Program Courses
The Education Department offers programs for undergraduates seeking to be dual-certified in Elementary/Special Education or Secondary Education. A non-degree certification program is available for students seeking a career in teaching and who hold a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited four-year college or university. The Department also offers a Master of Education degree, a Master of Education degree with concentrations in Leadership and Reading, Principal Certification, Special Education Supervisory Certification, Reading Specialist Certification, and Superintendent/IU Executive Director Letter of Eligibility Certification. For further information on graduate programs please contact Graduate Education Programs at (800) 457-6300.
Course descriptions are available to view for all EDUC undergraduate level courses. Listed below are the discipline courses required for education majors:
Travel to Scotland and earn 3 credits as an elective in Education.
The Education Department offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Special Education, with dual certification in elementary (kindergarten through 6th grade) and special education (mentally/physically handicapped students in kindergarten through 12th grade). This 128-credit program can be completed in four years.
- Education 101, 210, 212, 223, 231, 301, 302, 324, 332, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 409, and 417.
Collateral Requirements
Geography 201; History 103 and 104; Physical Science 101; it is recommended that Mathematics 105 and 106 be taken prior to EDUC 301.
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Students seeking secondary teaching certification must complete a single or multi-discipline major approved by the department chair of those disciplines and by the chair of the Education Department.
Students seeking secondary teaching certification may choose from the following academic areas of certification:
- Chemistry
- English
- French
- Citizenship Education
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Psychology BS
- Psychology BA
- Sociology
- Spanish
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Students holding a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited four-year institution may take courses at Saint Francis University to receive their education certification, providing that they meet the Education Department's program admission standards. Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.
Application to Non-degree certification program:
1. The applicant must submit a written request to the Saint Francis Univeristy Education Department asking review of his/her transcripts for non-degree certification in a particular area(s).
2. Official transcript must be sent directly from the institution attended. (Applicant copies will not be accepted.) Transcripts should be sent to:
Education Department Chair
Saint Francis University
PO Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940
3. Once the request transcripts have been received, the Education Department willevaluate the transcripts and send the applicant a letter listing the course requirements to obtain the certification.
Certification:
An applicant for a teaching certificate must complete, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of teacher preparation approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Certification programs offered by Saint Francis University have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Education Department may permit a student to complete a degree in Educaiton without seeking a Pennsylvania teaching certificate.
State-Mandated Testing Program:
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that individuals seeking an Instructional I certificate pass the Praxis exams. Teacher candidates must pass all required Praxis tests in order to become certified. All applicants seeking multiple areas of certification must meet the qualifying score for each area of endorsement sought. All examination costs will be borne by the students.
Students admitted to the non-degree certification program will be required to pass the first three Praxis exams in mathematics, reading and writing during the first term of their enrollment in the program.
Register online to take the Praxis exams at www.ets.org/praxis
Field Experiences:
All Education students seeking teacher certification are afforded opportunities for field service experiences working with secondary learners in a classroom or agency settings. Emphasis is placed on linking theory and practice in secondary classrooms, where students may apply their learning. Students are given opportunities to work with special needs student in the least restrictive environment, and to learn appropriate strategies for teaching strategies for teaching a diverse population of students.
Field service opportunities include: classroom observation and project assignments, volunteer service experiences, and a full semester of student teaching. Each student is required to complete a minimum of 35 hours of clinical experience prior to student teaching.
Clinical experiences are under the supervision of the University faculty supervisors, in partnership with the cooperating school districts’ teachers and administrators. Transportation for clinical field experiences and student teaching is the responsibility of each student.
Clearances:
As of April 1, 2007, ALL students who will be participating in a student teaching experience or completing clinical experience hours in a school district or facility MUST have the following three clearances and TB test: Federal Criminal History Record, PA State Criminal History (Act 34), and PA Child Abuse History. NO student teaching or clinical hours will be assigned without these clearances and TB test on file in the Education Office. The student is also responsible for providing the school district where clinical experience, or student teaching takes place, the original federal and state clearances.
Students must apply to this non-degree certification program and be accepted prior to course registration.
Course Requirements for Non-Degree Programs for Teacher Certification:
Special Education
Elementary/Special Education
Secondary Biology
Secondary Chemistry
Secondary English
Secondary Foreign Language (French or Spanish)
Secondary General Science
Secondary Math
Secondary Citizenship Education
Secondary Social Sciences (Sociology background)
Secondary Social Sciences (Psychology background)