Degree Requirements

Education Studies

Since 1904, Susquehanna University has prepared liberal arts students for teaching careers. In the teacher education program, students master professional knowledge and skills necessary for state certification and for developing successful and rewarding careers in education.

Upon completion of the education program, students will have learned to

• design instruction and prepare for all aspects of managing a classroom;
• instruct students and assess their learning;
• maintain a classroom environment that is welcoming, respectful and productive; and
• fulfill other professional responsibilities.

Elementary Education. The elementary education major at Susquehanna is called Liberal Studies. It combines courses in various disciplines with teacher-education courses. The Liberal Studies major includes student teaching. Liberal Studies students may add an Early Childhood emphasis to become certified in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education. See Course Requirements (below) for more information about adding Early Childhood Education to the Liberal Studies major.

New Early Childhood and Middle Grades Certifications. After August 31, 2013, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education will no longer issue the K-6 certification. In its place will be two new certifications: Early Childhood Education (pre-K—4) and Middle Grades Education (4 – 8). Elementary education students who enter SU's education program in August 2010 will choose one of these new certification programs.

Secondary Education. There is no major or minor in secondary education at Susquehanna. Students who earn certification in secondary education major in the subject they will teach. They earn a teaching credential by completing the teacher-education program, which includes student teaching in the spring semester of the senior year. Courses required for the secondary teacher-education program are listed below.

The Teacher Intern Program is a route to certification for those who have a bachelor's degree in an approved major. It is an option for students who do not complete certification requirements as undergraduates, including those who decide to pursue teaching late in their undergraduate program. For information about the program, contact the director of the Teacher Intern Program at the Susquehanna Education Department office or see the Education Department's Web site (www.susqu.edu/education/).

Majors at Susquehanna University that are approved for teaching certification:

(Some certifications, such as General Science, and some majors, such as biology, may require extra coursework because of state or university requirements.)

Certification Requirements. To qualify for teaching certification in Pennsylvania, students must complete a bachelor's degree in the appropriate major with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. They must also complete an accredited teacher education program such as that offered by Susquehanna University, and pass the PRAXIS tests required by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education (PDE). More detailed information about certification requirements are available from the Education Department and from the PDE Web site (http://www.pde.state.pa.us/).

Declaring Your Interest in Education. Students who wish to pursue early childhood, elementary, or secondary education certification should notify their academic advisors and the head of the Education Department when they make that decision. Those who wish to pursue a secondary education certification should also inform the Office of the Registrar by completing the "Declaration of Academic Program" form, available in that office. Students who wish to change to the liberal studies major must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, have completed EDUC 101 and 102 with a grade of B or higher, and must have the approval of the Education Department faculty.

Applying to the Teacher Education Program. PDE requires that education students apply and be admitted to a teacher education program before student teaching. The application packet is available through the Education Department's Web site and in the Education Department office in Seibert Hall. Students may apply for admission to the teacher education program as early as the spring semester of their sophomore year if all requirements have been met. Students must apply and be admitted no later than the second semester of their junior year.

Requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program

• completion of at least 48 credit hours of coursework, including

  3 semester hours of English composition;

  3 semester hours of English/American literature;

  6 semester hours of college-level mathematics;

• successful completion of EDUC:101 Introduction to Education and Society;
• a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a cumulative GPA of 2.8 and successful completion of Praxis I examinations;
• completion of one 40-hour externship (see below), with completed forms returned to the Education Department;
• current Act 34, Act 151 and Act 114 (FBI) clearances;
• two reference forms completed by Susquehanna University faculty; and
• a completed application form.

Externship. An externship consists of 40 hours in a school for observing and aiding in classrooms, staff interviews etc. Applicants must complete an externship prior to admission to the education program. Externship information and forms can be obtained from the Education Department office or the Education Department Web site.

Student Teaching. Student teaching usually occurs in the spring semester of the senior year. To participate in student teaching, students must already be admitted to the teacher education program. Students must also have current clearances through Act 34, Act 151 and Act 114. Student teachers must have completed all courses required for the major and all education courses except the student teaching block. Students should not take any additional courses during student teaching without written permission from the head of the Education Department.

Professional Conduct. The Education Department faculty reserves the right to make a judgment on the suitability of students for professional teaching practice. Practicum students (those in the schools observing and/or aiding a teacher) and student teachers must follow the policies of the host school district. Practicum students and student teachers are held to a professional standard of behavior as specified by the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators and will be removed from a school site by a building administrator for unprofessional conduct. A student asked to leave a school site will be assigned a grade by the Education Department faculty based on the work completed and evaluations from Susquehanna faculty and the host district.

Departmental Honors. Departmental honors may be awarded to liberal studies majors who meet the following criteria:

• overall GPA of 3.4, and GPA of 3.4 or higher in education courses;
• completion of elementary or early childhood program for graduation;
• submission of a formal application for honors to the education faculty by the second Friday of September of the senior academic year and before implementation of the research project;
• acceptance of the application by the education faculty committee;
• selection of an honors advisor from the education faculty;
• development, in consultation with the selected advisor, of a proposal to execute, interpret and report on the individual research project;
• approval by the education faculty committee of the project proposal;
• enrollment in EDUC:601 Independent Study (1–4 semester hours);
• completion of the research project and a public presentation of results;
• submission of a final written report on the project to the honors advisor on or before the last day of classes for the semester of graduation; and
• determination of honors status by the education faculty based on student performance.

Education Honor Society. Susquehanna University has a chapter of the international education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. Education students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher who qualify for admittance to the teacher education program will be invited to apply for membership.

Education Course Requirements

Elementary Education Course Requirements. Candidates for an elementary (K–6) or early childhood teaching certificate must complete university Central Curriculum requirements plus the following required courses for a B.A. in liberal studies.

semester hours

A concentration consists of at least 24 semester hours completed with a grade of C- or better, in a liberal arts major or interdisciplinary program. Courses levels in a concentration must be no lower than:

• two at the 100 level
• three at the 200 level
• one at the 300 level

Requirements for a minor are explained in the university catalog in the sections for each academic department. Students may also minor in interdisciplinary programs listed in the catalog.

Early Childhood Education Course Requirements. This program allows students in the elementary education program to obtain dual certification in elementary and early childhood education. To earn dual certification, students must complete the requirements listed above for elementary education, plus the following:

semester hours

Secondary Education (7–12) Course Requirements. Candidates for a secondary teaching credential must major in an approved subject, meet all of the university's requirements for a bachelor's degree in that subject (see that department's section of the catalog) and complete the required courses listed below. (Music education majors should consult the Department of Music requirements.) All courses required for secondary teacher certification must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

semester hours