Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) FAQ

Intermediate Unit 1 has a partnership with Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) to accept nine (9) CPE credits from the IU1 ESL Program Specialist Certification coursework beginning January 26, 2023.

PennWest and IU1 agree to the following to facilitate the transfer of students from the IU1’s ESL certification program into the PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration.

To be eligible for admission to the PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration, the IU1 student must apply for admission to PennWest. The applicant must present the following: official undergraduate degree transcripts indicating a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, a copy of their teaching certificate and a letter of attestment, which includes the successful completion of the IU1 ESL program.

To request a Letter of Attestment from Intermediate Unit 1 attesting successful completion of the following ESL coursework, contact Lisa Pople, Administrative Assistant at lisa.pople@iu1.org or 724-938-3241 ext. 215.

Once enrolled in the PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration, to receive transfer credits for the IU1 courses, the student must successfully complete four three-credit graduate-level course in the PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration with a grade of B or better, within two years of completing the IU1 program. These must be courses that are not included in the IU1 ESL program.

PennWest will designate 9 credit hours (three courses) of study to count towards the graduate requirements for the PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration.

Intermediate Unit 1 courses:

  • ESL 1: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
  • ESL 4: Language Acquisition and Development
  • ESL 6: English Language Learners, Family, Community and Professionalism

How to Apply to PennWest Master of Education in Advanced Study in Education: (TESL) Concentration:

How to Apply: · Complete the graduate application.  

Select:

  • Type of Program: Degree Seeking
  • Graduate Program: Advanced Study in Education M.Ed.
  • OnlineConcentration: Teaching English as a Second Language TESL

(Candidates seeking to transfer credits from ESL courses taken through Intermediate Unit 1 should select this option.)

Mail official transcript to:
PennWest University, Graduate Admissions, California Campus, 250 University Ave., Box 91, California, PA 15419

You can upload unofficial transcripts and either a copy of your teaching certification or resume with experience to your application, email them to GradAdmissions@pennwest.edu or submit them by mail using the address above.

Please contact Dr. Susan Morris-Rutledge, Associate Professor of Secondary Education and Administrative Leader and ESL program coordinator at morrisrutledge@pennwest.edu with any questions.