Teaching Nursery school through grade 6 in the public and the private sector.

Students may also choose to operate preschools, work in Head Start classrooms and in executive offices, or work in therapeutic Support Services

Students who enroll in the Education program for Early Level Certification will be prepared to pass the PRAXIS exams successfully, complete requirements for certification for Pre K-4, and compete successfully for teaching positions. Drawing from the constructivist philosophies of Vygotsky, Bruner, and Piaget, as well as the perspectives of Maslow and Gardner, students will attain the target standards of excellence as identified by the Association of Childhood Education International. This professional preparation accompanies a liberal arts concentration that will provide the graduate with a broad foundation necessary for optimal teaching in grades Pre K-4.

Any transfer students or students who previously took courses at the College will have their files reviewed and will be required to enter or matriculate into the existing program (College Catalog 2010-2011) or the new program. They will not be permitted to follow a program of study that might have previously existed. Any students who are returning and who previously took education courses in any of the earlier education programs will be admitted to one of the new education              programs and must complete all of those requirements for graduation.

A middle-level program is currently under review by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  Interested students should check with their advisors.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ADMISSION
     All students interested in teacher certification will enter into the pre-education program until all requirements for admission into the department have been met. Upon admission, all pre-education majors must declare a concentration that includes English, General Science or History/Political Science. An advisor will be assigned to aid in the scheduling of the courses for these majors. The following requirements for academic preparation and performance must be successfully met prior to admission into the program and education major.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Earn a minimum of sixty (60) credits and have sophomore standing
• Complete six (6) hours in communication/writing (EN 110/111)
• Complete the Mount Aloysius College Foundation Course (CLS 101)
• Complete six (6) hours in college level mathematics (according to the  requirements of the second major)
• Pass PY 221 Educational Psychology and PY 204 Child Development and Adolescence with a “C+” or better
• Successfully pass the PRAXIS Core Battery tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, and the Fundamental Content Knowledge Exam
• Complete other courses as specified in the College Core Curriculum
• In compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education Guidelines meet a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
• Have current Act 34 and 151 Clearances and FBI Federal Criminal History Record (fingerprinting)
• Completed Health Appraisal including TB test

ADMISSION TO STUDENT TEACHING
All students will be charged a Student Teaching Fee. (Please see Tuition and Fees section.)

STUDENT TEACHING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A GPA of 3.0 or better
• Successful completion of all PRAXIS exams as listed above
• A grade of “C” or better in all education courses
• Student Teaching Application and Data Sheet
• An essay describing the student’s interest in and preparation for a career in teaching
• Successful completion of all required education courses at the completion of the junior year
• Successful completion of all field experiences

DEGREE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Praxis Exams
• A successful exit interview with College faculty and local school district administrators
• A portfolio that demonstrates that the student has met each of the learning principles identified in Chapter 354.33, Professional Competencies of the Pennsylvania Department of Education General Standards
• A satisfactory evaluation from the College supervisor on the state-wide  performance evaluation and inventory of student teachers (PDE 430)
• Successful completion of all student teaching assignments

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRAXIS EXAMS

• Praxis bulletins and test information can be obtained from any education faculty member.  Please see your advisor or any education faculty member for guidance and assistance regarding any facet of the PRAXIS exam.
• Students should carefully read the bulletin to avoid problems in registering for the test and to mark test dates so that tests can be completed as required for admission into the department.

NOTE:   Testing Centers might not offer all the tests for each testing date.  Regular testing is not available during the summer months.  While the  PPST can be taken more frequently via the computerized format, this does not apply to The Fundamental Content Knowledge Exam or  the Early Childhood or Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Exam.  Please read the Praxis Bulletin carefully and plan accordingly.

• Below is the timeline for completion of PRAXIS tests and the required passing scores in Pennsylvania:

        Sophomore, 1st Semester

            -have completed 45 credits by end of the semester
            -consider PRAXIS prep courses or practice tests
            -completed required rhetoric courses, math courses, PY 204, and PY221

        Sophomore, 2nd Semester

            -by end of the semester, have successfully completed PRAXIS Series I exams
              including
                PPST Reading - passing score 172
                PPST Writing - passing score 173
                PPST Math - passing score 173 and
                Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge - passing score 150
                                                                      OR
                 A composite score of 521 with PA Minimum State Score Requirements
                (see ETS PA State Standards (www.ets.org)
                PPST Reading - passing score 171
                PPST Writing - passing score 170
                PPST Math    - passing score 171
            -have completed sixty (60) credits with a 3.0 GPA

        Junior, 1st Semester
            -prior to the start of the semester, submit formal application to the Elementary Education/ Early
             Childhood  Education Office

        Junior, 2nd Semester
            -complete and submit student teaching application

        Senior, 1st Semester
            -take the Early Childhood Education Praxis Exam - passing score 530
            -apply for graduation

    
           Senior, 2nd Semester
             -complete final PRAXIS exams before end of student teaching:
                    Elementary Education:  Curriculum, Instruction, and
                    Assessment - passing score 168
            -submit certification form

Clearances
    The Education Department requires all students enrolled in a certification program to develop and maintain a sound professional record. Students applying to the Education Department must submit a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record, the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and the FBI Federal Criminal History Record (fingerprinting) for review.
    Copies of these reports will be kept on file in the department. If individuals have offenses on the report, they may not be allowed to participate in practicum experiences or student teaching depending upon the policy of the public school district with which the College has a working relation and to which they are assigned. This will mean they may not be able to complete a certification program and be recommended by the department’s certification officer for certification. If offenses show on these reports, students should see their Education department advisor to discuss their  situation and possibly consider other career options.

TRANSFER STUDENTS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
     All transfer students interested in Early Level certification are subject to all current requirements for entrance to, retention in, and completion of the Early Level certification program including the GPA requirements.

    Because of the integrated nature of our certification programs, many education credits completed elsewhere will not be transferable. The transfer of education credits will be evaluated individually to be sure they meet the dual standards as addressed in the education coursework at Mount Aloysius College. The transfer of field experiences will be evaluated individually.

STUDENT ADMISSION WITH COMPLETED BACHELOR DEGREES
    Students who desire Early Level certification and who already have a bachelor’s degree will be admitted into the program after having completed one semester in the pre-education program demonstrating through transfer or Mount Aloysius coursework successful completion of college level mathematics and communications courses. Applicant must pass the PRAXIS Core Battery tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics and Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge. Transfer students with bachelor degrees must complete all coursework as specified in the program.