Biology in Conjunction with the Secondary Education Major or Minor

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Students interested in becoming secondary teachers in Biology should make an appointment with the chairperson of the Education Department or the Coordinator of the Secondary Education Program as early as possible in their course of study to plan their professional studies. These students will declare a major in Biology and as well as a major or minor in Secondary Education. The major in Secondary Education must be taken in conjunction with an approved major; it is not a stand alone major. Upon successful completion of the secondary education program, students may become certified in Pennsylvania to teach in grades 7-12 in their chosen field.

Students interested in pursuing either the major or the minor in Secondary Education should refer to the Education Department section of this bulletin for complete details of the curriculum and other degree requirements. Students should also consult carefully with their Education program and Biology program advisors in planning their course of studies.

Total credits required for Secondary Education minor - 40
Total credits required for Secondary Education major - 47

Required Courses for the Major(*) or Minor in Secondary Education are as Follows:

ED 180 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
ED 190 - Effective Teaching with Field Experience Credits: 3
ED 191 - Integrating Technology into The Classroom Credits: 3
EDSP 210 - Teaching Students with Special Needs Credits: 3
ED 220 - Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3
EDSP 225 - Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities with Field Experience Credits: 3
ED 345 - Assessment in Education Credits: 3 *
ED 375 - Middle Level and Secondary Education Methods with Field Experience Credits: 4 *
ED 371 - Teaching Methods in Science with Field Experience Credits: 4
ED 380 - Content Area Literacy Credits: 3
EDSP 388 - Inclusionary Practices Credits: 3 (taken concurrently withED 390)
ED 390 - Student Teaching With Seminar [Pk-4], [4-8], [7-12], and [K-12] Credits: 12

NOTE:

*These additional courses required in order to complete the major in Secondary Education.

All Teacher Education candidates must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program in the sophomore or junior year.
To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program, candidates must
- Attain a 3.0 GPA
- Complete 48 credits including six credits in both Mathematics and English
- Pass a test of basic skills
- Submit required clearances showing ‘no record’
To remain in the Teacher Education Program, candidates must
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Adhere to the Code of Professionalism and Academic Honesty
To be certified as a teacher in Pennsylvania in grades7-12, candidates must
- Successfully complete all required Education courses, including student teaching
- Graduate with a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Pass the appropriate exit test(s) in their content area
- Apply for certification through the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)