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Education Secondary Grades 7-12

  • Certificate
A female math education major works on a math problem at a white board

Prepare for Teaching Excellence

2024-2025 Best Colleges of Distinction badge designed with a blue background and flame icon.Welcome to the Department of Education at Saint Vincent College, where we prepare future secondary educators (grades 7-12) to excel in their teaching fields by combining academic rigor with extensive hands-on experience. Secondary education students major in their chosen content area while receiving specialized training in pedagogy that leads to a degree and a Pennsylvania teacher education certification. Learn more about earning a degree in education at Saint Vincent College, including information about our unique field experiences.  

Students enrolled in the secondary education program will complete coursework to earn a degree and teaching certification in any of the following content areas:

Biology
Chemistry
English
Mathematics
Physics
Social Studies

Related minors:

Disability Studies with PK-12 Special Education Certification
Children’s Studies

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

Careers After Saint Vincent

A Saint Vincent College education degree equips graduates for diverse careers. Many become high school teachers, while others work in special education. Leadership roles in administration, curriculum development, and instructional coaching are also options. Skills gained—communication, organization, critical thinking, and adaptability—are valuable in educational technology, museum education, corporate training, and nonprofit work. This degree prepares graduates to make a lasting impact in secondary education and beyond.

Our students have earned positions in public school districts, Catholic schools, and independent schools across the commonwealth and US. Alumni will go on to successful careers as:

  • Middle or high school teachers
  • Middle or high school instructional coach
  • Curriculum developer
  • Educational consultant 
  • Corporate trainer
  • Museum educator
  • Nonprofit program coordinator
  • Writer educational publishing

Student Success Stories

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    Allyson Frank, C’24

    "My time in the Saint Vincent College Education Department has provided me with exceptional opportunities to develop into the educator I am today and to continue to grow professionally.  The boundless opportunities have provided me with practical experience and research that I can seamlessly integrate into my classroom." 

    Mathematics Teacher

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    Marisa Pecora, C’17 M’18

    "My education at Saint Vincent College has impacted my own career as an educator through the countless valuable learning experiences and professors who have played a vital role in the person and teacher I am today. An aspect that I pride myself on regarding my instructional methodology is my overall knowledge of my students. For the entirety of the school year, I make a personal and professional choice to get to know each one of my students so that everyone feels seen, valued, and respected in my classroom. Establishing positive and valuable relationships with my students that lead to both personal & academic growth is something that I want them to reflect on after they have left Norwin High School.” 

    English Teacher

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    David Rahaman, C’24

    “At Saint Vincent College, I was more than just a number. The professors were nurturing, supportive, and always there to guide me, even when I was far from home. They gave me the confidence to lead a classroom and believe in myself, shaping me into the teacher I am today.” 

    English Teacher

Curriculum Requirements

The secondary education program is part of the  Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.

  • Required Courses

    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. Click on the program area links above for major requirements.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Education also requires all education certification students to have a minimum of six credits in English (one composition fulfilled by Core 1500 and one literature), and six credits in college mathematics (100-level or above). ED 142 Mathematics for Teachers and ED 155 Geometric and Measurement Theory will meet the six-credit requirement. ED 142 also fulfills core curriculum requirements.

    Courses in psychology (3 credits)

    • PY 214 Adolescent Development

    Courses in basic pedagogy (24 credits)

    • ED 100 Foundations of Education (Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.)
    • ED 115 Educational Psychology
    • ED 205 Strategies and Techniques of Instruction
    • ED 208 Classroom Partnerships and Inclusion
    • ED 220 Reading, Writing, and Differentiation in the Content Areas (Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements.)
    • ED 290 Psychology/Education of the Exceptional Student
    • ED 300 - 306 Teaching in the Content Area
    • ED 381 Educational Testing
    • ED 390 Promoting Youth Cultural Competence and Diversity

    Field experiences (16-17 credits)

    • ED 103 Field Experience I: 7-12  (ED 207 may be substituted for ED 103.)
    • ED 206 Field Experience II: Strategies and Techniques of Instruction
    • ED 322 Field Experience III: K-12 and Secondary Instruction and Theory
    • ED 400 Field Experience IV: Pre-Student Teaching Practicum
    • ED-401 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar
    • ED 410 Field Experience V: Student Teaching Internship
    • ED 411 Professional Seminar
  • Key Courses

    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.

    Reading, Writing, and Differentiation in the Content Areas: This course explores strategies for integrating reading and writing into various content areas to enhance student learning and comprehension. Emphasizing differentiated instruction, participants will learn to tailor lessons to meet the diverse needs of all learners while fostering engagement and academic success.

    Promoting Youth Culture Competence and Diversity: This course examines communication challenges across cultures, focusing on second language learning and teaching, and provides training in instructional approaches for non-native speakers and incorporates the Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE) guidelines as outlined by Pennsylvania, ensuring that future educators are equipped to create inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive learning environments.

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.

Education Technology Lab

The Education Technology Lab is a dynamic hub designed to prepare future educators for the modern classroom. Featuring state-of-the-art tools such as a Promethean Board, telepresence robots, and iPads, the lab enables students to engage with cutting-edge educational technology. The Promethean Board, telepresence robots, and iPads collectively enhance interactive learning, remote collaboration, and digital literacy, equipping education majors with the skills and confidence to effectively incorporate technology into diverse learning settings.

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 aligned 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