GMercyU and Bucks IU Teacher Certification Programprogram_ms_specialed.jpg

To address the shortage of master's-degree prepared, certified teachers in Bucks County, GMercyU and the Bucks County Intermediate Unit have launched a new partnership.


Bucks IU employees with a bachelor's degree who are currently working as paraprofessionals — and/or are currently serving as a Teacher of Record on an Emergency Certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) — may be selected by Bucks IU to earn a Master of Education or Master of Special Education at GMercyU, with the related PDE teaching certification at no cost!

The Bucks IU will cover all course tuition and fees for each Bucks IUemployee who is selected for this teacher certification program.*

Next Steps

Step 1: Please apply to the program you were chosen for by Bucks IU — either GMercyU's MS Education, Master Teacher with PreK-4 Certification OR the MS Special Education, PreK-12 Special Education Certification. 

The only admissions materials you need to submit are your official college transcripts. You do not need to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, etc.

Please be sure to check YES in this box: "Are you an employee of Bucks County Intermediate Unit?"

Apply here 

Step 2: Once GMercyU has reviewed your application and official transcripts, you will receive an email notification that your application has been updated.

Please log back into your application to view your official admissions decision.

Step 3 (if applicable): If you have earned any graduate credits, those credits can be evaluated by Dr. Jaimie Bowen, Program Director for the Master Teacher and Special Education Programs, for possible transfer. GMercyU will accept up to 6 graduate program transfer credits from another accredited institution.

Have Questions?

Admissions Contact
Wivina Chmura, Associate Director of Admissions
215-641-5541
chmura.w@gmercyu.edu 

Academic Contact
Deborah E. Schadler, PhD, PRSE, Assistant Dean of Education
schadler.d@gmercyu.edu 
 

*Weren't selected for this Teacher Certification Program? As a Bucks IU employee, you are still eligible for a 10% tuition discount on most GMercyU programs.

See all GMercyU partnerships here.