Secondary Education Certification
All requirements are subject to change based on changes in requirements to Teacher Certification code in respective state level Departments of Education.
Purpose of Program
The programs for certification in secondary education are designed for individuals who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in an area other than education. The programs are planned and supervised by the Department of Professional and Secondary Education and by the department responsible for the academic major.
Program of Study
Certification areas are the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Space Science
- English
- French
- General Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Studies
- Spanish
Candidates are urged to meet regularly with advisers, one from Professional and Secondary Education, and another from the discipline department to ensure receiving certification in the most efficient manner.
Plan of Study
A total of 27 credits of professional course work are required plus a semester of Student Teaching which includes Practicum support sessions and Internship (13 credits).
Students must achieve and maintain the minimum requirements for admission to, and retention in, the certification programs as specified by the departments and the Teacher Education Council.
Required Courses:
| PSED 510 | Teacher- School and Community | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & Learnng Proc | 3 credits |
| PSED 524 | Teach ELL Diverse Class | 3 credits |
| REED 528 | Teaching Content Area Reading to Diverse Learners | 3 credits |
| SPED 550 | Nature and Needs of Exceptional Individuals | 3 credits |
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 credits |
Secondary Education Methods Courses
The appropriate secondary education methods course (below) should be taken one or two semesters before enrolling in Student Teaching. Some Methods courses are not offered every semester so it is critical to work with both the PSED adviser and the academic content area adviser to ensure completing the program in the most efficient manner.
Students are encouraged to take Seminar I before or concurrently with the "Teaching of ..." courses. Seminar I and II may not be taken concurrently.
Student Teaching
Student teaching may be taken as graduate level credits but may not be used to fulfill master’s of education degree requirements.
The two student teaching experiences will include a required support program called practicum. It also includes support from the academic department in the following course:
| | Arts and Science (Dept. Code 499) Internship in Student Teaching | 1 credit |
Final Completion Requirements
Graduates who complete the required courses in one of the majors listed above, the professional education courses, the university requirements, and the state requirements are eligible to be recommended for certification to teach in their major in grades 7-12.
Applications for certification are obtained online from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.