Posted January 11, 2012

Neumann University will offer free career counseling and three master’s degree programs at 50 percent of its usual tuition to all Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic school teachers who lose their positions in 2012 through the reorganization of archdiocesan schools. Neumann’s graduate programs that are available at 50 percent of standard tuition are education, organizational and strategic leadership, and pastoral care and counseling.

To qualify for the tuition discount, teachers must meet the criteria required by the regular university admissions process, provide documentation that their position was eliminated, and enroll by the start of the May 2013 summer session.

In addition, the master’s degree in education program will accept as many as 15 transfer credits with the approval of the dean of the Division of Education and Human Services. In the program, teachers can earn the M.S. degree in instructional leadership, principal certification (grades K-12), and teacher certification in early elementary education (grades PK-4) and special education (grades PK-8).

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The free career counseling service, which includes portfolio assessment, will be available no later than July 1, 2012. Teachers may e-mail the Office of Graduate and Adult Admissions at any time to be placed on a list of those interested in free career counseling. As soon as the service is available, university staff members will contact teachers to schedule counseling appointments.

“We offer this support to Catholic school teachers who now enter a new phase in their career journeys,” said Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, Neumann’s president. “Some may want to gain additional teaching credentials; others may prefer to acquire new skills and seek a different career path. We realize that the financial priorities of many affected families may not include a graduate degree at this time, but we will consider ourselves privileged if we help even a few achieve future success.”

For more information about this program, call the Office of Admissions at 610-361-5208.