Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education


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About the Education Programs at Arcadia University


Arcadia University’s School of Education programs are guided by a core mission of fostering inclusion, equity, and social justice through teaching. Our professors are dedicated to designing meaningful and rich courses grounded in this mission and connected to essential fieldwork which is carefully mentored by classroom teachers, professors, and supervisors.  Students learn how to problem solve, innovate, and design culturally sustaining curricula through using design-thinking and inquiry practices in a STEM-centered learning environment.

At the end of undergraduate studies, our candidates will have the skills needed to design meaningful and rich learning opportunities for prek-12 students and have a sophisticated understanding of 21st Century teaching and learning.

Our graduates have received regional and statewide recognition for the work they do after graduation. Graduates of Arcadia’s Education program are currently employed or have been employed across the nation and in international locations.

Degree and Certification Programs

Bachelor of Arts with major in PreK-4

Bachelor of Arts with major in PreK-4/Special Education PreK-12

Bachelor of Arts with major in Education Studies

5 year programs: M.Ed with concentrations in Literacy Studies: TESOL and Reading; Secondary Education; Special Education; and an Individualized concentration

Minors in Education: Secondary Education, Education Studies

PA Teacher Certification Preparation Programs: Art K-12, PreK-4, PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-8, Secondary Areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, General Science, Mathematics and Social Studies 

Requirements for All Undergraduate Teacher Certification Preparation Program Candidates


Admission 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all candidates interested in obtaining teacher certification must meet certain prerequisite requirements before they can enter a program leading to teacher certification. All Arcadia undergraduates seeking certification must apply during the spring semester of their sophomore year.

Transfer Students Admission All transfer students above the level of a first-semester sophomore must apply for admission to the teacher certification preparation program concurrently with admission to the university.

 

Undergraduate  Teacher Certification Preparation Program Entry Requirements:

  • Recommended minimum overall GPA of 3.0 at the time of application.
  • No grade of “C or below” in a required certification course.
  • Completed and earned grades of C or better in 6 credits in Mathematics above the MA 100   level (recommended: MA 117   and MA 118  ).
  • Completed and earned grades of C or better in 6 credits in English. One course in Composition (EN 101  ) and one course in American/English Literature (recommended EN 229  ).
  • Completed 48 credits.
  • Meets Basic Skills testing requirements with qualifying scores and/or ACT/SAT qualifying scores.
  • Background Checks: Meets background check requirements using the Castle Branch System for
  •       Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
  •       Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
  •       Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
  •       Tuberculosis (TB) test result

Background Checks Policy

School of Education Background Checks policy requires all undergraduate students enrolled in Education courses that require fieldwork submit updated  background check documents (listed below) annually to the School of Education (by July 1st), via its online platform, Castle Branch.  

  1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record (Act 34),
  2. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151),
  3. Federal Criminal History Background Check (FBI/fingerprint check) (Act 114), and
  4. P.P.D. (TB) Test (School Health regulations, 28 PA Code, Section 23.44).
  5. Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (Act 126)* (renewal required every 5 years)
  6. Request to Release information (FERPA)
  7. School of Education Fieldwork Placement Informed Consent Form
  8. All students are additionally required to report any infractions incurred between renewals. Any student enrolled in Education courses or an Education program who commits a reportable offense listed in Section 111 (e) of PA Act 24, is required to complete and return an Arrest/Conviction PDE form-6004 to the School of Education, Office of Field Experiences and Outreach (Taylor Hall, Room 203) within 72 hours of any arrest or conviction.

For full information on background checks, see the School of Education website.

Undergraduate courses exempt from background check requirement are: ED 110 ED 203 , ED249, ED262, ED 263 , ED299, ED 360   and ED 463  .

Undergraduate Teacher Certification Preparation Program Exit Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all required coursework for the bachelor’s degree and GPA requirement specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (3.0 GPA).
  2. Satisfactory completion of student teaching (“B” or better) in the area of certification and the PDE 430 performance-based assessment rating form. 
  3. Completion of a professional electronic portfolio.

Pathways to Study Abroad in Education


It is important that students plan for study abroad, they should consult with their Education advisers as soon as possible. 

Programs and Courses


The School of Education offers the following programs and courses for undergraduate study.

Programs

    MajorCombined ProgramMinorCertificateOther Programs

    Courses

      Education

      Background Checks Required for Students in Undergraduate Education Courses and Programs

      Background Checks Policy

      School of Education Background Checks policy requires all undergraduate students enrolled in Education courses that require fieldwork submit updated  background checks documents (listed below) annually to the School of Education (by July 1st), via its online platform, Castle Branch.  

      1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record (Act 34),
      2. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151),
      3. Federal Criminal History Background Check (FBI/fingerprint check) (Act 114), and
      4. P.P.D. (TB) Test (School Health regulations, 28 PA Code, Section 23.44).
      5. Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (Act 126)* (renewal required every 5 years)
      6. Request to Release information (FERPA)
      7. School of Education Fieldwork Placement Informed Consent Form

      All students are additionally required to report any infractions incurred between renewals. Any student enrolled in Education courses or an Education program who commits a reportable offense listed in Section 111 (e) of PA Act 24, is required to complete and return an Arrest/Conviction PDE form-6004 to the School of Education, Office of Field Experiences and Outreach (Taylor Hall room 203) within 72 hours of any arrest or conviction. 

      For full information for clearances,see the School of Education website.

      Students registering for Education courses

      All students registering for undergraduate Education courses submit required background checks to the School of Education prior to the first day of class*. Students who do not are required to drop the course prior to the end of drop/add period.

      Undergraduate courses exempt from clearance requirements are: 

      ED 110 , ED 203 ED 262 ED 263 ED 360  and ED 463 .

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