Course Catalog

The Education Department at Saint Vincent College offers programs in the following:

Early Childhood, grades N-3
Elementary, grades K-6;
Art, grades K-12
Biology, grades 7-12
Business, Computer and Information Technology, grades K-12
Chemistry, grades 7-12
Citizenship, grades 7-12
English, grades 7-12
Environmental Education, grades K-12
French, grades K-12
Mathematics, grades 7-12
Physics, grades 7-12
Social Science, grades 7-12
Social Studies, grades 7-12
Spanish, grades K-12

The philosophy of the department is to provide Education students with experiences that develop both depth and breadth in professional skills and knowledge. This is accomplished by combining instruction in basic pedagogy with pertinent field experiences and courses in psychological foundations in education. The goals of these endeavors include grounding students in the scientific and artistic bases of the teaching profession; preparing them for the roles of the instructor, mentor, care-giver, advocate, and change agent; and refining their skills in the areas of organization, critical thinking, self-reflection, academic and personal integrity, responsible decision making, and creativity.

To prepare for the K-12 classroom, students engage in a variety of field-based activities throughout their study in the Department. These activities include observations, tutoring, classroom demonstrations, and teaching lessons in their fields. The culminating activity is a 14-week student teaching assignment in a school and classroom appropriate to the certification area.

After completing the teacher certification program at Saint Vincent College, 98% receive Pennsylvania teacher certification and 94.5% secure teaching positions or education-related positions within one year of completion.

Education Minor:

All students desiring to minor in Education should declare that minor upon acceptance to Saint Vincent College or as early in their college career as possible.

All Education minors are required to have a major in an academic discipline. In addition to the major, other course requirements include: 1. General studies requirements (usually fulfilled through the Core Curriculum), 2. Required courses in psychology, 3. Studies in education and 4. Student teaching field work. Students minoring in secondary education should consult other departmental listings and/or their major advisors to learn about requirements in their fields of study.

Clearances:

All students taking Education courses are required to have obtained Criminal History Record (Act 34) and Child Abuse (Act 151) clearances and a tuberculosis test prior to the start of the class.

Formal Admission to the Teacher Certification Program:

To gain formal admission to the teacher certification program, students must have earned 48 credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and have passed the pre-professional skills tests of the PRAXIS examinations. In addition, students must have successfully completed Foundations of Education (ED 100), Observation and Interaction Lab (ED 101), and Strategies and Techniques of Instruction (ED 205), with a grade of B- or higher. The application packet must include a completed application form, official transcripts of all college coursework, and three completed recommendation forms (at least two must be from college faculty members).

All post-baccalaureate students applying for teacher certification must show evidence of an undergraduate degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Tests of the PRAXIS exams. Three completed recommendation forms must be submitted (at least two must be from college faculty members).

Students may not register for the upper division field experience courses—Student Teaching Orientation (ED 400), Student Teaching Internship (ED 410), or Professional Seminar (ED 411)— until they have been officially accepted into the teacher certification program. Students denied acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program may appeal the decision to a review board composed of members of the Education Department and the College Teacher Education Committee.

An alternative admissions procedure is available for students who do not meet the required grade point average but who have demonstrated potential to become successful K-12 teachers and have worked with children. See the Chairperson of the Education Department for more information on the alternative admissions procedure.

Saint Vincent College also offers alternative certification for people who have been in the work force and are considering teaching as a new career. Initial contact for this program is with a school district. Those interested in more information about this program should contact the Chairperson of the Education Department or their local school district.

Minor without Certification:

Students may choose an Education minor only without pursuing teacher certification. Such a minor is often valuable preparation for careers in religious education, business, sociology, psychology, and communications.

To earn the Education minor, students will take all courses required in the minor for early childhood, elementary, secondary or K- 12 certification areas, except for the Student Teaching Field Experiences.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION MINOR/TEACHER CERTIFICATION:
General Studies Requirements

All candidates for early childhood and/or elementary teacher certification
must meet the following general studies requirements:

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.

All candidates for secondary certification and K-12 certifications in
must meet the following general studies requirements:

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.

Required Studies in Psychology
(12-15 credits)

All candidates for teacher certification must take the following foundation
courses in Psychology:

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.

Required Studies in Education for Certification in Early Childhood Education (N-3)
In addition to the courses listed below, candidates for certification
in early childhood education must satisfy the requirements for a
major in an academic degree program. The Education Department
recommends that undergraduate students explore the
Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Courses in basic pedagogy (21 credits)

Field experiences (15 credits)

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.
**Note: ED 207 (Practicum in Education) may be substituted for ED 101 with permission of the Department Chairperson.

Requirements for Certification in Elementary Education (K-6)
In addition to the courses listed below, candidates for certification in elementary education must satisfy the requirements for a major
in an academic degree program. The Education Department recommends that undergraduate students explore the Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Courses in basic teaching pedagogy
(21 credits)

Field experiences (15 credits)

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.
**Note: ED 207 (Practicum in Education I) may be substituted for ED 101 with permission of the Department Chairperson.

Dual Certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Students seeking a dual certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education are required to take the teaching pedagogy and field experience courses listed above for Elementary Education plus the following two additional Education courses:

Dual certification candidates must also take PY 251 Family Systems to meet state certification standards (refer to the previous section on Psychology). It is recommended that students seeking certification in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education explore the
Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Required Studies in Education for Candidates in Secondary Education (grades 7-12) and in K-12 Areas
In addition to the courses listed below, candidates for certification in secondary education must satisfy the requirements for a major
in an academic degree program related to their area of certification.

Courses in basic pedagogy (10 credits)

Field experiences (15 credits)

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.
**Note: ED 207 (Practicum in Education I) may be substituted for ED 101 with permission of the Department Chairperson.

Education courses required specifically for secondary Social Studies

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.

Praxis Examination Series
Prior to admission to the teacher certification program, students must pass the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Tests. Students are
strongly advised to take the remaining tests prior to or during their student teaching internship.

Required Studies in Education for Certification in Early Childhood Education (N-3)

In addition to the courses listed below, candidates for certification
in early childhood education must satisfy the requirements for a
major in an academic degree program. The Education Department
recommends that undergraduate students explore the
Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Courses in basic pedagogy (21 credits)

Field experiences (15 credits)

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.
**Note: ED 207 (Practicum in Education) may be substituted for ED 101 with permission of the Department Chairperson.

Requirements for Certification in Elementary Education (K-6)
In addition to the courses listed below, candidates for certification in elementary education must satisfy the requirements for a major
in an academic degree program. The Education Department recommends that undergraduate students explore the Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Courses in basic teaching pedagogy
(21 credits)

Field experiences (15 credits)

*Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.
**Note: ED 207 (Practicum in Education I) may be substituted for ED 101 with permission of the Department Chairperson.

Dual Certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Students seeking a dual certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education are required to take the teaching pedagogy and field experience courses listed above for Elementary Education plus the following two additional Education courses:

Dual certification candidates must also take PY 251 Family Systems to meet state certification standards (refer to the previous section on Psychology). It is recommended that students seeking certification in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education explore the
Psychology/Education major in the Psychology Department.

Prior to admission to the teacher certification program, students must pass the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Tests. Students are
strongly advised to take the remaining tests prior to or during their student teaching internship.