Gwynedd Mercy University Announces New Three-Year Education Degree

Program addresses national teacher shortage by providing fast track to credentials

GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) is launching a three-year Bachelor of Science degree program with certification in either Early Education or Special Education. The new program, beginning in the fall semester of 2025, will fast-track highly skilled, compassionate educators into a workforce facing significant shortages.

This innovative option will save future teachers an estimated $26,000 in tuition by shortening the traditional degree path to just three years. With federal aid available for summer courses and the average starting salary for teachers in Pennsylvania at $49,539, graduates can begin their teaching careers with less debt and more earning potential.

"The teacher shortage is a pressing challenge that demands bold solutions, and at GMercyU, we’re answering that call,” said Dr. Deb Schadler, Coordinator of Undergraduate Education at GMercyU. “Our new three-year program reimagines educator preparation by balancing efficiency with quality. Aspiring teachers now have access to a flexible, affordable path that meets their needs while preparing them to address the critical challenges facing today’s schools.”

The need for solutions to Pennsylvania's teacher shortage is clear. According to the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the state has seen a 96% increase in emergency teaching certifications in the past decade. Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has dropped by 50%, and newly certified teachers have decreased by 73% over the past 10 years.

In response, GMercyU has been a leading contributor to the educational workforce. Over the last five years, the university’s undergraduate and graduate students have earned more than 725 education-related degrees and teaching certifications, including teaching, special education, school counseling, and administrative/supervisory credentials.

GMercyU continues to build on its established reputation for excellence in educator preparation through enduring partnerships with local school districts and organizations. Recognizing the importance of teachers who are representative of their student body, GMercyU and the Wissahickon School District partnered with an anonymous donor to annually provide one deserving student a four-year, full tuition scholarship to attend GMercyU as a PreK-4 Education major and then return to Wissahickon School District as a K-4 teacher.

Further addressing the needs of the current educational landscape, GMercyU recently received a $20,000 Developing Future Special Educators grant to support interest among high school students in becoming a special education teacher.

About Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University prepares students to become top professionals in the fields of nursing and other health professions, education, business, and the arts and sciences. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1948, Gwynedd Mercy University offers more than 70 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and associate degree programs. The University’s campus is situated on 145 private acres on Sumneytown Pike between routes 309 and 202 in Gwynedd Valley, Montgomery County. The University also offers online/accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs for working professionals and career-changers. Learn more at gmercyu.edu, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.