Degrees for Education

Penn State Schuylkill offers the Master of Education Degree in Teaching and Curriculum. The program, offered in conjunction with Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College, is designed to enhance the skills of K-12 teachers in public and private schools. Course electives are offered at Penn State Schuylkill, depending on class enrollments, the core course will need to be taken at Penn State Harrisburg.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The Master of Education Degree in Teaching and Curriculum will help you:
Communicate more effectively with school-aged students, parents, colleagues, and administrators;
Enhance their ability to conduct instructional programs that provide a sound intellectual and emotional climate for learning;
Increase their competence in a variety of teaching methods and in the utilization of materials and content;
Interpret and evaluate educational literature and research;
Better describe and evaluate major issues and current trends in instructional curriculum practice and development.

This degree program enables students to complete all of the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Kindergarten (K-6 Teaching Option) at the Berks campus and to meet the requirements for the Instructional I certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (Students at the Berks campus can also complete a two-year course of study in education prior to changing locations for any teaching option at University Park , Altoona, Lehigh Valley or Penn State Harrisburg.)

The teacher certification program in elementary education at the Berks campus is offered in collaboration with Penn State’s College of Education. Practical field experiences mainly take place in the Reading School District and are emphasized to promote the integration of academic coursework and professional skills at all levels of coursework.

Full-time study is required for a minimum of the three semesters when students are enrolled in the methods courses and student teaching practicum. See the “Degree Overview” page for more information about entrance to major requirements.

For information about the degree program at the Berks campus, contact Dr. David Bender at dsb@psu.edu.

Students in the program also have the option of obtaining English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certification. (Students at the Lehigh Valley campus can also complete a two-year course of study in education prior to changing locations for any teaching option at University Park , Altoona campus, Berks campus or Penn State Harrisburg.)

The teacher certification program in elementary education at Penn State Lehigh Valley is offered in collaboration with Penn State’s College of Education. Practical field experiences are emphasized to promote the integration of academic coursework and professional skills at all levels of coursework.

Full-time study is required when students are enrolled in the student teaching practicum. See the “Degree Overview” page for more information about entrance to major requirements. Junior level courses will be offered beginning with the Fall 2006 Semester.

For information about the degree program at the Lehigh Valley Campus, contact Dr. Mary Hutchinson at mcl6@psu.edu.

Degree Overview
Field Experiences
Field experiences are required at all levels of the program. Prior to formal admission to the major, these experiences provide valuable hands-on opportunities for students to explore the teaching profession and learn about the process of teaching and learning. Furthermore, these activities will help them decide whether elementary education is the right personal choice as a career. Later on, on-site practicum in school settings will accompany the methods courses during the junior and senior years. Finally, student teaching is a full-time semester practicum accompanied by a seminar.
Accreditation
The degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and accredited nationally by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Advising
Students are assigned a faculty member to be their advisor. The College of Education has extensive advising information available on the Internet at http://www.ed.psu.edu/edservices/sitemap.html
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements to graduate from Penn State with certification in elementary education can be found on the Internet at http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/major/ek_ed.htm. These requirements can also be found in a checksheet format http://www.lv.psu.edu/degrees/eedbl/eked_k6_05.pdf

Teacher Education Entrance and Exit Program Requirements
Entrance to the specific major typically occurs during the spring semester of the student’s sophomore year. Baccalaureate degree candidates must meet requirements 1-3 by the end of their third semester:
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00
Qualifying scores from the PRAXIS I – PPST for Reading, Writing and Mathematics. (http://www.ed.psu.edu/edservices/testing.htm)
Documentation of at least 80 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience with learners of elementary school age. At least 40 of these age-appropriate 80 hours must be with learners whose cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds differ from the candidate’s own. Documentation Form (http://www.ed.psu.edu/edservices/certification/workexp_req.html)

Requirements 4-7 must be met by the end of the fourth semester when students typically participate in the Entrance to Major process. Students have only one opportunity to participate in the Entrance to Major (ETM) process.
A grade of “C” or better in all specified courses:
CI 295 (2 credits)
EDPSY 14
EDTHP 115
ENGL 15
HDFS 229 (EDPSY 10 OR PSY 213)
HIST 20 or 21
Biological Natural Science (GN) for 3 credits
Quantification (GQ) for 6 credits
Literature Course (3 credits)
Criminal History clearances at http://www.ed.psu.edu/edservices/certification/criminal_his.html.
Completion of at least 48 semester credit hours
Approval from the professional education adviser or the head of the certification program.
Exit criteria for eligibility for a teacher certificate is based on:
Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 consistent with that required for admission to the program.
A grade of C or better in all specified courses, including practica.
Approval by the program coordinator, representing the faculty and by the University Certification Officer.
Successful compliance with and completion of any clearances and tests as specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Approval by the program coordinator, representing the program faculty.
Upper level curriculum – Semesters 5-8
Teacher candidates follow a carefully sequenced curriculum during the junior and senior years, including:
LL ED BLOCK – the Language and Literacy Education Block during which students study the teaching of reading, language arts, and children’s literature in elementary school. This block of 3 courses is accompanied by two course in art and music education.
DI BLOCK – in the Discipline Inquiry Block, students attend methods courses in Social Studies Education, Science Education, and Math Education. The Block also includes a practicum in which students spend time in elementary school classrooms as a preservice teacher.
STUDENT TEACHING PRACTICUM – Student teachers engage in full-time classroom instruction during the senior year in an area elementary school. Student teachers are supervised by University personnel and professional teachers, and also attend a seminar on campus one day per week. Students are not permitted to enroll in any other courses or have jobs during the student teaching semester.

The Program

The Master of Education in Literacy Education at Penn State Harrisburg is designed to provide full-time and part-time graduate students with a focused program of study in the field of reading education. The program is aligned with the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Following successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Praxis examination for certification as a reading specialist (K-12). Specifically, the goals of the program are to develop in students: (1) specialized, in-depth knowledge about the teaching of reading and writing; (2) the clinical skills necessary for diagnosing and intervening with reading disabled students; (3) the ability to interpret and to evaluate literacy research, (4) the literacy leadership skills necessary to support the professional practices in a K-12 setting; (5) provide rigorous offerings aligned with the standards of the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and (6) prepare students for the complexities they will face as reading specialists in schools serving the K-12 population.
Admission Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate School requirements stated in the GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin.

The M.Ed. Program in Literacy Education has five important admission requirements.

First, candidates must have achieved an overall junior/senior grade point average of 3.00 or higher. For candidates applying for admission who have completed credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, we will evaluate the last (approximately) 60 credits completed.

Second, candidates must submit two letters of recommendation. These letters must be from former professors who can attest to the academic ability and potential of the candidate.

Third, candidates must submit a 200-300 word personal statement that addresses their career goals and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree.

Fourth, candidates must have a valid Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate and present evidence that they have completed a course in the methods of teaching reading such as EDUC 320 (Methods in Teaching Beginning Readers) or 321 (Methods in Teaching Intermediate and Advanced Readers) with a grade of C or better.

Fifth, candidates must submit test scores from one of the following: Graduate Record Examination, Miller Analogies Test, or Praxis examinations completed for certification. In addition, the language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer based test, or a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.
Retention

Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.00 grade point average, satisfactorily complete all required key assessments, attain a grade of “C” or better in all required core courses. Candidates who do not make satisfactory progress will be notified in writing noting the specific deficiencies and requesting that they meet with the program coordinator to develop a remediation plan. Failure to meet or to satisfactorily complete the remediation plan will result in termination from the program.

All persons enrolled in Teacher Education Programs at Penn State Harrisburg are expected to demonstrate the professional dispositions that are aligned with the unit’s vision statement. The faculty shall evaluate the approved dispositions demonstrated by the candidates in class and during field experiences. Candidates may be rated as exemplary, acceptable, or unacceptable. Candidates are expected to attain acceptable or exemplary ratings in order to graduate.
Degree Requirements

The Master of Education degree in Literacy Education consists of 42 credits that prepare candidates for the Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification (K-12). The degree requirements for the Master of Education in Literacy Education includes 36 credits in foundational, pedagogical, and advanced theoretical work in reading, writing and educational research design and a 6 credit capstone clinical practicum for a total of 42 credits. A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work done at the University and acceptable or higher ratings on the professional dispositions are required for graduation.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have completed most of their first two years of college as well as the Entry to Major Requirements listed above with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale). The evaluation of prior college work is done on an individual basis by the Office of Enrollment Services at Penn State Harrisburg.

The deadlines for an applicant to have all clearances into the admissions office are:
Admission for Fall semester – July 15
Admission for Spring semester – November 15
Admission for Summer semester – March 15

We will consider an application without these clearances incomplete. Additionally, students applying after July 15 must provide clearance form receipts showing submission of the forms prior to July 15.

These clearances include the following:
FBI Clearance Fingerprint check
Act 151 PA Child abuse history clearance
Act 34 Request for criminal record check

Please read the clearance information page for more details about the required clearances.

Career Opportunities

The Penn State Harrisburg English program, is a broad-based program for the student who desires to study English in depth. In the General English option, the study of language, literature, and writing provides a foundation upon which many occupational skills can be developed. Some students start their careers as writers and editors, while others develop analytical skills that take them to positions in business, industry, and government.

The Secondary Education English option will prepare students to teach English and the Humanities in secondary schools grades 7 to 12. English and Humanities teachers will be required to study and instruct the history and study of language, English, American and world literature, written and oral composition, drama, speech communications, literary criticism, techniques of research in the field of English, writing, and relationships of English to other fields of knowledge.
Job Title

Because employment of English majors is spread among a variety of occupations, graduates represent many job titles. The following list provides some of the reported occupational titles for bachelor’s degree English graduates in the United States: Advertising Manager, Account Executive, Author, Communication Specialist, Copy Editor, Copywriter, Corporate Communications Specialist, Editor, Ghostwriter, Intercultural Communication Specialist, Management Supervisor, Market Research Manager, Media Director, Press Secretary, Production Manager, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Manager, Sales Associate, News Writer, Sales Representative, Spokesperson, Staff Writer, Teacher, and Writer.
Job Outlook

The job outlook for English majors is good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected change in employment in the top 10 occupations that employ English or Liberal Arts majors is expected to increase 10% or about as fast as the average for all occupations between 2006-2016.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years are expected to be excellent. In fact, teachers at the secondary and college levels are listed among the 10 occupations with the largest projected wage and salary growth through 2016.

Career Opportunities

Elementary teachers introduce children to learning through the basics of numbers, language, science, and social studies. They design classroom presentations to meet the needs and abilities of their students. They also work with children independently. They provide instruction, conduct assessments, listen to presentations, and maintain discipline. They inditvidually meet with parents and faculty and serve on faculty and community committees. Elementary teachers also become supervisors, administrators, and mentors to new teachers.
Certification

The Penn State Harrisburg Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education program is designed to provide students with the experiences necessary to become certified teachers of elementary education. Graduates can work in public, private, or parochial school systems. Students may complete the Elementary Education program to be certified elementary teachers for grades K through 6 or can complete a dual certification in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education for additional certification to teach grades P – 3. Following graduation, students must be certified to teach by meeting any test and clearance requirements of a particular state.
Field Experience

The Elementary Education program offers extensive field experiences during the junior year prior to student teaching. An objective of the program is the development of reflective practice and independence. During the junior year, students will be expected to complete all other courses required for certification, including a twelve-week, part-time field placement in a local school district. This is followed by a ten-week, part-time field experience in the first semester of the senior year and a twelve- week, full-time student teaching experience in the final semester.
Clubs and Organizations

Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Alpha Chapter

The Sigma Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi was installed on May 1, 1990, as an official student organization at Penn State Harrisburg. A student who has been formally admitted into a teacher education program at Penn State Harrisburg may become a member by fulfilling the requirements, completing an application, and paying the membership fee of $35. The requirements for membership are a 3.25 grade-point average at Penn State Harrisburg, attendance at two meetings, participation in a fundraising event, and two hours of community service. Kappa Delta Pi is an internationally recognized educational honor society. In addition to the recognition members receive for being part of the honor society, they receive the following publications: The Educational Forum, The Kappa Delta Pi Record, The Scroll & Stylus, and The Classroom Practice Series.

Student Chapter of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)

A student chapter of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) was registered as an official student organization at Penn State Harrisburg on March 10, 2005. Any individuals interested in education may become a member by fulfilling the requirements and joining ASCD at a student rate of $25. The requirements for membership are a 2.8 grade-point average and attendance at two meetings per academic year OR one meeting and one ASCD or PASCD (southern region or state) conference per academic year. ASCD is an international, nonprofit, nonpartisan education association. Member benefits include discounted rates to conferences, subscription to the Educational Leadership journal, Education Update newsletter, Curriculum Update newsletter, online resources, and other ongoing professional development opportunities.

The Elementary Education program at Penn State Harrisburg embodies the four tenets of our conceptual framework: constructivism, authenticity, reflectivity, and standards-based curriculum. constructivism entails a student-centered approach in which teachers help learners build their own understandings. Authenticity refers to developing professional and pedagogical skills in authentic classroom settings; for example, in the junior and senior years prior to student teaching, the program offers extensive field experiences in a variety of settings enrolling students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Reflectivity relates to consciously analyzing course content and one’s own learning for the purpose of deeper understanding and self-improvement. Standards-based curriculum means that our candidates are steeped in Pennsylvania Academic Standards as well as the standards of relevant professional organizations. Taken together, these tenets enable our candidates to become lifelong reflective professionals committed to the learning of all students.

Prior to the full-time student teaching experience in the senior year, candidates are expected to complete all other courses required for certification, including two field placements. On-campus courses are scheduled three or four days a week, while field experiences in nearby schools are scheduled part-time, three or four days per week.

For a B. ELED. degree in Elementary Education, a minimum of 124 credits is required.

For a B. ELED. degree in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Education Certification, a minimum of 133 credits is required.
Special Admissions Information
Admission Requirements

Applicants should have completed most of their first two years of college as well as the Entry to Major Requirements listed above with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale). The evaluation of prior college work is done on an individual basis by the Office of Enrollment Services at Penn State Harrisburg.

July 15th is the deadline for an applicant to have all clearances into the admissions office. We will consider an application without these clearances incomplete. Additionally, students applying after July 15 must provide clearance form receipts showing submission of the forms prior to July 15.

These clearances include the following:
FBI Clearance Fingerprint check
Act 151 PA Child abuse history clearance
Act 34 Request for criminal record check

Please read the clearance information page for more details about the required clearances.