Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Categories
Featured News News

Millersville Expands to “The City of Brotherly Love”

Millersville University is planning to extend its educational opportunities into “The City of Brotherly Love.”

Interested in receiving a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) education in Philadelphia or Harrisburg? Millersville University is planning to secure a location within “The City of Brotherly Love,” which will serve a new student market. The University continually assesses the Harrisburg market and plans to continue course offerings at the Dixon Center.

“Expanding into a new market will require that we research and analyze the needs of the surrounding population. That data will assist us in determining future additional offerings,” explained Dr. Victor DeSantis, dean of graduate and professional studies.

Initially, the University will offer English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher certification program and a master of education in language and literacy. “Millersville has a strong history of offering these programs at off-site locations in York and Berks counties. Additionally, the ESL program is in high demand and has assisted more than 45 educators pursue their add-on certification over the past two years,” said DeSantis.

Individuals taking these graduate courses on campus can self-pace their program, whereas students taking these courses off campus may only be offered three to six credit hours per semester. This would indicate that both groups could complete their program of study relatively in the same amount of time.

These programs will be primarily taught face-to-face, but it is anticipated in the future that Millersville will utilize its Instructional Television (ITV) technology and other distance learning deliveries. “Students taking courses via ITV receive the same quality instruction by Millersville University faculty as students who take face-to-face courses on campus,” said DeSantis.

Millersville and Shippensburg jointly offer a master of social work that successfully uses ITV technology and this program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

“Off-site programs are not designed to take resources away from students on Millersville’s main campus. Department chairs are working closely with their deans and faculty to ensure that all students’ needs are met,” explained DeSantis. A mix of regular Millersville faculty, as well as adjunct faculty is used to support off-campus programs.

“The PASSHE collaboration is looking to establish a lasting presence in the Philadelphia area and we hope to be a viable partner for the long term,” said DeSantis.

For more information on the expansion, contact DeSantis at Victor.DeSantis@millersville.edu or 717- 872-3099.

2 replies on “Millersville Expands to “The City of Brotherly Love””

So you are coming to Philadelphia? As a person proudly born and raised in Philadelphia, and a graduate of Millersville I would be happy to help you settle here. If you have not yet found a site,fortunately for Millersville, unfortunately for Philadelphia,there are many places currently open that can house your program.I would be happy to help anyway I can with your move here. Welcome to the neighborhood. Maureen Walls

I think that it is wonderful that Millersville University will expand into Philadelphia. I am not only a parent of a current Millersville student, but also a Philadelphia teacher. Although I understand that your expansion will be in areas where you have had the most success, accelerated courses (hybrid and on-line) would be welcomed. As a teacher of students on the Autism Spectrum, I would appreciate courses dealing with certifications in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Functional Behavioral Analysis,etc. Courses offered at a discount rate to teachers in the PSD and/or held at one of our many schools or district locations should prove to be a win-win situation to all who are involved. Welcome to Philadlephia, and I hope to see you soon.Ms. McGill

Leave a Reply