Apr 29, 2024  
2016-17 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-17 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Secondary Education, Minor, Grades 7-12 Certification


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Arcadia University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to certify students in the following six secondary education areas: Biology, Chemistry, General Science, English, Mathematics and Social Studies. Prospective secondary education teachers must complete requirements in their respective disciplinary major—Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics or Social Studies (History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology majors).

In addition, candidates for certification complete coursework in the Professional Education Core designed to prepare students to teach in grades 7-12. This constitutes a minor in Secondary Education. Advisers in the respective liberal arts and sciences departments will guide the student in the selection of disciplinary content courses, while secondary education faculty guide the student through the certification and Professional Education Core requirements. It is essential that all students pursuing certification in Secondary Education declare Secondary Education as a minor. Forms to declare a minor can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.

Students interested in secondary certification should consult with their disciplinary adviser and their education adviser as early as possible, preferably freshman year. All Arcadia undergraduates seeking certification apply into the certification program during the spring semester of their sophomore year. See the section outlining the application process for all certification candidates.

Requirements for Secondary Education Minor with Certification in Grades 7-12


The following Professional Education courses are required for Secondary Education certification. Courses with an asterisk (*) are courses that apply to the Arcadia University Undergraduate Curriculum  requirements:

Eight courses (22 credits)


Student Teaching


Additional courses required by PDE


(PA Code, Chapter 354)

At least one course in Written Communication


One course in American/English Literature


Two Mathematics courses


Complete a full day field pre-student teaching experience the semester prior to student teaching.


Suggested Course Sequence


The following courses should be taken in the following sequence. Required Professional Education courses that also meet the Arcadia University Undergraduate Curriculum requirements are noted with an asterisk (*).

Freshman Year


One course in Mathematics *

Any one of the following is recommended for majors who do not have a mathematics requirement.

Sophomore Year


Note:

By the end of the Spring Semester, certification program candidates will submit the following requirements as part of their application to the Secondary Education Programs:

  • Qualifying scores from PAPA, CORE SAT and/or ACT tests.
  • GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Clearances: PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse, FBI clearances, TB Test results, and Arrest/Conviction report. 

Acceptance to the program is required in order to continue to take 300 and above level professional education courses. 

Note:

Certification program candidates also should complete the PAPA tests by the end of the sophomore year and submit passing scores when applying into the School of Education teacher certification program (GPA of 3.0 required).

Junior Year


Spring

  • ED 375S Managing an Inclusive Classroom (Note: ED375 has a required lab: ED375L)
  • ED 315S Differentiated Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms 
Note:

In the spring semester, candidates for certification must Obtain Student Teaching Information from the Office of School and Community Collaborations (Taylor Hall, Room 101).

Senior Year


Fall

Complete Pre-Student teaching Full day field Experience (Fieldwork one school day a week)

Note:

In the fall semester, candidates for certification must:

  • Complete Student Teaching application and submit by early September.
  • Have minimum GPA of 3.0 required for admission.
  • Make sure all clearances are current and valid.
Spring

Requirements for All Certification Undergraduate Program Candidates


Note: All undergraduates seeking PA Certification must meet the same requirements for admission, testing, and exit . Please see the School of Education  section of the catalog for more information.

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