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Psychology Education

  • Bachelor of Arts
Psychology professor leading a class discussion with students seated in a semi-circle.

Shaping Educators Through the Lens of Psychology

2024-2025 Best Colleges of Distinction badge designed with a blue background and flame icon.Are you passionate about understanding how students think, learn, and grow—and ready to make a difference in the classroom? The psychology education program at Saint Vincent College prepares future educators to combine a deep understanding of human behavior with effective teaching strategies for today’s diverse learners. Grounded in the liberal arts and inspired by the Benedictine tradition, this program blends coursework in educational psychology, child development, and instructional methods with hands-on field experiences starting in your first year. Students have the option to add special education certification, equipping them to support students with a wide range of needs in inclusive settings. Whether you’re drawn to elementary or secondary education—or interested in how psychology intersects with teaching—this program offers the flexibility, mentorship, and real-world preparation to launch a meaningful career in education. Learn more about our education program here.

Students may also be interested in the following related minors:

Disability Studies with PK-12 Special Education Certification
Children’s Studies
Children's Literature
Psychology
Public Health

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

Education student reading a picture book to a group of children in a rustic classroom.

Frequent Field Experiences

Starting freshman year, students engage in field experiences that build essential skills in diverse settings. Integrated with coursework, these experiences allow immediate application of educational theories. Opportunities include the Bearcat B.E.S.T. program, environmental education at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, lesson planning for homeschooling students in our STEP-Up program, and immersive co-teaching. By their 14-week student teaching internship, students are fully prepared to lead. Learn more details about our educational field experiences.

Education students wrapping gifts together on the floor of a classroom with wooden walls.

Hands-On Service Opportunities

SVC’s Department of Education prioritizes service, encouraging students to engage meaningfully with the community. Through various opportunities, students develop empathy, leadership, and practical skills, and they can earn a service medal for commencement. A notable initiative is SVC Wraps for Kids, where students shop and wrap presents for disadvantaged children. This video highlights this wonderful service opportunity.

Exhibit space with wooden walls featuring a Fred Rogers quote and informational displays.

Partnerships with the Fred Rogers Institute

The Fred Rogers Institute and the SVC Department of Education collaborate to enrich student and faculty experiences through shared values of child-centered learning, compassion, and early development. This partnership grants education students access to resources like archival materials, workshops, and expert seminars, integrating Fred Rogers’ philosophy into their training.

Students working at desks in the Bearcast B.E.S.T. classroom, focused on writing assignments.

Bearcat B.E.S.T. Program

As a future educator at Saint Vincent College, you’ll engage with the Bearcat B.E.S.T. (Building Excellence for Skills Training) program—a campus initiative supporting young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through mentoring, classroom collaboration, and peer support, you’ll gain firsthand experience in inclusive education while developing empathy, adaptability, and practical teaching skills to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Careers and Outcomes

A psychology education degree from Saint Vincent College prepares graduates for meaningful careers at the intersection of teaching and human development. Many pursue roles as certified special education teachers, applying their understanding of cognitive and emotional development to support diverse learners. For those seeking broader impact, career paths include school counseling, behavioral support, special education, and educational psychology. The program also builds transferable skills—such as critical thinking, empathy, and data-informed decision-making—that are valuable in youth services, nonprofit work, human resources, and community mental health. Graduates are equipped to foster inclusive learning environments and promote student well-being both in and beyond the classroom. Upon graduation, 98% of our students are employed in education or related fields or continue their studies at the graduate level.

Alumni will go on to successful careers as:

  • Special education teacher
  • Behavioral support specialist
  • Instructional coach
  • Intervention specialist
  • Case manager (youth or family services)
  • Residential counselor or program coordinator
  • Early intervention specialist
  • Youth program director
  • Foster care or adoption services coordinator

Our students have secured jobs at a variety of places, including:

  • Special education schools across Pennsylvania and the U.S.
  • Intermediate units
  • Western Psychiatric Hospital (UPMC)
  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services (SPHS)
  • Adelphoi Village

Curriculum Requirements

The psychology education major, housed within the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, is enriched by a core curriculum that immerses students in a wide range of academic subjects. Through both foundational and advanced coursework, students discover interdisciplinary connections, enhancing their self-awareness and building expertise in their chosen field.

  • Required Courses

    Psychology Courses (15 credits)

    • PY 212 Child Development
    • PY 214 Adolescent Development
    • PY 251 Family Systems
    • PY 260 Social Psychology
    • PY or ED Elective

    Education Courses (44-45 credits)

    • ED 101/103/207 Field Experience I
    • ED 100 Foundations of Education (Fulfills core curriculum requirement)
    • ED 115 Educational Psychology
    • ED 142 Mathematics for Teachers (Fulfills core curriculum requirement)
    • ED 155 Geometric Measurement
    • CL 130 Children’s Literature (Fulfills core curriculum requirement)
    • ED 205 Strategies and Techniques of Instruction
    • ED 206 Field Experience II: Strategies of Instruction
    • ED 208 Classroom Partnerships and Inclusion
    • ED 290 Psychology of the Exceptional Student (Fulfills core curriculum requirement)
    • ED 333 Introduction to School Counseling and Family Services
    • ED 381 Educational Testing
    • ED XXX 4-Education Courses (reading and math methods)
    • ED 550/ED 400 Psychology/Education Internship

    Certification Courses (for students seeking PK-12 Special Education Certification) (29-30 credits)

    • ED 355 Instructional Interventions for Students with High Incident Disabilities
    • ED 360 Strategies and Assessment for Students with Significant and Multiple Disabilities
    • ED 362 Classroom Approaches for Students with Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • ED 412 Special Education Consultation Transition and Law
    • ED 400 or 413 Field Experience IV: Pre-Student Teaching or Special Education Internship
    • ED 401 Pre-student Teaching Seminar
    • ED 410 Field Experience V: Student Teaching
    • ED 411 Professional Seminar

  • Key Courses

    Child Development: Get ready to explore how kids grow, think, feel, and change—from the very beginning of life through the start of adolescence! In this course, we’ll dive into the big ideas and breakthrough theories that shape our understanding of child development—while also tackling real-world issues kids face today in their families, schools, and communities. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into how children learn, connect, and thrive at every stage.

    Instructional Interventions for Students with High Incident Disabilities: This interactive course equips you with practical strategies to support students with high-incidence disabilities in reading, writing, math, and beyond. You’ll explore lesson adaptations, life skills, and self-advocacy techniques while gaining hands-on experience through teaching practice and fieldwork. Get ready to collaborate, create, and make learning inclusive for all!

    Strategies and Techniques of Learning:  This course equips future educators with essential skills such as lesson planning, classroom management, assessment, and incorporation of technology. In addition, the course addresses key factors like available resources, curriculum standards, teaching styles, and the diverse needs of students.

Facilities and Resources

Makerspace in Latimer Library

The Makerspace at Saint Vincent College is a dynamic, hands-on learning environment essential to education programs. Equipped with tools for 3D printing, robotics, coding, and more, it helps students explore creative teaching strategies that integrate STEM and arts. Whether designing interactive science experiments, creating art projects with new technology, or developing games that support mathematical concepts, education majors gain practical experience in designing engaging hands-on activities for 21st-century classrooms.

Click here for a virtual tour of Makerspaces

Fred Rogers Institute

The Fred Rogers Institute and the Education Department at Saint Vincent College have partnered to enrich education for students and faculty. This collaboration, rooted in fostering child development, early learning, and the values championed by Fred Rogers himself, gives students access to the Institute’s resources, workshops, and expert staff.

Click here for a virtual tour of the Fred Rogers Institute.

Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve

The Education Department at Saint Vincent College partners with the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve (WPNR) to create immersive learning experiences emphasizing environmental education. Situated on campus, the Reserve offers over 50 acres of preserved land, filled with native plants, diverse ecosystems, and scenic trails, serving as an outdoor classroom.

Education students gain hands-on teaching experience in environmental and sustainability education through interactive field experiences. The partnership also involves curriculum development, integrating environmental literacy with core subjects like math, language arts, and social studies.

Click here for a virtual tour of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and the surrounding area

Program Distinctives

Pennsylvania Department of Education Accreditation

Saint Vincent College’s teacher preparation programs are fully accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), ensuring that our curriculum, faculty, and field experiences meet the highest standards of educational excellence. This accreditation means that our programs have been rigorously evaluated and align with state requirements, preparing graduates to be highly qualified, effective educators ready to enter the teaching profession. Through PDE accreditation, students in our education programs are eligible for certification in Pennsylvania upon graduation, enabling them to teach in their specific areas of study. The accreditation process also reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, as we regularly assess and enhance our programs to stay current with educational best practices and evolving standards in the field.

NASDTEC Interstate Agreement

Through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, Pennsylvania allows individuals who have completed a teacher preparation program or are already certified teachers in other states to receive Pennsylvania teaching certification through reciprocity. Pennsylvania-certified teachers can also transfer their certification to other states. Each state may have different testing and application requirements, so candidates should check the NASDTEC website for specific information on transferring their certification.

Undergraduate Programs
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