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Education K-12 Certification

  • Certificate

Students who are passionate about teaching art, business computer and information technology, Chinese, French or Spanish to students ranging from kindergarten to high school, will find this certification is perfect for them.

Undergraduate Programs

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements for K-12 Certification

    Requirements for K-12 Certification
    In addition to the courses listed below, candidates must satisfy the requirements for a major in an academic degree program related to their area of certification and have a minimum of six (6) credits in English [one (1) composition, one (1) literature] and six (6) credits in college mathematics (100-level or above). 

    Courses in psychology (12 credits):
    PY 115 Educational Psychology* - 3 credits
    PY 214 Adolescent Psychology* - 3 credits
    PY 290 Psychology/Education of the Exceptional Student - 3 credits
    Courses in basic pedagogy (16 credits):
    ED 100 Foundations of Education* - 3 credits
    ED 205 Strategies and Techniques of Instruction - 2 credits
    ED 208 Classroom Partnerships and Inclusion - 3 credits
    ED 220 Academic Intervention and Differentiation in the Content Areas - 2 credits
    ED 300-306 Teaching in the Content Area (discipline area) - 3 credits
    ED 390 Teaching Nonnative and Culturally Diverse Students - 3 credits
    Field experiences (17 credits):
    ED 103 Field Experience I: K-12 and Secondary** - 1 credit
    ED 206 Field Experience II: Strategies and Techniques of Instruction - 1 credit
    ED 322 Field Experience III: K-12 and Secondary Instruction and Theory - 1 credit
    ED 400 Field Experience IV: Pre-Student Teaching Practicum - 2 credits
    ED 410 Field Experience V: Student Teaching Internship  - 8 credits
    ED 411 Professional Seminar - 3 credits

    *Also fulfills core curriculum requirements.
    **ED 207 (Practicum in Education I) may be substituted for ED 103

     K-12 Certification Content Majors:
    Chinese Language and Culture Minor with History Major
    Art
    Spanish
    French
    Business, Computer and Information Tech

Program Highlights

Results

  • Candidates have opportunities to tutor and teach lessons in their expertise areas. Some candidates receive tutoring positions on campus, while other candidates choose to volunteer at local school districts. All candidates participate in required fieldwork that provides learning experiences working in their specific discipline.
  • Teaching a 10-week class for the STEP-UP Enrichment Program hosted by Saint Vincent College is one field experience required of secondary education candidates. Doing so will ensure that graduates go into the classroom well prepared and armed with practical experience.
  • Candidates also create an electronic portfolio that documents content knowledge and experiences. In order to graduate, candidates must also complete 14 weeks of student teaching and evaluation and pass all required praxis tests.
  • All methods courses have required field hours and micro-teaching experiences.

Internships and Careers

Students graduating with a content certificate grades K-12 will be prepared for a career in teaching from kindergarten to high school. The culminating activity is a 14-week student teaching assignment in a school and classroom appropriate to the certification area, ensuring that graduates go into their professional career with practical experience to go along with their theoretical knowledge.

 After graduation, candidates can seek jobs at schools or in family and youth services. Candidates can also apply for graduate school.

 Student teaching prepares our graduates for the life of a teacher. After graduation, recent education alumni have gone on to successful teaching careers with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, St. John's, Kiski Area, Woodgrove, Penn-Trafford, Norwin, St. Mary's and many other local and national school districts and institutions.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of content and pedagogical skills in planning and preparation.
  • Establish and maintain a purposeful and equitable environment for learning.
  • Recognize research trends, preferred teaching styles, and desired learning outcomes.
  • Use a variety of instructional strategies to engage K-12 students.
  • Address instructional needs of ESL and special needs students within the regular classroom setting.
  • Show evidence of effective classroom management skills.
  • Employ effective instructional technologies.
  • Exhibit professionalism in all aspects that occur both in and beyond the classroom.
  • Abide by the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators. 

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