School of Education

Preparing the Educators of Tomorrow. Serving the Classrooms of Today.

About the School

The PennWest School of Education sets the standard for teacher preparation and professional development across Western Pennsylvania. Through innovative coursework, diverse field experiences, and collaborative partnerships, including those with PennWest’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, the School is shaping the next generation of educators and leaders.

Comprehensive and Accredited Programs

PennWest offers one of the most extensive arrays of education programs in the Commonwealth, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, certifications, and endorsements.

Degree Programs Include:

Undergraduate

Graduate

Certificates and Endorsements

Nationally Accredited

CAEP – Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
NASAD – Art Education
NASP – School Psychology
CACREP – Counseling with a Concentration in School Counseling

PennWest is also an Approved Provider of Act 48 professional education, offering training on campus, on-site, and online.

Partnerships, Field Experience & Community Impact

Experience Starts Early

Education students engage in field experiences beginning in their first semester.

Expansive District Network

PennWest partners with school districts across Western Pennsylvania to support robust, real-world learning— including residency-style student teaching programs.

Signature Initiatives & Learning Sites

Boro Little Learners Academy (Edinboro): Observation & preschool engagement
Western PA School for the Deaf Children’s Center (Edinboro): Experience in deaf education
Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education (California): Four-year immersive scholarship program
Rutledge Early Childhood Education Center (California Borough): Free, high-quality childcare and experiential learning
School Psychology Clinic (California): Affordable community assessments, real-world graduate training

Dual Enrollment Pathways

Boro Teach Program (Erie School District): 12 tuition-free college credits for high schoolers
Education Academies: Expanding to districts across the region
PDK–Educators Rising Partnership: Up to 9 college credits for participating high school students

Educator Savings

PSEA members can earn PennWest tuition savings by completing NEA micro-credentials.

Innovation in Teacher Training

PennWest’s School of Education collaborates with the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies to:

* Embed AI literacy and pedagogy into teacher preparation
* Offer Act 48-compliant professional development on emerging technologies
* Support districts and intermediate units in preparing future-ready educators

Contact Us

PennWest School of Education

Timothy F. Stevenson, D.Ed.
Associate Dean, College of Education, Arts, and Humanities
Executive Director, School of Education
tstevenson@pennwest.edu
814-393-2508

A Legacy of Leadership

PennWest, with historical roots in California, Clarion, and Edinboro, has educated generations of teachers and school leaders. PennWest alumni serve in nearly every school across Pennsylvania—from rural classrooms to urban districts.