Education
Mission Statement
The College of Education affirms the mission statement of Eastern University with its commitment to teaching, research, faith, justice, schools and community. The College of Education at Eastern University seeks to develop individuals with a clear understanding of the University’s mission of faith, reason, and justice so that they are capable of:
- Improving the learning of all students;
- Pursuing educational equity and justice through creative solutions;
- Modeling Christian thought and action;
- Serving public and private institutions of learning as change agents.
The College meets the needs of its students to assume positions in this society through both undergraduate and graduate programs.
The Programs
The Undergraduate Studies in the College of Education offers certification in Early Childhood Education (PK-4); Early Childhood Studies (PK-4); Middle Level (4th to 8th Grade); and Special Education (PK-12). Students may also acquire Secondary Education certification, which requires students to complete a major in the specific content area of certification along with the required Secondary Education Major courses. World Language Certification (PK-12) is available in Spanish. ESL (PK-12) certification can be added to Early Childhood, Middle Level, Secondary Education or Language Certification and PK-12 Special Education.
The student who seeks certification is responsible for completing the approved course of study and must be recommended by the College of Education to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This recommendation will be based upon the student’s adherence to the standards of conduct of Eastern University, as well as upon the student’s successful completion of academic requirements and required certification tests.
The following additional certifications are offered at the graduate level: Principal (PK-12), School Nurse (PK-12), Reading Specialist (PK-12), School Counseling, School Psychology, Supervisor (PK-12), Supervisor of Special Education (PK-12).
Formal Application to the Education Department
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has established requirements for certification to teach in Pennsylvania. Students who wish to declare Education as their major may do so at the completion of 48 credits and have a 3.0 gpa or higher. Students can declare a major in Early Childhood Studies at any time since the major does not lead to a certification.
Students who wish to declare Education as a major must complete a Major Declaration card (available on the Registrar’s webpage, Form). Those who intend to be certified in the secondary education major must also major in an academic subject certifiable by Eastern University (Biology, Chemistry, English, History, and, Math). Admission to the department does not guarantee acceptance into student teaching since there are additional requirements needed (see Student Teaching Handbook for further details).
Formal Application for Student Teaching
Students who wish to be certified as undergraduates must formally apply for student teaching. To formally apply, students must show evidence of:
- Successful completion of two (2) 3-credit English courses (must be 1 writing and 1 literature) and two (2) 3-credit math courses (any MATH prefix) with a passing grade. A grade of a C is required for ENGL 102 College Writing per University GE requirements.
- Successful completion of 2 (3 credits each) math courses (recommended MATH 107 Mathematical Perspectives for Educators and MATH 220 Elementary Statistics.
- All EDUC courses must be passed with grades of C or better
- All coursework must be completed prior to student teaching coursework (EDUC 410 Student Teaching/EDUC 420 Seminar in Student Teaching).
- Required cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
Students must submit to the department a formal student teaching application (available on our website) December 15th-January 15th for the following Fall and Spring semester.
Field Experience Placements
Field experience placements for EDUC 406 Teaching Secondary Education Math and Science With Field Experience (110 Hrs), EDUC 407 Teaching Secondary Education English and Social Studies With Field Experience (110 Hours), and EDUC 408 Education Seminar With Field Experience are arranged by the Coordinator of Field Experiences. Students are not to solicit placements for this course. For other courses requiring field experience hours, the Coordinator of Field Experiences can arrange placements, however, for these courses students are permitted to solicit their own placements in their home districts over the fall and spring breaks and between semesters.
While student needs are considered in assigning placements, no particular placement can be guaranteed. Transportation to and from field placements is the responsibility of the individual student. Students must have their criminal clearances (Act 34 Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record Report, Act 114 Federal Criminal History Report, and Act 151 Child Abuse Report) and TB testing results by the first day of class.
Mandatory Clearances for Observations
All students are required to pay for and use a professional service that collects and reviews important documents and records. This service not only stores documents confidentially (FERPA compliant) but allows Eastern University Field Placement and Student Teaching coordinators electronic access to review documents. Go to the Eastern University Student Teaching Web page to find forms and student teaching procedures.
Students enrolled in a class requiring observation or working with students in any way must first pay for and use the College’s professional service to collect and review important documents. The service will give students instructions about what clearances and other documentation is needed. Please enroll in the professional documents service and begin applying for clearances through this service 60 days before expecting to observe to allow ample time to process the application. Clearances are valid for one year.
- Act 34 State Criminal History Clearance
- Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance
- Act 114 FBI Criminal History Clearance
- TB Test done within the last 9 months.
- Professional Liability Insurance
- The Major for the B.S. in Early Childhood Studies
- The Major for the B.S. in Early Childhood Education
- Special Education Certification (PK-12)
- The Major for the B.S. in Special Education
- The Major for the B.S. in Middle Level Education
- Certifications
- Secondary Education Major (7-12th Grade)
- Additional Courses Required for PDE Certification
- Major Related Secondary Education Requirements
- Additional Courses Required for PDE Certification
The Major for the B.S. in Early Childhood Studies
The BS in Early Childhood Studies is designed to help working adults expand career opportunities in the child care field with options for certification from PK to 4th grade. Early Childhood Studies does not include student teaching, so no certification is earned during the program. However, the degree does allow students to work toward their certification after graduation.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 205 | The Developing Child: PK to 4 | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 212 | Teaching English As a Second Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 231 | Technology in the Classroom,Computers in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 240 | Early Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| EDUC 306 | Science and Health for Children | 3 |
| EDUC 308 | Teaching Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC 310 | Math for the Teacher of Children | 3 |
| EDUC 328 | Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC 380 | Teaching Communication Arts | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Education Seminar With Field Experience | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
The Major for the B.S. in Early Childhood Education
Those desiring to teach PK-4th Grade should select this major. Certification courses for special education or ESL can be combined with the major in Early Childhood. All required courses are listed below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 205 | The Developing Child: PK to 4 | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 212 | Teaching English As a Second Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 240 | Early Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| EDUC 282 | Methods of Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUC 306 | Science and Health for Children | 3 |
| EDUC 308 | Teaching Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC 310 | Math for the Teacher of Children | 3 |
| EDUC 328 | Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC 380 | Teaching Communication Arts | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Education Seminar With Field Experience | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 420 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 63 | |
Special Education Certification (PK-12)
The Special Education certification requires all of the courses listed below:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 385 | Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| EDUC 386 | Autistic Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| EDUC 389 | Early Intervention and Transition Planning | 3 |
| EDUC 402 | Reading and Learning Differences | 3 |
| EDUC 403 | Reading and Writing Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Teaching Techniques for Low Incidence Learners | 3 |
The Major for the B.S. in Special Education
Those desiring to teach Special Education should PK-12 select this major. All required courses are listed below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 212 | Teaching English As a Second Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 240 | Early Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| EDUC 385 | Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
| EDUC 386 | Autistic Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| EDUC 389 | Early Intervention and Transition Planning | 3 |
| EDUC 402 | Reading and Learning Differences | 3 |
| EDUC 403 | Reading and Writing Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Teaching Techniques for Low Incidence Learners | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Education Seminar With Field Experience | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 420 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
The Major for the B.S. in Middle Level Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 212 | Teaching English As a Second Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 282 | Methods of Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUC 306 | Science and Health for Children 1 | 3 |
| or EDUC 310 | Math for the Teacher of Children | |
| EDUC 308 | Teaching Social Studies 1 | 3 |
| or EDUC 380 | Teaching Communication Arts | |
| EDUC 403 | Reading and Writing Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Education Seminar With Field Experience | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 420 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 51 | |
- 1
Middle Level Option for Mathematics and Science Concentration requires EDUC 306 Science and Health for Children and EDUC 310 Math for the Teacher of Children (not EDUC 308 Teaching Social Studies or EDUC 380 Teaching Communication Arts).
Certifications
Certification will require students to finish a concentration and focus areas outside the Middle Level Education major. Contact the College of Education for specific course requirements in each option.
Option One: Concentration in One Content Area
This option requires one concentration (English/Reading or Math or Science or Social Studies) and three generalist (focus) academic content areas.
Option Two: Concentration in Two Content Areas
This option requires concentration in two content areas and two generalist (focus) academic content areas: English/Reading and Mathematics, English/Reading and Science, Science and Mathematics, Social Studies and Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
Secondary Education Major (7-12th Grade)
This major can only be elected as a second major. Students elect a major in an academic area certifiable by Eastern University. The degree which they receive (B.A. or B.S.) will be determined by their academic major. Areas of certification include: Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Education Courses | ||
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 212 | Teaching English As a Second Language Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 282 | Methods of Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUC 403 | Reading and Writing Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 406 | Teaching Secondary Education Math and Science With Field Experience (110 Hrs) | 3 |
| or EDUC 407 | Teaching Secondary Education English and Social Studies With Field Experience (110 Hours) | |
| EDUC 410 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 420 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Additional Courses Required for PDE Certification
- Successful completion of 2 (3 credits each) English courses (1 writing and 1 literature) with minimum grades of C or better
- Successful completion of 2 (3 credits each) math courses (recommended MATH 107 Mathematical Perspectives for Educators and MATH 220 Elementary Statistics.
- Successful completion of 3 credit US History Course (recommended HIST 201 U.S. Survey to 1877 or HIST 202 U.S. Survey Since 1877)
Major Related Secondary Education Requirements
Biology
Students desiring secondary certification in biology should complete the Secondary Education courses and the academic major requirements as listed in this catalog with the additional courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH | Elective course at the college-level | 3 |
Chemistry
Students desiring secondary certification in chemistry should complete the Secondary Education courses and the academic major requirements as listed in this catalog with the additional course:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 304 | Chemistry Laboratory Management | 1 |
English
Students who wish to be certified in English must add the following courses to their academic major, along with the Secondary Education courses:
English (Literature) Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 220 | The Art of Film | 3 |
| ENGL 236 | Young Adult Literature | 3 |
| LANG 310 | Linguistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
English Writing Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 220 | The Art of Film | 3 |
| ENGL 236 | Young Adult Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 206 | Survey of British Literature II | 3 |
| LANG 310 | Linguistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Recommended:
ENGL 250 Writing Assistant Training Seminar
Social Studies
A student may be certified to teach social studies (psychology and sociology in addition to all citizenship courses) with a major in history by completing the Secondary Education courses and the History major requirements as listed in this catalog with the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 201 | World Geography | 3 |
| ECON 203 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| POLI 103 | American Government | 3 |
| PSYC 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or SOCI 100 | Introduction to Sociology | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
World Language Certification (PK-12)
Certification to teach World Language (PK-12) requires a World Language major. Students must declare the major and complete the requirements listed below. See Languages in this catalog. Consult with the head of the language department.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| LANG 350 | The Teaching of World Languages and ESL,The Teaching of Modern Languages | 3 |
| EDUC 403 | Reading and Writing Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Education Seminar With Field Experience | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 417 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EDUC 420 | Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Additional Courses Required for PDE Certification
- Successful completion of 2 (3 credits each) English courses (1 writing and 1 literature) with minimum grades of C or better for English writing.
- Successful completion of 2 (3 credits each) math courses (recommended MATH 107 Mathematical Perspectives for Educators and MATH 220 Elementary Statistics.
Four- or Five-Year Combined B.S./M.ED. in Curriculum and Instruction (With a PK-4, Middle-Level, Secondary Focus), Multicultural Education, Reading, Special Education and TESOL
These four- or five-year combined programs are designed for Eastern undergraduate students who are in either teaching certification or Early Childhood Studies programs. To apply for this program, students must have a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 grade-point average. All graduate application procedures must be complete before an admissions decision will be made. The initial registration for the graduate year is processed through the Graduate Admissions Office.
The Minor in Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction: Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 204W | Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDUC 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 234 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Selecte one of the following: | 3 | |
| Assessment and Evaluation | ||
| Methods of Classroom Management | ||
| Early Childhood Education | ||
| Teaching Communication Arts | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |