Secondary Education Certification
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 510 | Teacher- School and Community | 3 credits |
| PSED 516 | Learner & the Learning Process | 3 credits |
| PSED 524 | Teaching English Language Learners in the Diverse Classroom Setting | 3 credits |
| REED 528 | Teaching Content Area Reading to Diverse Learners | 3 credits |
| SPED 550 | Nature and Needs of Exceptional Individuals | 3 credits |
| SPED 551 | Inclusionary 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 506 | Teaching of English in the Secondary Schools | 3 credits |
| PSED 517 | Teaching of Foreign Language | 3 credits |
| PSED 520 | Seminar Secondary Education I | 3 credits |
| PSED 521 | Seminar Secondary Education II | 3 credits |
| PSED 536 | Teaching of Mathematics in the Secondary Schools | 3 credits |
| PSED 546 | Teaching of Science in the Secondary Schools | 3 credits |
| | OR | |
| PSED 566 | Teaching 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.