these requirements into their syllabi.

In addition to the required items on the syllabus, faculty may want to include supplementary material to help students succeed in the course. For example, faculty could provide:

• Helpful hints for studying, taking notes, or doing well in class
• Course policy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, etc.)
• Glossary of technical terms used in the course
• Resources for more in-depth exploration of specific topics
• A Bibliography of supplemental readings
• A calendar of campus lectures, plays, events, exhibitions, or other activities relevant to your course

The Course Design page of the Guide to Teaching and Learning provides additional information and in-depth resources on course design for student-centered learning.

Working under the supervision of the chairs or other designated faculty of the departments or programs in which they teach, Teaching Fellows are the instructors of record for their courses and assume independent responsibility for these classes. They may also participate in pedagogy workshops (if they have not done so already) and college faculty orientations. Teaching Fellows may lead courses within their own disciplines or in related, interdisciplinary subjects. They may also teach courses that are intended to develop research skills and other proficiencies, such as mathematics and statistical methods. Generally, Teaching Fellows have already had experience in the classroom as Teaching Assistants or in some other capacity, and have taken a class on teaching or had some other form of pedagogical training.

While the Provost’s Office coordinates the application process for Teaching Fellows, the departments and programs that sponsor these courses are responsible for making all hiring decisions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend information sessions in the fall semester to learn more about the selection process, the required qualifications for the courses that they would like to teach, and helpful suggestions for putting together a strong application. Applicants should also review carefully the materials posted on this site, as they can be useful during the application process.

2024–2025 Teaching Fellowships
The application for the 2024–2025 academic year will open November 6th. 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for appointment by the time of application. Please note: Some departments have additional required and/or preferred qualifications (these will be posted when the TF application is made available in the current application cycle). Teaching Fellowships are highly selective, and meeting the minimum stated requirements does not guarantee selection.

• Students in programs that offer doctoral degrees at The New School must be accepted into a doctoral degree program at the time of application.
• Students must be matriculated (i.e., enrolled in courses or maintaining status) in the semester(s) in which they will be Teaching Fellows.
• The chair or director of the hiring department or program may set additional preferred qualifications for Teaching Fellows (e.g., teaching experience or previous conferral of a master’s degree).
• Students may not have a grade of "incomplete" for more than one third of their courses.
• Students must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4.
• Students must be within the time limit for attaining their degree.

Master's Students
Students enrolled in terminal master's programs (or programs that offer only a master's degree at The New School) must be finished with 50 percent of their master's degree program by the end of spring 2023 (or the end of summer 2023 for March and MFA Photography students). Students who expect to complete 50 percent of their program by these later dates will be deemed “Tentatively Eligible” at the time of application, and a final review of eligibility will occur once grades are posted for the spring semester.

Basic Responsibilities
All Teaching Fellows are expected to:

• Attend and lead all class meetings
• Make themselves available to students who need individual academic assistance
• Develop and/or revise syllabi as needed in consultation with the chair or director of the department or program sponsoring the course
• Determine and/or clarify course goals and objectives for student learning in consultation with the chair or director of the department or program sponsoring the course
• Develop all assignments in consultation with the chair or director of the department or program sponsoring the course
• Assess student learning, including assignments, papers, projects, attendance, and participation
• Provide grades and other feedback to students in a fair, transparent, and timely fashion
• Meet university deadlines for the submission of attendance rosters and grades
• Use required university systems, such as Starfish
• If the course is online, complete Canvas tutorial before the beginning of semester teaching
• Familiarize themselves with student services and other academic support so that students can be referred for support or assistance as needed
• Abide by all university academic and personnel policies and guidelines, including completion of the FERPA tutorial

Please consult this document for an overview of the differences in responsibilities between Teaching Assistantships and Teaching Fellowships.

Specific duties will be outlined in your appointment letter. Under no circumstances should a TF work more than the assigned number of hours, perform duties not assigned, work outside of the semester in which they are appointed, or pay for work-related expenses.

Application Process
Before applying, carefully read the information below and review the TF Opportunities Document. You can indicate your preference for two to four TF courses on the online application. The application deadline is Friday, December 8.

To apply, log in to the university careers website:

1. Click the "Students" button.
2. Select the job in Teaching Fellowships 2024–2025.
3. Click on "Apply to This Job."
4. Create an account if you do not yet have one.
5. Following the instructions, complete and submit the online application form.

Provide a cover letter of no more than two pages that includes the following information:

• Your academic and professional goals
• The projected timetable for completion of your degree
• Your teaching philosophy (e.g., how you structure a course, how you take differences in learning styles and abilities into consideration when leading discussions or planning lectures, and how your own personal and academic experiences influence your thinking about education)
• A brief statement explaining why you teach and what you value most about education
• Your approach to evaluating and assessing students
• Your general teaching interests (please be sure to list a teaching interest selected from the programs that are hiring. Many programs do not hire TFs and will not be reviewing applications.)

Also provide a curriculum vitae that includes the following information:

• Your educational background (including master's work and thesis topic, if available)
• Any academic honors that you have received
• Your areas of specialty and competence
• Your dissertation topic
• Your professional experience, especially teaching
• Any professional development or training that you have had, especially teaching
• Languages

Some programs also require a short paragraph describing each of two to four courses you would be interested in teaching, with a statement on why you would like to teach them. While some of the programs hiring Teaching Fellows will consider these course proposals, most assign to TFs existing courses that are needed for their majors. A checklist for each program's required application materials and additional program-specific eligibility requirements will be distributed when the TF application is made available in November.

2024–2025 Application Process Timetable
Monday, November 6, 2023
The Teaching Fellowship application form is available on the careers website. Applicants should carefully review the available TF positions and the additional preferred qualifications before applying.

Mid- to Late November 2023
Three TF application Information Sessions hosted by the Provost's Office will be held. See this link for dates and times and information on how to sign up.

Friday, December 8, 2023
The deadline for submission of all application materials. 

Monday, January 8, 2024
Graduate students are emailed notification of their status: Not Eligible, Tentatively Eligible, or Eligible.

Mid-January to early March 2024
Program directors and department chairs are given access to Teaching Fellowship applications. Students may be contacted for interviews anytime between mid-January and early March.

April–May 2024
Colleges notify students if they have been selected as Teaching Fellows.

Please note that additional opportunities may become available throughout the months leading up to each semester. When this happens, appropriate application materials will be distributed for review to the programs and departments that make hiring decisions.

Questions should be sent to TeeShanee Johnson, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs, at [email protected]. A detailed FAQ is also available.

There are few careers that are as rewarding and in demand as the field of teaching. In Pennsylvania, approximately 1.8 million students attending schools in 500 public school districts. According to the US Department of Education, Pennsylvania is facing a shortage of credentialed teachers in high need subject areas such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), special education, and English as a second language. In regard to STEM, Pennsylvania has set a goal to increase enrollment in STEM subjects by 10,000 by 2020 by expanding STEM offerings in public schools. Drexel is a proud partner in this effort and is working with the School District of Philadelphia to create a pipeline of STEM teachers in city schools through their Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program.

Whether you are interested in teaching STEM, ABA careers, or any other subject, Drexel has several educational programs to help you complete the courses needed to earn teacher certification.

If you are changing careers or if you’ve come to the realization that the field you earned a degree in is not for you, Drexel University can help you make a smooth transition into a career in teaching.

How to Make a Career Change to Teaching

When starting your career in teaching, you need to decide which subject area is the right fit for you and your strengths. For example, if you are interested in helping children develop their skills in an elementary school setting in PA, then an elementary education level (Pre-Kindergarten - 4 or Grades 4-8 in a single or dual subject areas e.g. math/English, science/English or Math/Science) is the credential you will need. Likewise, if you have a strong interest in biology, and wish to teach in a high school in PA, then you will need a secondary teaching certification in Biology (Grades 7-12).

Drexel students can choose from multiple paths to earning teacher certification. You can choose to earn a teaching credential through a bachelor’s or master’s degree program that embeds teacher certification requirements, or by enrolling in post-bachelor’s teaching certification only program.

Do you Need a Master’s Degree to Teach?

No, you do not need a master’s degree in order to become a K-12 teacher. There are many alternative pathways to become a licensed educator. Students who have a bachelor’s degree may enroll in a teacher certification program. At Drexel, students in the teacher certification program take only the courses required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for teacher certification.

Students without a bachelor’s degree can enroll in their BS in Education program. Drexel is happy to ease the transition to teaching by offering courses online or on-campus to fit the student’s schedule and learning preferences.

Drexel’s Field Placement Office works with teacher education students to place them in a school that is convenient for them so they can earn the required number of hours of student teaching.

Students may choose to enroll in Drexel’s MS in Teaching Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification Track to obtain additional knowledge about teaching and learning. The benefits of a master’s degree in education include a higher salary as a teacher, and the ability to enroll in a principal certification program in the future.

I want to be a Teacher in Pennsylvania, but don’t have a Bachelor’s degree

In order to teach in a classroom in Pennsylvania, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree. Drexel offers their Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education program both on-campus and online, giving you flexibility to choose the program that best fits your needs. Within the BS in Education program, you can choose which teaching certification area you would like to pursue. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be recommended to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for an initial teaching credential and be on your way to transition to a teaching career.

I want to be a Teacher in Pennsylvania and have a Bachelor’s degree (but not in Education)

Students with a bachelor’s degree have 2 options to earn teacher certification. You can choose to enroll in the Master of Science in Teaching Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification Track, or enroll in one of Drexel’s post-baccalaureate, state-approved teacher certification only programs. The biggest difference between the Master’s program and the certification program is the number of credits. Students enrolled in a teacher certification program take only the state-required courses for a specific teaching credential and usually complete the program faster than students in the Master’s program. The core of the Master’s program are the courses required by the State for certification. The additional courses required to round out the degree provide a more robust education preparation experience, possible additional teaching credentials and, in most cases, a higher salary upon completion. Most school districts pay higher salaries to teachers with a master’s degree in education than teachers with a bachelor’s degree.

Types of Teaching Certifications

Drexel University offers a wide range of teacher certification options for those looking to get into teaching, including:

• Early Childhood/Elementary Education (grades PreK-4)
• Elementary Education/Middle Grades (grades 4-8)
  • Math & Science
  • Math & English
  • Science & English
• Secondary Education (grades 7-12)
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth and Space Science
  • English
  • General Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Social Studies

Drexel also offers additional certifications and endorsements for previously certified teachers to ‘add-on’ to their initial teaching certificate including:

• Advanced Teaching and Curriculum Certificate
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement
• Instructional Technology Specialist Certification
• Mathematics Learning and Teaching Certificate
• Reading Specialist Certification
• School Principal Certification
• School Superintendent (offered within the EdD program)
• Social, Emotional and Behavior Wellness Endorsement
• Special Education Certification
• Special Education Leadership Certification
• STEM Education Endorsement
• Teaching English as a Second Language Certification

Obtaining another state’s equivalent teaching credential is fairly straightforward if you are interested in teaching outside of Pennsylvania and earn your initial teaching license through Drexel University. Requirements vary slightly from state to state, but most require a Program Verification form or letter from the PA teacher certification program you completed and appropriate scores on any state-required content area exam. You should check with your state’s department of education to determine what is required to obtain the non-PA’s equivalent credential once recommended for PA teacher certification by Drexel. Drexel University Online has created a Teaching Certificate Interstate Reciprocity and Transfer Guide with links to transfer policies from every state.

Teacher Certification Programs at Drexel University

Drexel University School of Education offers a wide variety of bachelor’s and graduate online teaching certification programs to prepare students for successful careers in the classroom.

Current Teacher Certification Programs

BS in Education (online or on-campus)

The BS in Education is ideal for those who do not have a bachelor’s degree but would like to earn teacher certification. The program is offered as an on-campus program at Drexel University or entirely online. Students complete coursework required for teacher certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, as well as a variety of field experiences, co-ops, and student teaching. The online program prepares students for the PA Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 (PreK-4) teaching credential at the conclusion of the BS degree program or PreK-4 with special education certification. The on-campus program prepares students for all teacher certification tracks including pre-school, elementary, middle, and secondary grades, as well as special education. The on-campus program typically takes 4-5 years to complete while the part-time online, degree completion program generally takes anywhere from 2.5 to 5 years to complete depending on how many credits the candidate has taken elsewhere transfers into Drexel’s program.

Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification (elementary, middle, or secondary grades)

Drexel’s post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs are ideal for students who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to earn PA teaching certification in early childhood/elementary (prek-4), elementary/middle grades (4-8), or secondary (7-12) grades. Students take courses part-time online and are required to complete student teaching experiences. The elementary certification program (42 credits) typically takes up to 2.5 years to complete, while the secondary certification program (30 credits) takes 2 years to complete.

MS in Teaching Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification track (elementary or secondary grades)

Students looking to earn teaching certification online and a master’s degree should choose Drexel’s MS in Teaching Learning and Curriculum- Teacher Certification track program. Students complete the same courses offered in the post-baccalaureate teacher certification program, as well as additional master’s level courses. Students typically choose this track to better develop their teaching skills, as well as potentially earn a higher salary as a teacher with a master’s degree in education. Students can choose to take courses required for elementary (prek-4) or secondary (7-12) teacher certification. The program ranges from 45-47.5 credits and typically takes 2.5 – 3 years to complete.

Graduate Intern Teaching program

Drexel University’s Graduate Intern Teaching program is ideal for those who currently work in a classroom in Pennsylvania, but are not yet certified. To be considered for the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in an area related to the subject they want to teach, i.e. a bachelor’s degree in biology for someone who is seeking to become a biology teacher, as well as pass the appropriate Praxis content area exam required for PA teacher certification. Students in the program take graduate courses required to PA teaching certification and can be completed in 9-16 months.

Philadelphia Teacher Residency program (Grades 4-8 and secondary grades 7-12) math and science subjects)

The Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program is a full-time, 12-month accelerated teaching program that prepares students to teach STEM subjects Philadelphia schools. Students work side-by-side with a mentor teacher in their chosen certification area for a full year while completing courses required for PA teacher certification. Students can choose to earn teacher certification or take additional classes to earn a master’s degree after they are certified in the areas of teaching, learning and curriculum.

In some cases, grant funded opportunities become available to help provide highly qualified candidates with financial support to the candidate while they complete their full-time, teacher residency under the guidance of a Mentor Teacher.

Learn more about a mid-career switch to teaching by requesting more information about their programs.

Students who complete a Drexel University teacher certification program are offered 2-years of free post-program support from faculty in the School of Education who can assist in areas such as lesson planning, classroom management, best practices for reaching unique students, and more.

If you have questions about any of Drexel’s teacher certification programs, or if you would like to start an application, please visit their Admissions page.

Learn more about a mid-career switch to teaching by requesting more information about their programs.

Teaching Salaries in PA: What to Expect

Teaching salaries in Pennsylvania vary widely between school districts. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average teaching salary in Pennsylvania was $61,730 for an elementary school teacher and $64,380 for a secondary school teacher. Several factors impact how much a teacher is paid including years of service in their district, level of education, additional certifications and endorsements. Teachers can earn higher salaries by earning a higher education degree like a master’s degree, and/or earning additional certifications in a field that will make themselves more desirable to a school i.e. special education, ESL, practicing specialist, etc.

Why I Teach

Here are a few testimonials from Drexel University School of Education alumni on why they choose to become a teacher:

To be a teacher means to be a positive influence on every on every student, every single individual. You have to know their strengths, and weaknesses and their personality styles. To be a teacher is to be a motivator, to be a lover of knowledge and to implement that on other students.

-Angelique Giannascoli
BS in Elementary Education ‘16

The unique community of young educators, mentor teachers, site directors, facilitators, and professors created by the Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program has been invaluable to my first year teaching and I believe it is the most important asset to the program

-Ethan Rioux
Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program Graduate