Social Sciences/Human Services Division

This program is designed to prepare the student to enter a baccalaureate program in Elementary Education/Secondary Education on the junior level. Most four-year education programs require that students be accepted for candidacy before they take any courses in the education department. The requirement for candidacy is approximately 45-48 credits. It is the responsibility of students to check with the receiving (transfer) institution and with their faculty advisor to identify the requirements for the receiving institution.

Most institutions, however, have similar requirements. In order to be eligible for candidacy most schools require the following:

• A grade of “C” or better in the following general education requirements:
  • Six credits of English Composition (COM 121 , COM 131 )
  • Six credits of Mathematics (MAT 150 , MAT 155 )
  • Three credits of Speech (COM 151 )

Students must pass the PAPA exam (www.pa.nesinc.com). Additionally, students must earn a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.0. These requirements should be completed as close as possible to the minimum 45 credits so that when students apply for candidacy at their receiving institution, they will be accepted immediately and will be eligible to register for the school’s education courses.

Early Childhood Teaching (PreK-Grade 4)

If you are pursuing a career in teaching grades K-3, refer to the Early Childhood Teaching (PreK-Grade 4), AAS  curriculum.

Elementary Education (Grades 4-8)

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

• Describe the multidimensional aspects of classroom teaching in public and private school systems.
• Analyze and relate historical, social, economic and philosophic bases for current practice and trends in education.
• Cite Pennsylvania teaching certification requirements for chosen areas of certification.
• Use Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) standards for beginning teachers to begin to develop a standards-based portfolio.
• Apply knowledge of the teaching/learning process.
• Evaluate the influences of cultural diversity on teachers, students and school systems.
• Analyze the impact of a variety of learning styles for teachers, students and school systems.
• Describe the impact of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for teachers, students, parents and school systems.
• Apply knowledge of child development including meeting the unique needs of students in planning for instruction.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in group and individual situations.
• Transfer to an accredited college or university in education.