Degrees for Education

The Teacher Certification Program is designed to allow individuals with a baccalaureate degree to obtain state certification to be eligible for a classroom teaching position.

After completing the TCP program, students interested in obtaining a master’s degree can then move seamlessly forward in UNE’s Master of Science in Education program with a concentration in Teaching Methodology.

Through course work designed to satisfy department and state requirements, certification in areas of elementary education (K-8), secondary education (7-12), and art education (K-12) may be obtained. Courses provide foundational and pedagogical knowledge, coupled with the requirement to have field experiences in public school classrooms throughout the program.

The Business, Computer and Information Technology Teacher Education major prepares teachers to teach business and office education subjects for elementary, middle school, and high school. The program is designed to help students acquire competencies in liberal arts, business foundations, and professional studies. This comprehensive certificate (K-12) prepares students to teach office technology, programming, accounting, entrepreneurship, business law, general business, software applications, business communications, keyboarding, marketing and management.

Practical applications of teaching competencies are made during the professional semester - a full-time block of studies that includes micro-teaching, methods of developing and achieving performance objectives, and supervised student teaching in an approved school.

A student completing the studies and field experiences of the program will be able to demonstrate:
competency in business subjects,
effective communication skills,
skills for self-initiated learning,
effective interpersonal relationships,
appropriate strategies leading to effective action in new situations, and
competency in designing instructional systems for individualized learning.

For detailed information on the teacher certification program at Robert Morris University, refer to the Guidelines for Secondary Teacher Certification available in the RMU Bookstore.

Do you love geometry, algebra or trigonometry? Want to share your love of math with young people as a math teachers? If so, you might want to consider our mathematics education major.

As a mathematics education major, you will take all the necessary education and mathematics courses to prepare you to lead your own classroom one day. But, it won’t be all classroom work. You’ll also student teach in a middle school or high school class.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to earn your teacher certification. Most of the students in our program seek teacher certification in Pennsylvania or New York state.

Course Requirments in the Major
DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
CALCULUS I
CALCULUS II
CALCULUS III
MATRIX AND DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
LINEAR ALGEBRA
GEOMETRY
MATHEMATICAL MODELING
APPLIED PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
ABSTRACT ALGEBRA AND NUMBER THEORY
ADVANCED DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS
CAPSTONE: MATHEMATICS
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
SECONDARY METHODS
DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT
READING AND WRITING IN THE CONTENT CURRICULUM
EDUCATION LAB I
EDUCATION LAB II
EDUCATION LAB III
STUDENT TEACHING
PEDC (1 cr)

Total Credits for Major: 126

Additional Information:
You must formally apply to be admitted to the teacher certification program after you have completed 60 credits.

Requirements for admission include successfully passing the appropriate PRAXIS I tests, maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA and receiving no lower than a C- in any course. Letters of recommendation as well as a survey are part of the application process. Admission to the program does not guarantee certification but the program is designed to help teacher candidates meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification requirements.

Want to teach students about climate change, conservation and the effects of pollution? Then our environmental studies education major may be just what you’re looking for.

As an environmental studies education major, you take all the necessary education and environmental-related courses to prepare you to lead your own class one day. But, it won’t be all classroom work. You’ll also get a chance to student teach in a middle school or high school class.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to earn your teacher certification. Most of the students in our program seek teacher certification in Pennsylvania or New York state.

Course Requirements in Major
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY LAB
CHEMISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
CHEMISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT LAB
INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMICS
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY LAB
PUBLIC POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
STATISTICS
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
ECONOMICS OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SECONDARY METHODS
DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT
READING AND WRITING IN THE CONTENT CURRICULUM
EDUCATION LAB I
EDUCATION LAB II
EDUCATION LAB III
STUDENT TEACHING
Upper-Level Electives (6 cr)
PEDC (1 cr)

Total Credits for Major: 124

Additional Information:
You need to formally apply to be admitted to the teacher certification program after you complete 60 credits.
Requirements for admission include successfully passing the appropriate PRAXIS I tests, maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA and receiving no lower than a C- in any course. Letters of recommendation as well as a survey are part of the application process. Admission to the program does not guarantee certification but the program is designed to help teacher candidates meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification requirements.

Do want to be an English teacher someday? Introduce some of the great books to young people? Then you’ll want to learn more about our English education major.

In our program, you’ll take all the necessary education and English-related courses to prepare you to lead your own classroom one day. But, it won’t be all classroom work. You’ll also get a chance to student teach in a middle school or high school class.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to earn your teacher certification. Most of the students in our program seek teacher certification in Pennsylvania or New York state.

Course Requirments in the Major
All courses in the major must be completed iwth a C- or higher and a 3.0 grade point average must be maintained, in the major and overall.
LITERATURE AND INTERPRETATION

Coverage: Six courses (18 credits), including at least one course from a period prior to 1800, one course from each group, and one upper-level course. (American Literature, British/European Literature, Contemporary World Literature, Western Foundations)

INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE or SHAKESPEAREAN PERFORMANCES
CRITICAL METHODS
CAPSTONE: ENGLISH
Foreign Language Proficiency - through 201 (3-9 cr)

Four courses in English, Writing, Classics, or Comparative Literature
HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
GRAMMAR
FILM AND LITERATURE
Upper-Level Writing (3 cr)
Upper-Level Elective (3 cr)
Math requirement (MATH 0110 suggested)
Math requirement (MATH 0139 suggested)
COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
ADOLESCENT LITERATURE
SECONDARY METHODS
DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT
READING AND WRITING IN THE CONTENT CURRICULUM
EDUCATION LAB I
EDUCATION LAB II
EDUCATION LAB III
STUDENT TEACHING
PEDC (1 cr)

Total Credits for Major: 126

Additional Information:
You need to formally apply to be admitted to the teacher certification program after you complete 60 credits.
Requirements for admission include successfully passing the appropriate PRAXIS I tests, maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA and receiving no lower than a C- in any course. Letters of recommendation as well as a survey are part of the application process. Admission to the program does not guarantee certification but the program is designed to help teacher candidates meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification requirements.

Are you thinking about being a chemistry teacher? Our chemistry education major will help you get there. Our program will prepare you to teach your own classroom of budding chemists.

As a chemistry education major, you’ll take all the necessary education and chemistry courses to prepare you to lead your own class one day. But, it won’t be all classroom work. You’ll also get a chance to student teach in a middle school or high school class.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to earn your teacher certification. Most of the students in our program seek teacher certification in Pennsylvania or New York state.

Course Requirements in the Major
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
INTRODUCTION TO ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I LAB
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II LAB
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II
ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
CAPSTONE: CHEMISTRY
CALCULUS I
CALCULUS II
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS I
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS I LAB
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS II
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS II LAB
COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
SECONDARY METHODS
DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT
READING AND WRITING IN THE CONTENT CURRICULUM
EDUCATION LAB I
EDUCATION LAB II
EDUCATION LAB III
STUDENT TEACHING

Total Credits for Major: 126

Additional Information:
You need to formally apply to be admitted to the teacher certification program after you complete 60 credits.
Requirements for admission include successfully passing the appropriate PRAXIS I tests, maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA and receiving no lower than a C- in any course. Letters of recommendation as well as a survey are part of the application process. Admission to the program does not guarantee certification but the program is designed to help teacher candidates meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification requirements.

Want to teach business at a middle school or high school? Then you’ll probably want to study business education. Our program will prepare you to teach your own classroom of future businessmen and women.

As a business education major, you’ll take all the necessary education and business courses to prepare you to lead your own classroom one day. But, it won’t be all classroom work. You’ll also get a chance to student teach in a middle school or high school class.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to earn your teacher certification. Most of the students in our program seek teacher certification in Pennsylvania or New York state.

Course Requirments in the Major
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS
MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS
INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMICS
INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS
STATISTICAL METHODS
CORPORATE FINANCE
APPLIED CALCULUS
MICROCOMPUTING FOR MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS LAW
PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING
BUSINESS IN SOCIETY AND THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
CAPSTONE: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
SECONDARY METHODS
DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT
READING AND WRITING IN THE CONTENT CURRICULUM
EDUCATION LAB I
EDUCATION LAB II
EDUCATION LAB III
STUDENT TEACHING
PEDC (1 cr)
Second College Level Math (3/4 cr)

Total Credits for Major: 123

Additional Information:
You need to formally apply to be admitted to the teacher certification program once you’ve completed 60 credits.
Requirements for admission include successfully passing the appropriate PRAXIS I tests, maintaining a 3.0 overall GPA and receiving no lower than a C- in any course. Letters of recommendation as well as a survey are part of the application process. Admission to the program does not guarantee certification but the program is designed to help teacher candidates meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification requirements.

Biology Education Major
Chemistry Education Major
Education Faculty
Education Minor
Education Resources and Organizations
Elementary Education Major
English Education Major
Environmental Education K-12
Forms for Students
Health and Physical Education Major K-12
Mathematics Education Major
Social Studies Education Major

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.

This program is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are seeking advanced study in professional education. This is not a NY state teacher certification program. Applicants interested in this program may work in an instructional position or staff development position in other fields, or may work in school settings but not in a certification area.

ProgramCore Requirements Hours
EDU 550 Application of Technology in Education 3
EDG 690 Master’s Project 3
EDG 680 Research Methods in Education 3
Other Requirements
Concentration Requirements 9
Electives 12
Total 30

Program Description

The MA in Education with Dual Teacher Certification offers three types of certification:
Elementary Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (K-5)
Elementary/Middle School Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (K-8)
Specific Subject Area Dual Teacher Certification with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (Secondary Certification)

The Traditional Dual Teacher certification Program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university who have chosen to enter the teaching profession. This unique, 18 month minimum, 39 credit certification program benefits the students through intense coursework with an emphasis upon enriched field experiences.
The program is a minimum of 18 months for certification (39 credits) with an additional 15 credits to complete the Masters degree

The Traditional program allows students to work full time up to the point of the 15 week student teaching experience.
Classes are offered in the evening starting at 7:00 p.m.
A typical schedule is shown below.
Fall 200X Spring 200Y Summer 200Y Fall 200Y Spring 200Z
EDC5110 EDC5105
(60 hrs) EDC5225 EDC5235 EDC6080
(student teaching)
EDC5158 EDC5206 EDC5211 EDC6313
(90 hrs)
EDC5210

Students who successfully complete their course work for certification (39 credits), Praxis II exam requirement and field experience will achieve a state-approved dual teacher certification: The first certification will be in teaching K-5; K-8 (subject specific) or 6-12 (secondary – subject specific). The second will be an endorsement in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Special Education) in their specific teaching area.
Program Highlights

The strength of our program is our faculty. All students are taught by practitioners. Our professors have many years in the public sector as teachers and administrators. This is what is noteworthy about our program. It is based on practical application rather than instructors who quote research but have never taught. As William Purkey, a leading educator stated “You can’t come back from where you have never been”. Students must learn from those who have been there. Perhaps this is the reason eighty percent of our graduates have teaching positions within six months of graduation. Many have been selected as Teacher of the Year by their respective schools and the County. Some have represented New Jersey on the national level as Teacher of the Year.

Many of our graduates have become principals, supervisors, superintendents of schools. In fact, one of our graduates is a County Superintendent. The proof of our program rests in the achievement of the pupils our graduates teach. This is one reason our graduates are sought by various school districts.
Admisssion Requirements
Four-year degree form a regionally accredited college/university
A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for consideration to the program

Admissions Procedures for Teacher Certification students
Completed application - Graduate Application (PDF) or Online Graduate Application
$40.00 application fee
Transcripts from EVERY college/university attended
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of objectives (a one to three page essay on why you want to become a teacher)

At this point your transcripts will be evaluated for prerequisite coursework and a decision will be made regarding your acceptance.
You will be sent a letter from the school of education listing the required prerequisite coursework. Next:
Submit Praxis I scores (see Praxis I handout)
Submit results of federal fingerprint check. Information available online at www.bioapplicant.com/nj/

The last step is the advising interview with the School of Education PRIOR to registration. Information will be sent to accepted students.

Once accepted, the applicant must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass student teaching with a “B” or better and pass the required Praxis II exam/s Prior to student teaching.
Course Sequence
EDC 5105 – Introduction to Inclusive Education (inc. 60 hrs. in classroom setting)
EDC 5110 – Foundations in Inclusive Education
EDC 5158 – Introduction to Educational Technology in an Inclusive Setting
EDC 5206 – Assessment and Instr. Design for Students with Special Needs

If Elementary (K-5, K-8)
EDC 5210 – Inst. In Literacy Inclusive Elem. Ed. I
EDC 5211 – Inst. In Literacy Inclusive Elem. Ed. II
EDC 5225 – Inst. Numeracy for Inclusive El. Ed
EDC 5235 – Inst. Design for Inclusive El. Ed.

If Subject Specific Area
EDC 5215 – Inst. In Literacy for Inclusive Sec. Ed I
EDC 5220 – Inst. In Literacy for Inclusive Sec. Ed. II
EDC 5230 – Secondary Subj. Inst. In Inclus. Ed.
EDC 5240 – Inst. Design for Inclusive Sec. Ed
EDC 6313 – Co- Planning and Co-Teaching for Inclusive Education
(includes 90 hours in an inclusive classroom setting)
EDC 6080 – Student Teaching – (includes 15 week in an inclusive classroom setting)

Total credits – 39 credits
To complete the MA in Education (with-in a six year maximum time limit)
EDC 5001 – Phil. And Psych. Foundations of Inclusive Education
EDC 5014 – Methods of Research for Leadership in the Inclusive Setting
EDC 5010 – Curricular Leadership for the Inclusive School
EDC 6095 – Project: Applied Thesis I
EDC 6099 – Project: Applied Thesis II

Total credits – 54 credits