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2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Secondary Education Programs of Study for the Major and Minor Leading to Secondary Certification
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 Return to: School of Education
Secondary Education Programs of Study for the Major and Minor Leading to Secondary Certification
The mission of the Secondary Education Program is to develop competent educators with strong subject matter content preparation and authentic, clinical field experiences. This preparation will address the broad set of issues, knowledge, and competencies that are relevant to secondary school teaching and learning. The majors that can be prepared to teach include Biology, Chemistry, Earth& Environmental Science, English, Social Studies (via History and Political Science majors), Mathematics, Physics, and Spanish(K-12). The students must complete the major and may add either the Secondary Certification minor or the Secondary Education major. Equipped with this knowledge and these skills, the teaching candidates will enable their students in grades seven through twelve to achieve academic success.
The Wilkes University Department of Education offers programs leading to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) secondary (grades 7 - 12) certification in the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, General Science, Mathematics, Physics; Social Studies, and Spanish (a K-12 certification). Admission to Wilkes University is only the first step in gaining acceptance into the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Requirements for admission to the TEP are in compliance with the mandates of PDE. Students may choose to major or minor in Secondary Education; both the major and the minor lead to certification.
Beginning in 2015-2016, students may choose to pursue a major in Secondary Education, but it is important to note that the major in Secondary Education is not a stand-alone major. It must be taken in conjunction with one of the nine content area certification majors. English, History, Mathematics, and Spanish are the four content majors at Wilkes University that would readily accommodate the option for students to complete a Secondary Education major within an eight-semester time frame. The other five content majors-Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics, and Political Science-may not readily allow for completion of a major in Secondary Education within an eight-semester time frame. However, students in these five majors may choose to pursue a major in Secondary Education if they are willing to take coursework beyond the eight semesters. Students in all nine majors have the option of pursuing the minor in Secondary Education as well as Dual Certification in Special Education 7-12.
Directives for Gaining Admission to the Teacher Education Program to Pursue Secondary Education Certification
- Schedule a meeting the Secondary Education Program Advisor: Students should plan to meet with the Secondary Education Program advisor as early as possible in their matriculation at Wilkes to ensure completion of the certification program within four years. At that meeting, students will learn about the Education courses that will lead to certification.
- Study major area of study and declare the major or minor in Secondary Education: Students should begin their studies in an academic major related to certification and declare Secondary Education as a major or minor.
- Fulfill English and Mathematics Requirements: As required by the PDE, within the first 48 credit hours, students should complete the following courses: English - 7 credits to include ENG 101 - Composition and ENG 120 - Introduction to Literature and Culture and Mathematics - 6 credits.
- Complete ED 180 and earn a final grade of 2.5 or higher: There is no required GPA for ED 180 . A grade of 2.5 in ED 180 , as well as an overall GPA of 2.5, is required, however, to enroll in ED 190 and ED 191 .
- Comply with placement requirements and secure proper clearances.
- Apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program: During ED 190 , students must begin the application process for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Transfer students who transfer in ED 190 begin this process their first semester.
- Pass all modules of the Tests of Basic Skills.
- Achieve the required GPA: Students must earn a minimum of 2.5 in ED 180 , ED 190 , and ED 191 and achieve an overall GPA of 2.85 to enroll in 200-level education. Then, to enter 300-level courses, students must achieve a 3.0 GPA.
- Register for and pass PRAXIS II and if Dual certification Special Education is completed register for PRAXIS II Special Education Tests (2 tests- Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge and Core Knowledge & Applications): Preferably prior to student teaching or at the conclusion of formal studies in the chosen major field, or prior to student teaching, students should take the appropriate PRAXIS II examination. This is required for certification in Pennsylvania. Complete information about registration, test dates, study guides is available at http://www.ets.org/praxis; the Department also provides guidance, resources, and support.
- Self-monitor progress: Students are responsible to monitor their GPAs each semester; students will be dropped from course(s) if required GPA is not achieved or if all three tests of Basic Skills are not passed before enrolling in 300-level courses.
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The Secondary Education Major* and Minor
Candidates must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their secondary major courses and a cumulative 3.0 to remain in the Teacher Education Program.
The Secondary Education major and minor consists of the following courses:
Note:
Students must meet all the requirements for and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program to proceed to all 300 level Education courses.
Candidates must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their secondary major courses and a cumulative 3.0 to remain in the Teacher Education Program.
Other Recommended Courses for Secondary Education are
Secondary Methods
Secondary Methods course in the area of the major degree
Secondary Education Certification Requirements by Academic Majors
Biology:
Students seeking certification should follow the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) curriculum in Biology. The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Students seeking secondary certification in Biology are required to take the following courses in the major:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 371 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Chemistry:
Students seeking chemistry certification should follow the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) curriculum in Chemistry. The B.A.curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Students seeking secondary certification in Chemistry are required to take the following courses for the major:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 371 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Earth and Space Science or General Science:
Students seeking Earth and Space Science certification should follow the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) curriculum in Earth and Environmental Sciences. This curriculum emphasizes human interactions with the earth and environmental sciences while still requiring an extensive background in the sciences. The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Required science courses for the Earth and Space Science certification include the following courses for the major:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 371 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Optional course work for General Science certification
English:
The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Students seeking secondary certification in English are required to take the following courses for the major:
In addition, students must take courses in the following areas: major authors, period or movement, and genre and the required Education courses and ENG 393
Survey Courses
Three of four survey courses (it is recommended that students seeking certification take all four survey courses:
Mathematics:
Students seeking Mathematics certification should follow the Teacher Certification Track and elect to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The curriculum for either offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester.The requirements for each degree are found in this bulletin under the section for the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. Students seeking certification in Mathematics must take the following courses for the major:
In addition, students must take PSY 101 - General Psychology ) and the required Education courses and special methods course (MTH 303 , offered in odd years only) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Physics:
The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Students seeking secondary certification in Physics are required to take the following courses for the major:
Social Studies:
Students seeking Social Studies certification will major in either History or Political Science. The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking secondary certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester.
Students pursuing a History major and seeking secondary certification in Social Studies are required to take the following courses for the major:
The Following Courses are Also Required of History Majors for Social Studies Certification:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 381 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Political Science Major and Seeking Secondary Certification
Students pursuing a Political Science major and seeking secondary certification in Social Studies are required to take the following courses for the major:
The Following Courses are Also Required of Political Science Majors for Social Studies Certification:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 381 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
Spanish:
The B.A. curriculum offers flexibility so that students seeking PK-12 certification can include the professional semester of student teaching in the seventh or eighth semester. Students seeking PK-12 certification in Spanish must take the following courses for the major:
In addition, students must take the required Education courses and special methods course (ED 300 ) followed by student teaching as listed under Secondary Education Requirements.
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