Bachelor of Science in Education -- Elementary Education

This program is designed to provide a broad education, an understanding of children, and the knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach all aspects of the elementary school program. Graduates qualify for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate for teaching kindergarten through grade six. The program includes field experiences and a full semester of student teaching during the senior year. These experiences are usually undertaken in public schools in the greater Philadelphia area. Students have opportunities to work in urban, rural, and suburban settings.

Admission to the Elementary Education Major

Students may seek initial admission into the university as an elementary education major, either as a freshman or as an external transfer student. Students may also seek admission into the major as an internal transfer after completing 27 credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.65 for students with 27-47 credits and 2.80 for students with 48 or more credits. Students with 60+ credits must have a 2.8 GPA, passing PPST scores (reading, writing, math), six earned credits in college level English & Literature and six earned credits in college level Mathematics. If admission availability is limited, applicants will be ranked by cumulative GPA, and selection will be based on those rankings.

Degree Requirements for Dual Certification Elementary/Early Childhood (129 credits):
  The Advising Guide for Dual Certification in Elementary/Early Childhood

Degree Requirements for Dual Certification Elementary/Special Education (132 credits):
  The Advising Guide for Dual Certification in Elementary/Special Education

Possible Minor Fields of Study for Elementary Education Majors

Students may choose a minor field of study, using 15 hours of electives to fulfill minor course work. Typically, a minor requires 18-21 semester hours as specified by the department offering the minor. A minor in a particular curricular area (English, mathematics, social studies, science) will help prepare candidates for middle level certification. Minors can be completed in related teaching areas such as: early childhood and special education.

Elementary Education Minor

The Elementary Education minor is available for students majoring in other education programs who wish to deepen and broaden their skills in working with children, for students who meet children in group settings inside and outside of the classroom, and for students who wish to learn about the development and education of children. Students must meet the same requirements for entry into the major to be admitted into the minor. There are six courses required for the minor: EDE 251, EDR/EDE 302, EDR/EDE 311, EDE 401, EDE 406 and a program elective approved by an advisor.

Formal Admission to Teacher Education

All students who enter the university as elementary education majors are designated probationary teacher education students until they achieve formal admission to Teacher Education. Undergraduates may apply for Admission to Teacher Education upon completion of 48 credits; they are expected to have applied for Admission by the time they have completed 63 credits of coursework. Minimum criteria for admission are a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80 and passing scores on the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) which includes Reading (10710), Math (10730) and Writing (20730); 6 earned credits in college level English and Literature; 6 earned credits in college level Mathematics, and twenty hours of preapproved, unpaid community service. Students file formal admission papers with the Teacher Education Center in the F.H.Green Library.

Only students admitted to Teacher Education will have achieved full admission status; only these students will be able to enroll in advanced professional educational coursework. For elementary education majors, the advanced professional education coursework includes: EDE 332, EDE 352, EDE 401, EDE 406, EDR/EDE 312, SCE 310, HEA 301, and MAT 351. Students admitted to Teacher Education must maintain a minimum of 2.8 GPA in order to continue enrollment in advanced professional coursework. If a student falls below the minimum 2.8 GPA, s/he will be permitted to retake – in accordance with University policy – professional coursework that contributed to the fall below the minimum GPA but will not be permitted to take additional work until the minimum is met.