At a time where the country is facing a shortage of teachers and an increased need for healthcare providers, the School of Health Studies and Education is uniquely equipped to not only help students meet the needs of the job market, but to shape them into leaders in these fields.
We believe that education and health are at the heart of individual and community advancement. Careers in these sectors are more than jobs, they are driven by passion and purpose. Our programs challenge students to embrace the Jesuit concept of cura personalis — care for the whole person — in their professions, in the way that they serve students, patients, clients and communities.
Saint Joseph’s has a wide variety of majors and minors, graduate programs, degree completion and certificate programs. Here, you can choose a traditional academic path, or you can combine majors across school, explore stackable options or enroll in a dual-degree program.
In the School of Health Studies and Education, we encourage students to understand themselves as reflective practitioners in the context of a global community and to develop collaborative skills through inter-professional experiences. Using the resources available within Saint Joseph University’s unique urban and suburban environment, students engage in real world experiences through service learning, internships and clinical practice.
Angela McDonald, PhD, LPCS, NCC
Dean, School of Health Studies and Education
The faculty in the School of Health Studies and Education bring their experiences from the disciplines of education, autism studies, health and many more to our students.
In both education and health programs, field work is just as important to building skills as classroom instruction. From student teaching to clinical training and research, the School of Health Studies and Education provides opportunities for students to create a well-rounded educational experience.
A requirement for undergraduate and graduate education students seeking certification, field experiences allow teacher candidates to make explicit connections with course content and promote an understanding of students' cognitive development, motivation and learning styles.
The office of health professions advising works with students interested in pursuing graduate school in health. Part of this advising involves helping students find placement for necessary clinical hours at nearby hospitals and care facilities.
The summer scholars program provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in “full time” research, creative writing, and fine and performing arts projects endeavors under the guidance of faculty mentors during the summer months.
The Alliance for Catholic Education at Saint Joseph’s University (ACESJU), is an innovative two-year service program that provides recent college graduates the opportunity to serve as full-time teachers and administrators in under-resourced Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Diocese of Camden while pursuing a master’s degree.
Through special partnership agreements with local universities, students can complete a Saint Joseph's education while getting a head-start in their health careers.
Through the Kinney Center, you can work with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families to help them navigate their health and education needs. In the Kinney SCHOLARS program, aspiring education and health professionals provide one-on-one support to the individuals with autism who participate in Kinney's youth, transitional and adult programs.
My education classes at SJU introduced me to the idea of teaching for social justice through Jesuit ideals and values. I was always challenged and supported by my professors to think deeper about the issues in schools and how I can be an agent for change."
I learned the values of integrity, accountability, dedication and sacrifice through a plethora of challenging and engaging classes on Hawk Hill. My professors instilled in me a work ethic and a maturity that I don’t believe I could have attained at any other institution. I learned leadership and teamwork skills, two things that will benefit me immensely in my professional life.”
I wanted to get to the next level of my career, and the leadership aspect of the program really drew me in. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the ability to hone in on active listening skills. It's an important skill to have as an evaluator"