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2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

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Secondary Education Certification Preparation

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 510Teacher, School and Community

3 credits
PSED 516Learner & the Learning Process

3 credits
PSED 524Teaching English Language Learners in the Diverse Classroom Setting

3 credits
REED 528Teaching Content Area Reading to Diverse Learners

3 credits
SPED 550Nature and Needs of Exceptional Individuals

3 credits
SPED 551Inclusionary Practices

3 credits

Secondary Education Methods Courses

The appropriate secondary education methods courses (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.

PSED 506Teaching of English in the Secondary Schools

3 credits
PSED 517Teaching of Foreign Language

3 credits
PSED 520Seminar Secondary Education I

3 credits
PSED 521Seminar Secondary Education II

3 credits
PSED 536Teaching of Mathematics in the Secondary Schools

3 credits
PSED 546Teaching of Science in the Secondary Schools

3 credits
Or
PSED 566Teaching of Social Studies in the Secondary School

3 credits

Student Teaching

Student teaching may be taken as graduate level credits but may not be used to fulfill master’s of education degree requirements.

PSED 518 Student Teaching in Secondary Education: Middle School- Junior High  6 credits

PSED 519 Student Teaching in Senior High School  6 credits

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:

BIOL 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

CHEM 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

ENGL 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

HIST 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

PHYS 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

MATH 499 Student Teaching Internship

Or

MLNG 499 Student Teaching Internship

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.