Secondary Education, Minor, Grades 7-12 Certification

About the Minor

Arcadia University School of Education is a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved Teacher Certification Preparation program for the following secondary education certification areas: Biology, Chemistry, General Science, English, Mathematics and Social Studies.  Graduates are recommended by the University after meeting all requirements for the Instructional I Certificate.  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

• 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. See School of Education, Undergraduate Teacher Certification Preparation Program Entry Requirements.
• Content area courses required under PA Code, Chapter 354. 
• Courses with an asterisk (*) also meet an Undergraduate Curriculum requirement.