Education MS — Elementary/Middle School 4-8

You can choose to take your courses on campus or partially online. Our evening classes are small and designed for working professionals. Work at your own pace by choosing one, two or three courses per term. The required field experiences and student teaching will be completed in-person in the classroom.

Saint Joseph's offers a 20% tuition discount to teachers in the Philadelphia School District, the Philadelphia Archdiocese network, and select surrounding school districts. Contact us to find out more about this discount and whether you qualify.

The 36-credit Master of Science in education, elementary/middle school (4-8) is available to students with a combination of content-area specializations including:

• Social studies
• Science
• Mathematics
• English/literacy

Students who complete the program can be certified to teach all subjects in grades 4-6. They must choose one or two disciplines and take additional introductory and advanced courses in order to be certified to teach the selected subject(s) in grades 7-8.

Saint Joseph's education faculty are experts in their fields, bringing theory, practice and relevance to the classroom. Our small, dynamic classes allow for discussion, reflection and collaboration.

Graduates are prepared to be reflective, principled educators who are deeply committed to furthering student achievement as well as teacher performance. This tradition reinforces ethical and moral leadership and teaching methods centered on values and principles, and advocates for social justice in education for underrepresented communities and students.

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition options start at $845 per credit.*

*This rate applies to all students accepted by Saint Joseph's University after June 1, 2023.

Tuition and fee rates for students accepted prior to June 1, 2023 differ. Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page or contact us for more information.

Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our financial aid page.

Discount Eligibility

Saint Joseph's alumni are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.

Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.

Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs. 

Note: discounts cannot be combined.

Saint Joseph’s University is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, that assesses institutions for the highest available form of accreditation.

Graduate assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Full-time Biology MS students are eligible for graduate teaching assistantships that provide a stipend and scholarship for tuition. Qualified students may find employment as assistants in introductory laboratories. Please contact the program director for availability.

SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans’ Services can help you access and understand your benefits.

To be considered for admission you must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have earned an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Apply online.
• Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Submit a personal statement.
• Submit resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.

Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.

Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Start Terms:

• Fall: August
• Spring: January
• Summer: May

If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the graduate admission page for additional requirements.