The Education Department is committed to preparing outstanding graduates empowered as decision-makers and reflective practitioners. These individuals shall have the knowledge and skills necessary to take their places in society as professional educators, capable of meeting the needs of a diverse population in our rapidly changing society. The overall mission of the department is to develop educators who have mastered both general knowledge and specialized training, including a recognized body of knowledge in professional content and pedagogy, and a successful integration of technology into day-to-day instructional practices. Individuals will demonstrate an internalized standard of excellence, will be prepared to meet professional employment requirements, and will be ready to assume responsibility for the exercise of professional judgment and for continued professional growth.
The experienced faculty of the Education Department at Clarion is committed to students and to the profession of teaching. Serving as academic advisors, faculty members encourage and help individual students attain their professional teaching goals. Small, student-centered classes and a variety of field experiences are offered in five specialized curricula in professional education:
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modern languages, and
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secondary education.
Each curriculum is designed to meet the graduation requirements of the university, the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the accreditation standards of professional groups such as the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Pre-K-Grade 4 (Early Childhood)
The Pre-K–4 (Early Childhood) Education Program provides candidates with multiple opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become effective decision makers in a multicultural society. In a sequential format, early childhood candidates are inducted into the education core, proceed with a series of pre-methods courses, and engage in a sequence of field experiences that begin in the first semester of the program.
General Education
The early childhood major should fulfill the general education requirements of the university.
Professional Competencies
General education courses may be used to meet the following content competencies required for certification in Pennsylvania: literature and language, mathematics, and English.
Professional Education Courses
The following courses are required of all Pre-K–4 (Early Childhood) education majors:
Pre-K–4 ECH Core (18 credits):
ED 121; ECH 231, 235, 236, 245, 260.
Special Education Core (9 credits):
SPED 418, 442, 443.
Pre-K - K Block (18 credits):
Must be taken concurrently. ECH 301, 310, 322, 323, 325, 413.
Grades 1-4 Block (15 credits):
Must be taken concurrently. ECH 414, 415, 416, 418; ED 417.
Student Teaching (12 credits):
ECH 424, 425.
Middle-Level Education (Grades 4-8)
Teacher candidates pursue an academic program that includes general education courses, professional education courses, and an area of concentration, i.e. English language and reading, mathematics, science, or social studies.
General Education
The mid-level education major should fulfill the general education requirements of the university.
Education Core:
ED 110, 122, EDML 322, 324, 325,332, 333; ED 350, 417.
Special Education Core:
SPED 418, 441, 442.
Student Teaching (12 credits):
EDML 424, 425.
Middle-Level Specialization (30 credits)
English/Language-Reading Concentration:
ENG 199, 207, 242, 262, 263, 297, 339, 350, 470, 482; EDML 332, 333.
Content Competencies:
(ED 350; ENG 459, 462, 463, select one); SCED 205, (PHSC 111, 112; BIOL 111; ES 111, 140; NSCI 150, 151; select three); MATH 111, 211, 112, 113; HIST 120 or 121, 111 or 112 or 113; PS 211; GEOG 100.
Mathematics Concentration:
MATH 111, 211, 112, 171, 113 or 221 or 321, 212 or 357, 213 or 260 or 270, 214 or 340, 215 or 340, 454.
Required Content Competencies:
ED 122, 417, 350; NSCI 150, 151; SCED 205; PHSC 111, 112; BIOL 111, (ES 111, 140, select one),ENG 111, 263; HIST 120 or 121, 111 or 112 or 113; PS 211; GEOG 100.
Science Concentration:
BIOL 155, 165, 166, 202; CHEM 153, 163; ES 150, 280; PH 251, 252.
Content Competencies:
ED 122, 417, 350; ENG 111, 263, 463; EDML 332, 333; HIST 120 or 121, 111 or 112 or 113, PS 211; GEOG 100.
Social Studies Concentration:
HIST 120, 121, 111; ECION 211; PS 211; BIOL 476; BEOG 100; HIST 112, 113, 130, 131, 286; ANTH 211.
Content Competencies:
ED 122, 417, 350; NSCI 150, 151; SCED 205; PHSC 111, 112; BIOL 111; ES 111, 140 select one); ENG 111, 263; EDML 332, 333; MATH 111, 211, 112, 113.
Integrated Middle-Level Education (Grades 4-8):
Teacher candidates pursue an academic program that includes general education courses, professional education courses and an area of emphasis, i.e., English language-reading, mathematics, science, or social studies. This course of study is integrated with a master's in education with special education concentration. Please refer to the Clarion University Graduate Catalog for specific requirements at the graduate level.
Environmental Education
Sponsored by an interdisciplinary committee comprised of faculty from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Education, and Anthropology, Geography, and Earth Science, the certification in environmental education prepares teacher-educators to develop and implement in-school and outdoor education about the environment at both elementary and secondary levels. The Environmental Education Program is for non-degree certification only. It may be combined as a dual certification with one of the following areas: biology, earth and space science, chemistry, or general science. The total semester hours needed to complete a dual certification program varies. Graduate students in some areas may also complete, concurrent with their master's program, the certification program by selecting appropriate courses by advisement. Application for admission to the program is through the chair, College of Education and Human Services. Graduate application for admission is through Graduate Studies. The required courses in the non-degree, certification only, program are as follows:
Education (21 credits):
ED 110, 122, 225, 327, 329, 417, and SPED 418, 441, 442.
Science Foundations (31 credits):
BIOL 155, 165, 156, 166, CHEM 153, 163, 154, 164, PH 251, ES 150 and 280.
Education About the Environment Specialization (15 credits):
GEOG 115, ES 260, 270, BIOL 202, and SCED/BIOL 476/576.
Professional Core (15 credits):
ED 403, 424, and 426.
Math Proficiency (3 credits):
MATH 221.
Secondary Education
Baccalaureate programs leading to certification in secondary education (7-12) are available in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French (K-12), general science, mathematics, physics, social studies, and Spanish (K-12). Each program is designed to provide students with a thorough foundation in the teaching specialty and with the professional skills needed to work effectively with adolescents in a variety of learning environments.
General Education
Secondary education students fulfill the general education requirements of the University. However, within certain majors there may be slight deviations from the pattern presented, and secondary students should check with the departmental office of the discipline in which they are majoring to ascertain any variations. Two college-level English (composition/literature) and math courses are required.
Professional Education Core Requirements (36 credits):
ED 110, 122, 225, 327, 329, 350, ED xxx (Methods in specific discipline),
ED 417, 424, 425, and SPED 418, 441, 442.
Secondary Certification Specialization
Secondary education majors may choose areas of specialization from the following programs. A grade of C or better is required for each course in the major area of specialization.
Biology (36 semester hours)
Required Courses: BIOL 155, 165, 156, 166, 201, 202, 203, 382, 476, CHEM 154, 164, 251, 261.
Electives (two required): BIOL 341 and 405 recommended.
Prior to registration the student's advisor will approve courses taken as biology electives.
In meeting general education requirements, the distribution in natural sciences and mathematics may be met with supplemental courses from the field of specialization. It is recommended the quantitative reasoning requirement be met by MATH 221 and the mathematics competency be met by MATH 171 or higher. Students should note no more than one non-laboratory elective may be included in credits for the biology specialization. Proficiency in earth science, Physics I or II, also required.
Chemistry (40 semester hours)
Required: CHEM 151, 152, 161, 162, 251, 252, 257, 261, 262, 270, 271, 353, 354, 355, 358, 363, 364, 368, 456, and 470.
Additional Requirements: MATH 270, 271 and PH 251 or 252.
Students who have taken CHEM 153 and 154 may be permitted, upon consideration of their performance, to substitute these courses for CHEM 151 and 152. A total of 30 semester hours in chemistry must be taken. Competency in biology and earth science also required BIOL 476).
Earth Science (36 semester hours)
Required: ES 150, 200, 222, 250, 270, 280, 476
10 credits in one of two specializations: Geology: ES 255, 260, 355, 360, 370; Planetarium Management: ES 201, SCED 485, COOP 497
SECONDARY EDUCATION CORE (31 credits)
Required: ED 110, 122, 327, 329, 334, 418, 424, 425; SCED 499
Supplemental Courses: CHEM 154/164, four credits from biology, chemistry, or physics.
Proficiencies: CHEM 153/163, PH 251 or 252, BIOL 155/165.
English (42 semester hours)
Required: ENG 199, 221, 222, 225, 226, 227 or 228, 262, 263, 355, 459, 462 or 463.
Additional English requirements (nine credits):
One from: ENG 353, 457, 458, or 459.
Literature electives: six credits must be taken on the 300/400-course levels.
Non-print media competency is required.
Advanced writing competency is required.
French K-12 (33 semester hours)
Required (33 credits): FR 250 or 251 and 252, 265, 270, 281, 282, 301, 341, 342.
Supplemental Courses (six credits): ANTH 211 and ENG 457 or ENG 262.
Electives: Six credits to be approved by advisor (200-level above 252 and any 300-level French course excluding courses taught in English).
Students participating in foreign study programs must complete at least six hours of French literature at Clarion, regardless of the number of credits earned abroad.
General Science (36 semester hours)
A program specifically designed to prepare students to teach science at the junior high or middle school level. General science majors are not prepared to teach specialized high school courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science. Likewise, biology, chemistry, or physics majors are not prepared to teach general science unless their college program is broadened to include all of the required science courses of the general science curriculum Students who desire to teach only specialized courses should major in the specific subject area.
Required: BIOL 155, 165, 156, 166, 202, BIOL or ES 476 or CHEM 211, CHEM 153, 163, 154, 164, PH 251 or 252, ES 150, 200, 270, and 280.
Also Required: Proficiency in precalculus (MATH 171) and statistics (MATH 221 or 321).
Majors in general science should not include BIOL 111, MATH 112, PHSC 111, PHSC 112, and ES 111 in their general education programs. Only upon satisfactory completion of all basic courses in the general science curriculum will a biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science major be recommended for an Instructional I certificate in general science.
Mathematics (31-35 semester hours)
Required courses: MATH 270, 271, 272, 300, 321, 340, 357, 370, 390, 451, 49_, and MATH Elective (300-level or above).
Also Required: (6 credits) Junior High Strand: Math 111, 221 or Senior High Strand: Math elective (221, 285, above 300).
Electives: Prior to registration the student's advisor will approve courses taken as mathematics electives. Majors must select PH 258 and/or CHEM 151 or 152 instead of basic PHSC 111-112, which do not count toward graduation.
Concurrent certification in physics is possible with the election of PH 258, 268, 259, 269, 351, 352, 353, 354, 371, 372, 461. Students admitted into both programs should substitute ED 335 for 339.
Physics (38 semester hours)
Required: PH 258, 268, 259, 269, 351, 352, 353, 354, 371, 372, 461.
Electives: Electives (4) must be selected from; PH 301, 302, 355, 356, 357, 400, 455, 457, 460, 498, 499. Additional 12 credits in physics (300-level or higher).
Proficiencies in Other Related Areas: MATH 270, 271, 272, 350, CHEM 153, 163, BIOL 476 and ES.
Social Studies (42 semester hours)
Social Studies Specialization: History Concentration (24 credits)
Required: History Concentration (24 credits), Political Science (six credits), Geography (six credits), ECON 211, 212, ANTH 211, PSY 211, SOC 211. Non-western culture competency (three credits)
Spanish K-12 (33 semester hours)
Required (33 credits): SPAN 250 or 251 and 252, 265, 270, 280 or 281 and 282, 301, and 12 additional credits chosen from Spanish 353-499, excluding courses above and courses taught in English.
Supplemental Courses (6 credits): ANTH 211 and ENG 457 or ENG 262
Electives: Six credits to be approved by advisor. (200-level above 252 and any 300-level Spanish course)
Students participating in foreign study programs must complete at least six hours of Spanish or Spanish-American literature at Clarion, regardless of the number of credits earned abroad.
