Iona University Unveils New Master’s Degree Programs in Education to Expand Job Opportunities and Address Teacher Shortages
Iona University has added a series of new and revised master's degree programs in education aimed at helping to alleviate nationwide teacher shortages by providing greater job flexibility, particularly in high-need areas such as literacy, special education and bilingual education.
The programs include a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) with specializations in Literacy (All Grades); Special Education (All Grades); and Special Education and Literacy (All Grades). Iona has also launched a Bilingual Extension for Teachers and a Bilingual Extension in School Psychology.
The programs are designed to provide maximum flexibility for Iona graduates to work across all grade levels from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This "all grades" certification model aims to help districts facing teacher shortages by allowing educators to shift between different schools more easily in keeping with New York State requirements.
Applications are currently open for Fall 2024. For additional information, please contact Shantell Smith at ssmith@iona.edu or 914-633-2440 or visit iona.edu today!
“Iona has a long history of preparing top educators to teach in New York State and beyond,” said Joseph E. Stabile, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts & Science. “Our dedicated faculty, small class sizes and hands-on fieldwork help ensure our graduates are well-prepared for fulfilling careers ahead.”
Iona’s comprehensive master’s programs are designed for educators seeking New York State certification. Emphasizing inclusivity and a practitioner-focused approach, these programs prepare educators to meet the diverse needs of students in today's classrooms.
Offered on campus with the flexibility of some hybrid or online courses, the programs blend theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring educators are well-equipped to make a significant impact in the field. The MSEd programs are ideal for current, initially certified educators seeking to work with and support students requiring specialized education services.
"These new programs widen the scope of possibilities, as graduates will be able to get a job teaching at any grade level without needing additional certifications,” said Dr. Katherine Zaromatidis, director of Graduate Studies in the School of Arts & Science. "Iona is proud to continue to bring forth the next generation of New York’s teachers.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.