Preschool to fourth grade are crucial years for children. You can be the teacher who inspires and guides them.
Our early childhood education program will grow your teaching skills with courses in education theory and practice. Study history, geography, science, math, language arts, literature and music—all subjects you'll incorporate in your classroom.
Add a certification in English as a second language (ESL) programming to make yourself even more marketable.
In your first weeks at Susquehanna, you'll have rich, real-world academic experiences in area classrooms—through classroom observations, one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction and more.
Our award-winning Global Opportunities program in Chester, England, gives you international classroom experience that will make your résumé shine.
You'll start your senior year of student teaching with more than 150 hours of classroom experience.
We've been training quality teachers since 1904. We know how to help you find a position out of the gate. Nearly all of our graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation.
Our graduates teach at all levels—from preschool to higher education—and all over the world.
We make sure you have the skill and cultural competence to work with students from all backgrounds, so you'll be comfortable in your classroom no matter where you land. Our interdisciplinary minors, like diversity studies and leadership, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
Please note: Elementary, K-12 and secondary education students are required to include the following courses in their certification program:
EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education (4 SH)
EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Students (4 SH)
EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction (4 SH)
The exception to this rule is that music education students must follow requirements of the music education curriculum, which may allocate this content to different courses. EDUC-290 will be taken in place of EDUC-270 by Elementary (ECE) students who elect to complete the Special Education Dual Certification.
Early Childhood (preK-4) Course Requirements. Candidates for an early childhood (preK-4) teaching certificate must complete university Central Curriculum requirements plus the following required courses for a Bachelor of Science in elementary education:
| Semester Hours | View Full Course Catalog >> |
|---|---|
12 Coursework required by PDE for admission to the teacher education program: |
|
3 semester hours of English composition 3 semester hours of English/American literature 6 semester hours of college-level mathematics (100 level or higher) (Please note that PDE's requirement for 2 semester hours of math beyond Susquehanna's Central Curriculum may be met by any math course that has a math prefix and a course number of 100 or higher. It may be taken at any accredited institution of higher education and does not have to be accepted by Susquehanna as a transfer course.) |
|
68 Education courses taken before student teaching: |
|
| 2 EDUC-101 Introduction to Education and Society | |
| 2 EDUC-102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education | |
| 4 EDUC-240 Cognition and Classroom Learning: Early Childhood | |
| 4 EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education | |
| 4 EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Children | |
| 4 EDUC-300 Arts in Education | |
| 4 EDUC-310 Math Methods: Pre-school | |
| 4 EDUC-311 Math Foundations: Primary Grades | |
| 4 EDUC-330 Technology in Education | |
| 4 EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction | |
| 4 EDUC-365 Pre-school Language and Emergent Literacy | |
| 4 EDUC-366 Primary Literacy Development | |
| 4 EDUC-367 Literacy Assessment and Interventions | |
| 4 EDUC-380 Instructional Design | |
| 2 EDUC-389 Assessment | |
| 4 EDUC-400 Social Studies Methods: Early Childhood | |
| 2 EDUC-410 Family and Community | |
| 4 EDUC-430 Science Methods: Early Childhood | |
| 4 EDUC-490 Pedagogy and Classroom Environment | |
16 Cognate courses (some may also satisfy university Central Curriculum requirements): |
|
| 4 PSYC-101 Principles of Psychology | |
| 4 PSYC-238 Developmental Psychology: Conception Through Childhood | |
| 4 INTD-320 The Sciences | |
4 United States History (HIST-111, HIST-112 or HIST-115) |
|
| 4 INTD-320 The Sciences | |
14 Student teaching courses taken during the spring semester of the senior year (students may not enroll in other courses during this semester without written permission from the head of the Department of Education): |
|
| 4 EDUC-501 Preparation and Planning | |
| 4 EDUC-502 Classroom Teaching | |
| 4 EDUC-503 Classroom Management | |
| 4 EDUC-600 Seminar |
Department: Education
Associate Professor of Education
mclaughlind@susqu.edu
570-372-4508
Department: Education
Associate Professor of Education
allisonv@susqu.edu
570-372-4240
Department: Education
Associate Professor of Education
mooresr@susqu.edu
570-372-4723
Department: Education
Visiting Assistant Professor Education
lomeli@susqu.edu
570-372-4738
Department: Education
Director of Teacher Interns and Auxiliary Programs
tiday@susqu.edu
570-372-4251
Teacher candidates possess a foundation in liberal arts that supports and enhances studies and experiences about educational theory, research, collaboration, reflection and professional development. Current trends, best practices and performance assessment are inherent in the program design. Academic standards of basic education, program licensure standards, performance standards and the code of professional conduct are embedded in regulation, educational research and professional practice. The Education Department encourages the on-going participation of the educational community in program planning and evaluation in support of the conceptual framework for teaching that includes preparation and planning, classroom environment, instruction and professional responsibilities.
In support of this we are committed to:
ESL Program Specialist Dual Certification
This four-course program consisting of LANG-360, EDUC-440, EDUC-441, and EDUC-442 is only open to students enrolled in an Education program. The program is most compatible with the program requirements of Early Childhood Education (ECE) majors, but it is also open to students pursuing a secondary education certification and to Music Education majors. Upon successful completion of the four courses and their integrated field experiences (60 hours), teacher candidates will be eligible for the dual certification and potential employment as ESL Program Specialists in PreK - 12 settings. The ESL program prepares teachers to address the learning needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) in inclusive settings, as well as to coach and support classroom teachers who are not similarly trained but have ELLs in their classrooms.
Students seeking the ESL Program Specialist certification are eligible to begin course work upon completion of prerequisite courses (EDUC-101, -102 and -350) and sophomore class standing. Students must earn an A- in EDUC-350 and must submit a program application available through the Education Department in order to enroll in ESL certification courses.
This four-course program consisting of EDUC-290, EDUC-320, EDUC-340, and EDUC-415 is only open to students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program. Students earning the Special Education certification complete EDUC-290 in place of EDUC-270.
Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood program, the four courses specific to the Special Education certification, and student teaching that includes a placement in a special education classroom, teacher candidates will be eligible to apply for the Special Education (PK-8) certification in addition to their Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) certification. Beyond the program requirements listed above, teacher candidates must pass the PECT PreK-4 and the PECT PreK-8 Special Education exams in order to be certified to teach in Pennsylvania. Successfully passing PECT exams are requirements for certification but not for graduation.
Students seeking the Special Education (PK-8) certification are eligible to begin course work upon completion of prerequisite courses (EDUC-101, 102, 240, and 260) and sophomore class standing. Students must have a minimum 3.33 (B+) cumulative GPA in their education courses or have permission from the department chair and must submit a program application available through the Education Department in order to enroll in the four courses specific to the program.
ESL and Special Education Certifications
With the English as a second language program specialist certification, you can gain the experience and expertise to support English language learners. The special education certification, available through Dec. 2021, will prepare you to work with students with special needs.
Susquehanna University has been selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide the Teacher Intern Program. This program invites holders of baccalaureate degrees to gain teaching certificates by completing professional education courses at an approved Pennsylvania college or university. Once accepted into the program, candidates may earn a salary and education credits while teaching under supervision.
Read More
David McLaughlin, department head
mclaughlind@susqu.edu
Sara Wenrich, education department coordinator
570-372-4236
wenrich@susqu.edu
