School Overview - Graduate

History

Founded in 1929, the School of Education at Duquesne University has a long-standing tradition of preparing educational leaders. Prior to its establishment, teacher preparation courses were offered through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The School awarded its first degree in secondary education in its inaugural year and has since expanded to offer a wide range of programs.

Graduates of the School of Education serve in diverse roles, including teachers, school psychologists, administrators, counselors, professors, and other educational professionals. They work in schools and communities across Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, providing high-quality instruction and support to children and youth.

Grounded in the Spiritan Tradition, the School is committed to academic excellence, educational equity, and the holistic development of learners. Its mission reflects a dedication to moral and spiritual values, student success, and the transformative power of education.

Accreditation is based on rigorous external review and adherence to national standards of quality. The School of Education proudly maintains national accreditations through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), American Psychological Association (APA), Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) and International Dyslexia Association (IDA). All educator preparation programs are also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Duquesne School of Education Mission

The mission of the School of Education, as a renowned learning community for the mind, heart, and spirit, is to guide the development of moral and ethical educational leaders, to advance innovation in teaching and scholarship, and to foster social responsibility. Within the context of the Spiritan identity and University vision, we will accomplish our mission by exemplifying the scholarly and ethical standards of our profession as we provide meaningful learning experiences, support scholarship, and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships.

Duquesne Vision Statement

To be a national leader in research and practice that is steeped in the Spiritan Tradition, dedicated to social justice and equity, and that transcends the boundaries between schools, the community, and higher education.

Duquesne School of Education Values

The School of Education is committed to, and is aligned with, Duquesne University's Strategic Initiatives:

  • Excellence in Teaching and Research [DUSI #1]
  • Service to the Individual, Community, Nation, and the World [DUSI #2]
  • Fostering collaboration among disciplines within and outside the school [DUSI #3]
  • Fostering a climate that promotes social justice and equity [DUSI #4]
  • Thinking creatively and entrepreneurially [DUSI #5]

Identity

Educational Leaders

We’re preparing the future leaders of the profession by:

Creating an educational environment that recognizes and supports the self-identified needs of the marginalized in our society, and also fosters the ability of our students to do the same.

Modeling and advocating ethical leadership, creating curriculum and educational experiences using evidence-based means in an environment that fosters social responsibility.

Modeling and advocating ethical and just behavior toward all human beings while establishing the foundation for a continual path of transformation of the self, the profession, and the community.

Scholarship for Schools

Our scholarship informs educational practice and policy by:

Generating, disseminating and utilizing scholarship for and with community agencies, and schools, with an emphasis on improving the lives of marginalized populations.

Spiritan Tradition

We serve God by serving students and the larger community through:

Positively influencing the beliefs and attitudes of our learners, our influence empowers others to act in ways that lead to positive outcomes for marginalized populations within our community and beyond.

Fostering a respect for the dignity and rights of all human beings through modeling, exposure to and engagement with our community that results in reciprocal change.

Intentional efforts to teach our students to value and live the Spiritan Pedagogy.

Duquesne University's Strategic Initiatives (DUSI)

  1. Duquesne will identify bold pathways to offer students the knowledge and skills they will need for productive and fulfilling lives and careers in the 21st century.
  2. Duquesne will become the region's flagship institution for community engagement through mutually beneficial partnerships that advance the city, the region and the world.
  3. Duquesne's academic programs will transcend traditional boundaries, positioning it as a leader in interdisciplinary and interprofessional programs.
  4. Duquesne will create a vibrant campus community that fosters the achievements of its talented faculty, students and staff.
  5. Duquesne will encourage an entrepreneurial spirit that will allow it to creatively steward University assets, adapt to changing environments and enhance its financial vitality to fulfill its mission for a new era.

Academic Policies

For policies and procedures specific to School of Education programs and Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines, current students should refer to the handbook, the Student Due Process Manual.

Admission

Admission requirements vary by each graduate program. Please visit the School of Education’s individual graduate program pages in the course catalog for admission requirements specific to each graduate program.

Admission candidates must have completed a baccalaureate program of study that are (or were at the time coursework was completed) fully accredited by one of the nation's regional accrediting associations. Credit may also be awarded for completed coursework at tertiary-level international institutions formally recognized by that country's accrediting body, ministry of education, or its equivalent. Accepted credits are determined by the academic program.

Graduate-Level Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Teacher Certification
MAT Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)
MAT Secondary Education (7-12)

Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Child Psychology
Education Administration K-12
Reading & Literacy Education
School Counseling
School Counseling for Certified Teachers*
School Supervision
Special Education PreK-12, Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities

Master of Science (M.S.)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Educational Leadership
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

Doctoral Degrees

Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Ed.D. Instructional Technology*
Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision 
Ph.D. School Psychology
Ph.D. Special Education*
Psy.D. School Psychology

Other Licensure/Certification Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Course Work (ABA Course Sequence for the BCBA® Exam)
Education Administration Certificate, K-12
Reading Specialist 
School Supervision Certificate

*Please note: These programs are closed for admission.

Administration and Faculty

Gretchen Givens Generett, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Education

Amy M. Olson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Teacher Education

Ara Schmitt, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Advancement

Dr. Rachel Ayieko
Director for Teacher Certification Programs

Karen Levitt, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean & Director of Placements, Partnerships and Professional Practice

Elizabeth McCallum, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Counselor Education & School Psychology

Gibbs Kanyongo, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership

Jason Ritter, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Instruction & Leadership in Education

Michelle Blohm, Ph.D.
Director of Assessment & Accreditation

Michelle Gapsky
Director of Enrollment & Engagement

Elizabeth Graves
Director of Business & Administration

Rob Weaver
Director of Database Management

Diane Zupi
Web Communications Manager

Tara Abbott
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
Program Director, Educational Leadership
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University 
M.A., Rider University
Ph.D., Seton Hall University

Rachel A. Ayieko
Associate Professor of Education
Director for Teacher Certification Programs
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Melissa Boston
Professor of Education
B.S., Grove City College
M.A., University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

Xia Chao
Associate Professor of Education
Ph.D., The University of Alabama

Laura Crothers
Professor of Education
Program Director, School Psychology
B.A., Grove City College
M.Ed., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
D.Ed., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Kimberly Davidson
Clinical Assistant Professor
B.A., Slippery Rock University
M.S., Slippery Rock University 
Ph.D., Peabody College of Vanderbilt University

David L. Delmonico
Professor of Education
B.A., Kent State University
M.Ed., Kent State University
Ph.D., Kent State University

Gretchen Givens Generett
Dean, School of Education
Professor of Education
B.A., Spelman College
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sr. Mary Frances Grasinger, C.S.J.
Professor Emerita of Education
B.Ed., Duquesne University
M.T.S., Catholic University of America
Ph.D., Syracuse University

Bridget Green
Associate Professor of Education
Executive Director of the Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy
B.A., St. Mary's College
M.A., Duquesne University
Ed.D., George Washington University

Valerie Gresser
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., Arizona State University
M.A., Northern Arizona University
Ph.D., University of Florida

Jenna Hennessey
Clinical Associate Professor of Education
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University
M.S., Duquesne University
Ph.D., Duquesne University

Ann X. Huang
Associate Professor of Education
B.A., Beijing Forestry University
Ph.D., Tennessee Technological University

Tammy Hughes
Professor of Education
B.A., Arizona State University
M.A., St. Mary’s University
Ph.D., Arizona State University

Kelsey Jones-Greer
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., West Virginia Wesleyan College
M.Ed., The Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Matthew Joseph
Associate Professor of Education
B.A., University of Notre Dame
M.A., Northeastern University
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D., Stanford University

ZiYoung Kang
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., Seoul National University
B.S., Seoul National University
M.A., Seoul National University
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Gibbs Kanyongo
Professor of Education
Chair, Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership
B.S., University of Zimbabwe
M.A., Ohio University
Ph.D., Ohio University

Jered Kolbert
Professor of Education
Program Director, Counselor Education 
B.A., Rutgers College, Rutgers University
M.A., Kean College of New Jersey
Ph.D., College of William and Mary

Karen E. Levitt
Associate Professor of Education
Assistant Dean & Director of Placements, Partnerships, and Professional Practice
B.S., Miami University (Ohio)
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh

Reva Mathieu
Assistant Professor of Education
Program Director, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Program Co-Director, Special Education
B.A., University of Maine
B.A., University of Maine
M.Ed., University of Maine
Ed.D., University of New England

Elizabeth McCallum
Professor of Education
Chair, Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology
B.A., Cornell University
Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Rick R. McCown
Professor Emeritus of Education
A.B., Indiana University
Ph.D., Indiana University

Kara McGoey
Professor of Education
B.A., Wittenberg University
M.Ed., Lehigh University
Ph.D., Lehigh University

Christopher Meidl
Associate Professor of Education
B.A., Saint John's University
M.Ed., University of New Orleans
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Carla K. Meyer
Professor of Education
Program Director, Reading & Literacy Education
Director, Reading Clinic
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University
M.S., McDaniel College
Ph.D., University of Delaware

Jeff A. Miller
Professor of Education
B.S., Arizona State University
M.A., Arizona State University
Ph.D., Arizona State University

Cliff Oliech
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
B.S.Ed., Maseno University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Ph.D., Duquesne University  

Amy M. Olson
Associate Professor of Education
Associate Dean for Teacher Education
B.S., University of Arizona
M.A., University of Arizona
Ph.D., University of Arizona

Jason Ritter
Professor of Education
Chair, Department of Instruction & Leadership in Education
B.S.Ed., University of Georgia
M.Ed., Georgia College and State University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Jaleah Robinson
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D., Duquesne University

Nichole Scarlett
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., Robert Morris University
M.S., Robert Morris University
Ed.D., Duquesne University

Ara J. Schmitt
Professor of Education
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D., Illinois State University

Fran Serenka
Clinical Associate Professor of Education
Program Director, School Administration and Supervision
B.A., Duquesne University
M.Ed., Duquesne University
Ed.D., Duquesne University

Michael Sickels
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
Clinical Facilitator
B.A., Waynesburg University
M.S.Ed., Duquesne University
Ph.D., Duquesne University

Amy Srsic
Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
Program Co-Director, Special Education
B.S., Duquesne University
M.A., New Jersey City University
Ed.D., George Washington University

VonZell Wade
Clinical Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Duquesne University
M.S., Duquesne University
B.S., Seton Hill University

Julia Ann Williams
Clinical Associate Professor of Education
B.A., Mercyhurst College
M.S., Gannon University
Ed.D., Duquesne University

Kraig Wray
Clinical Assistant Professor
B.S., Purdue University
M.S., John Hopkins University
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Facilities, Research Centers

  • Reading Clinic
  • UCEA Center for Educational Leadership and Social Justice

Professional Accreditation

  • APA - American Psychological Association
  • CACREP - Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • CAEP - Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • IDA - International Dyslexia Association

Student Organizations

The School of Education provides opportunities for participation in student organizations related to professional education preparation. Faculty and staff are often involved with the organizations in the role of advisor.

  • Chi Sigma Iota (Delta Upsilon Chapter)
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  • Duquesne University Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)
  • Pi Lambda Theta (PLT)
  • Student Affiliates in School Psychology (SASP)
  • Trying Together

Contact Us

School of Education Dean's Office