About the Major
In keeping with the Wilson College mission as an independent liberal arts college, the Department of Teacher Education enhances those qualities that result from a liberal education by linking strong academic content with best educational theory, research, and practice
In preparing successful candidates for Pennsylvania K-12 certification, our Department of Teacher Education faculty not only builds close communities of students through collaborative learning in small classes but also builds partnerships with school communities through collegial dialogue, staff development opportunities, and interactive field experiences. We provide thorough, individualized advising to accommodate the diverse needs of students from the undergraduate program and the Teacher Intern Program. The Teacher Education program serves as a resource for both the college community and the community at large to model innovative educational practices that result in the highest standards of teaching.
Wilson College has received accreditation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to offer course work leading to teaching certification in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) and in Secondary Education (7-12) in the field of Biology, Chemistry, English, Foreign Language – Spanish (K-12), Social Studies and Mathematics. The major in Early Childhood Education leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Secondary Education certification is awarded in addition to the bachelor’s degree in the appropriate subject area.
The programs are designed to develop professional competence through integration of theory, observation, practice, and clinical experience. Early Childhood Education majors choose courses across a wide range of disciplines that provide the broad knowledge base required for elementary classroom teaching. A minor is recommended in one of the required disciplines, i.e., Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, or Spanish. Secondary Education students fulfill the course requirements for the major in the chosen area of secondary certification.
Department of Education
Announces Teaching Projections
The total number of elementary and secondary teachers is projected to increase 14% between 2010 and2021.
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In public schools: 15%
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In private schools: 3%
The projected number of new teacher hires is projected to increase from 2010 to 2021 in both elementary and secondary schools;
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In public schools 28%(384,000)
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In private schools 4%(87,000)
Local School Districts Hiring!
Data requested and collected by the Wilson College Education Department indicates approximately 250 (11/12) and 315 (12/13) new teachers were hired in the following counties: Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton and Washington (MD).
Minors
Required Education Courses for Secondary Education Certification
EDU 206 Educational Psychology
EDU 207 Adolescent Development/Cognition/Learning
EDU 215 Educaton for Students with Special Needs
EDU 341 Educational Assessment
EDU 312 Teaching English Language Learners
EDU 332 Teaching Secondary Methods
EDU 348 Pre-Practicum
EDU 430 Special Needs Seminar
EDU 431-35 Secondary Student Teaching Practicum (3 course credits)
Secondary Certification Areas
In addition to completing the courses above, each student must fulfill the requirements for one of the following subject areas of secondary certification:
Biology:
A major in Biology, which must include:
BIO 208
CHM 310
BIO 314 or ENV 204
Chemistry:
A major in Chemistry
English:
A major in English, which is fulfilled by taking the following:
ENG 210, 224, 230, 299, 311
MCM 105 or 210 and MCM 110
Six electives; must include a minimum of FOUR courses in Literature; two in American, one in British, and one in European translation. Two of the electives may be in writing courses. At least TWO electives must be at the 300-level.
Mathematics:
A major in mathematics to include:
MAT 306 Geometry
MAT 308 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Social Studies:
A major with a concentration in History, Political Science, Business and Economics, or International Studies, which must include the following courses:
Economics 101, 102
Geography 102 or 201
History 112, 124, 125
Political Science 110, 120, 225
Sociology 110, 225
Spanish:
A major in Spanish, which must include:
SPN 209, 210, 220, and 221
And, in addition:
ENG 311
SOC 110
Technology Education Workshop
Required Pre-Service Field Experience
Upon enrolling in the teacher education curriculum, a student begins a program of field experiences designed to integrate theory and practice. The first component, executed through education course requirements, is a sequence of structured classroom observations in local schools. Clearances are required for observations.
The second component is a supervised full-time, 150-hour pre-practicum in a local school. Typically, the pre-practicum is completed one day per week over fourteen weeks during the spring semester of the junior year or the fall semester of the senior year. Students must plan for transportation to and from the practicum site.
The culminating component is a full-time, off-campus, semester-long Student Teaching Practicum, which occurs in the senior year. This clinical experience approximates an actual teaching position and provides a thorough test of professional readiness for classroom teaching. All education courses should be completed prior to the Student Teaching Practicum. The practicum and attendant seminar constitute a full load. Students may not schedule additional courses during this semester.Placements are made within the Wilson College service area and are supervised by Wilson faculty. Students must plan for transportation to and from the practicum site.
Admission
Students considering a major in Early Childhood Education or one of the Secondary Education certification programs must apply for admission to the Education Program before the end of the spring semester of their sophomore year.
Admission Procedures
Students seeking admission to the Education Program must make an appointment with one of the Education faculty to discuss the program and application process.
Students must have achieved the following:
* A cumulative GPA of 3.0.
* A GPA of 3.0 in education courses.
* A passing score on PAPA Exams (Reading, Writing, Mathematics).
Students must also complete an application file, which shall contain:
* An application form
* Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member at Wilson College
* Wilson transcript (unofficial copy from Registrar's Office to the Education Department)
* 500-word essay on "Why I want to become a teacher."
Candidates will then be interviewed by Education faculty.
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to be eligible for certification.
Certification
Candidates for certification must pass all required PECT/PRAXIS tests. Adjustments can be made to accommodate the requirements of other states except those which require a year of graduate study.
The Pennsylvania certificate is also valid in 46 states with which interstate agreements exist. An Instructional Level I certificate is valid for six years of service, during which time the following requirements must be completed: an approved induction program, 24 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from a state approved, four-year degree-granting institution, and three years of satisfactory full-time service under contract in Pennsylvania. A person then qualifies for Level II certification. Once a student has attained initial certification, s/he must adhere to Pennsylvania’s Act 48, which requires all teachers to complete six credit hours or 180 clock hours of professional development every five years in order to retain a valid certificate. This applies to both Instructional I and Instructional IIcertificates.