Education and Teaching at Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Online Nursing Education Master’s Degrees.
Students who want to enroll in education programs at Saint Xavier University may study general education, as well as enroll in concentrated degrees in areas like biology and math education. At the undergraduate level, students can earn education degrees in art, secondary education, biology secondary education, mathematics secondary education, and music education for K-12 students.
Subject-based education degrees are also available in Spanish secondary education for K-12 students, social science secondary education, and English secondary education. Students may also focus on general education with degrees available in early childhood, elementary school, and secondary school options. The university also offers an undergraduate minor in physical education, as well as a certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Some of the classes a student may take while enrolled in an undergraduate program in education at Saint Xavier University include Speech Fundamentals, Rhetoric and Writing, Adolescence Psychology, and Survey of Exceptional Students. Some undergraduate programs require more than the standard 120 credits generally associated with bachelor’s degrees. The program in biology secondary education requires that students complete at least 134 credit hours. Students are eligible to obtain licensure as teachers after earning one of the degrees in education at Saint Xavier University.
At the graduate level, the university also offers many degrees in different areas of education. Degrees available within the Master of Arts in Education designation include secondary education, music education, Spanish education, special education, TESOL, and a dual endorsement in ESL/bilingual education. Graduate education certificates available include a TESOL certificate and the Technology Integration Coach Certificate.
For students who would rather earn a Master of Arts in Teaching rather than a Master of Arts in Education, there are concentrations available in similar areas like early childhood education, elementary education, and Spanish education. Students may also consider earning a graduate education endorsement for English as a second language, technology specialist, bilingual education, or learning behavior specialist.
To successfully exit one of the graduate programs in education at Saint Xavier University, students must complete a minimum number of credit hours for certification, as well as additional credit hours for the degree. For example, the graduate program in secondary education and K-12 music or Spanish requires that students complete a minimum of 33 credit hours for certification and nine to 12 credit hours for their degree.
An online MS in Nursing is also offered. Students may choose from one of three tracks: Executive Leadership, Clinical Leadership, and Nurse Educator. The latter two are also offered as stand-alone certificates for those who already have earned their MSN.
About Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University was established in 1846 and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the school is run by a group known as the Sisters of Mercy. Around 3,800 students currently attend the university, which began as a school for women. The original campus stood until 1871 when it burned down in the Great Chicago Fire. Rebuilding would occur in southern Chicago on a 6-acre campus.
The school’s official colors are scarlet and gray, and the sports teams are nicknamed the Cougars. Overall, the university offers 43 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate programs. Degrees are offered within three schools that include The School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Graham School of Management. The school’s health school is a Center of Excellence as recognized by the National League of Nursing.
Saint Xavier University Accreditation Details
Institutional accreditation for the university comes from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Prospective students can contact the Higher Learning Commission in Chicago for more information on Saint Xavier’s accreditation status. Some programs and degrees at the university are additionally accredited by various organizations.
For example, the Education Department is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The degrees offered within the Graham School of Management are all accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The university’s programs in music have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing.
Saint Xavier University Application Requirements
To gain acceptance to Saint Xavier University, students must have an appropriate educational background that includes four units of English, three units of mathematics, and four units of natural and social sciences. Students must also graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and achieve a composite score of at least 22 on the ACT Plus Writing test or a composite score of at least 1030 on the SAT.
Students who don’t qualify for admission under the university’s minimum standards may achieve conditional admission if they have a minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale and a minimum ACT score of 21. Some programs may offer conditional admission with additional achievements. For example, the program in nursing requires that students have a minimum grade of B in high school chemistry and biology.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Saint Xavier University is $33,300 per year for full-time enrollment or $680 per credit hour for students enrolled part-time. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same rates at Saint Xavier University because the school is a private institution. Some programs require additional tuition or have different rates. For example, full-time nursing students in the ABSN program pay $49,900 per year.
Students enrolled in graduate programs will pay a rate based on the program in which they’re enrolled. For example, the Applied Computer Science (MACS) program is $920 per credit hour, the M.A. in Education is $575 per credit hour, and the Master of Science in Medical Sciences is $750 per credit hour. Rates for online study vary slightly versus on-campus rates, but tuition costs are generally similar for both online and on-campus degree options.
Students interested in obtaining financial aid while taking classes at Saint Xavier University will work with the Financial Aid Office to apply for federal financial aid, grants, and scholarships. Students who receive financial aid must achieve satisfactory academic progress while enrolled and may also qualify for financial aid for summer classes. The university recommends that students submit their FAFSA form as early as possible.
Prospective students will want to explore institutional scholarships, outside scholarships, and graduate assistantships for opportunities to receive money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid. Students who are accepted to Saint Xavier University will receive a financial aid award based on the total cost of attendance minus the student’s expected family contribution.
