Integrative STEM Education Endorsement

12-credit endorsement

Offered fully online

Build Your STEM Skillset for the 21st Century Classroom

Point Park University's fully online Integrative STEM Education Endorsement program provides teachers with the relevant skills and training needed to prepare students to thrive in an increasingly technological world and to solve the challenges in areas such as energy, environmental conservation, health care and beyond.

Through the School of Education's National Science Foundation grant project – Transforming Integrative Makerspace Education (T.I.M.E.) for STEM – our faculty have developed four courses grounded in theories of cognitive, emotional and social development, research and best practices in STEM education. Students will participate in hands-on activities and field experiences that build their knowledge, skills, and competencies in inquiry-based learning environments.

This program is designed to help teachers enhance their instructional skills while playing the critical role of change agents within the teaching profession. It is ideal for educators looking to level up their skills for maker space environments and effectively integrate science, technology, engineering and math.

Candidates for the Integrative STEM Education Endorsement must have earned a Level I or Level II instructional, supervisory, educational specialist or administrative certificate.

In addition to being offered as a standalone endorsement, it is available as a concentration in our fully online Master of Education in Teaching and Leadership program.

Students can apply for the PDE Endorsement after completing the coursework by submitting an application in PDE's Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

Courses & Topics

To complete this endorsement, students will take four courses totaling 12 credits:

Foundations of STEM Education and Integrated Curriculum Design
Inquiry-Based STEM Pedagogy and Makerspace Education
Teaching STEM in Elementary and Makerspace Environments
Assessment and Technology Integration in STEM Education

In each course, field experiences allow students to practice and apply the Pennsylvania standards of learning and STEM competencies in lessons with Pre-K-4th grade students in the classroom.

Hands-On Coursework Taught by Industry-Experienced Faculty

Point Park's School of Education has a strong track record for delivering forward-thinking STEM and maker space curriculum.

Our faculty bring a range of knowledge and experience teaching in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math. They embed experiential learning opportunities into their coursework and align their teachings with competencies in:

Next Generation Science Standards
Pennsylvania Core State Standards for Mathematics (emphasis on Mathematical Practices)
International Society of Technology Educators’ National Educational Technology Standards
International Technology & Engineering Educators Association’s standards for Technological Literacy

Our faculty are trained in human-centered design, agency by design, the engineering design process and the novel engineering design process. They apply STEM concepts in an interdisciplinary, systematic way that ensures aspiring teachers gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of STEM preparation skills to succeed in today's classrooms.

Meet Our Faculty

Virginia Chambers, Ed.D., interim dean of the School of Education and associate professor of education

"I am passionate about teaching and learning. I look forward to teaching each and every course and getting to know my students."

Faculty Bio

Kristen Misutka, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and coordinator of the M.Ed. in Reading and Literacy, M.Ed. in Teaching and Leadership and Reading Specialist certificate programs

Prior to joining the School of Education as full-time faculty, Dr. Misutka was an adjunct faculty member at Point Park and a teacher at Gateway School District.

Faculty Bio

Kelly Pascarella, Ed.D., assistant professor of education

Dr. Pascarella is the founder of Education Blueprint, a nonprofit professional learning community for PreK-12 educators to find, share, communicate and rate resources that make for the best learning experiences.

Faculty Bio

Kamryn York, Ed.D., interim chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, assistant professor of education and coordinator of the M.Ed. in Athletic Coaching & Administration and M.Ed. with certification in PreK-4 programs

Dr. York has experience teaching Pre-K through sixth grade, leading as a teacher mentor and working as a behavioral specialist serving children with autism and their families.

Faculty Bio