Skip to Main Content

Frequently Asked Questions

  • M.Ed. in Reading FAQ's

    Act 48 reporting

    If you want to receive Act 48 credit, at the beginning of each course email Jocelyn Gibbs (gibbs015@gannon.edu) the following information: your name, your current mailing address, your PPID, the course number, name, and section, and the beginning and ending dates of the course. Use Act 48 as the subject line in the email. Without this information, your course will not be reported to PDE.

    Registering for courses

    Once you are admitted into the M. Ed. online program, the Office of Graduate Admissions will help with your first semester registration.  In future semesters, you will be automatically scheduled for courses by the School of Education.  You may check your schedule on GUXpress. If you have any questions or concerns about your schedule, please contact the School of Education at 814-871-7242.  Semester bills are sent electronically to your Gannon email. After the first semester, you will be able to register for any elective courses you may want to take via GUXpress.

    Transferring Credits

    Credits may be transferred only to satisfy the elective component of the M. Ed.   The credits considered for transfer must be on an official graduate transcript from an accredited institution, must have been graded as "A" or "B" (Pass/Fail courses are not considered eligible for transfer), and must not be older than 5 years at the time of the request.  If the credits you are considering meet these qualifications, send an email to Jocelyn Gibbs (gibbs015@gannon.edu) with the course number and title, a brief course description of the course and its method of delivery (face-to-face, hybrid, online). Correspondence courses or self-directed courses are not acceptable. If the course is approved for transfer, you will receive a copy of the transfer form for your records when the transfer process is completed.

    Textbooks

    Textbooks can be ordered online by accessing http://www.bkstr.com/gannonstore/  or by calling 814-871-7421. Have the following information available when ordering textbooks: department code which is GEDU, course Name, Course Number, and Course Section. This information can be secured at the course specific Blackboard site.

    Graduation

    The graduate application form can be found at:

    https://my.gannon.edu/academics/Registrar/Pages/default.aspx      

    • Print and complete the form, then submit it to the appropriate Program Coordinator for approval by dates listed on the form. Please remember to print clearly. 
    • There is a graduation fee of $150.00. This is assessed whether the ceremony is attended or not. The fee is added to your account.
    • Indicate on the form how you would like your name to appear on your diploma. This must conform to the official name of record at the time you graduate. 
    • Graduation Ceremony- Caps and gowns will only be ordered for those students attending the commencement ceremony and will be mailed to students who live outside the Erie area.
    • Diplomas- Your diploma and complimentary student transcript will be sent to you at your preferred mailing address via First Class Mail. It is your responsibility to advise the Registrar's Office of any address changes to avoid delays in receiving your diploma.

    Reading Clinic

    Graduate learners will complete GEDU 647 Assessment of Literacy Development/Clinical Application over the summer. The course will satisfy 75 clinical hours by working in an approved off site location set up within a 50 mile radius of their district or community (6 credits).  During this course, candidates will practice using diagnostic tools with children experiencing reading difficulties, write reports of findings, and implement corrective plans. 

    Reading Clinic Portfolio

    During GEDU 647 Assessment of Literacy Development/Clinical Application, graduate learners will develop a Reading Clinic Portfolio. The objective of the portfolio is to give each graduate learner   the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge gained throughout the Reading Clinic and during the program.  By creating the portfolio, candidates will have a well-developed product ready to use as they work in the field of education. The portfolio will be submitted electronically, and a thorough explanation of the portfolio will be discussed in GEDU 647.

    Graduate Writing

    As Master's level learners, the use of academic or scholarly writing is expected within all aspects of written coursework, including discussion forums.  Academic or scholarly writing is clear, concise, and direct.  Word choice is intentional and precise. Thoughts are logically organized with accurate use of grammar and conventions (spelling, capitalization, and punctuation).  Transitional words and phrases help to establish continuity and support overall flow of writing.  Biased language, repetition of words and ideas, jargon, and colloquial expressions should be avoided.  Scholarly writers often follow the "less is more" approach.  "The role of the scholarly writer is to clearly and effectively communicate essential ideas in an interesting and engaging manner." (American Psychological Association, 2020).

    The American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines are, "… a conventional way of presenting information that is designed to ease communication" (American Psychological Association, 2020). It is the responsibility of authors within the social sciences to use APA guidelines in order to maintain ethical and legal principles, protecting the intellectual property of others.

    Effective scholarly writers:

    • Organize ideas ahead of time
    • Set aside drafts for a short period of time, returning to review/revise
    • Intentionally read documents aloud to assess fluency, style, and formatting
    • Invite colleagues to read/review writing

    Accurate APA formatting is expected within all Gannon Master's level coursework.  While this may be a new formatting style for some, the following resources should be consulted to ensure correct usage of APA:

    Important contacts

    • For billing questions: Student Accounts Office 814-871-7425
    • For financial aid questions: Financial Aid Office 814-871-7337
    • Please have your student ID# when you call.

    Questions

    Please contact Jocelyn Gibbs at gibbs015@gannon.edu (814-871-7486) or Dr. Lisa Brown at brown552@gannon.edu (814-871-5534) if you have any questions or concerns not addressed here or in the M.Ed. in Reading Graduate Handbook.

    References

    American Psychological Association. (2020).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.)

    General format. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/