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 Early Childhood/Elementary Education program will be prepared to pass the Praxis exams successfully, complete requirements for certification in early childhood and elementary education, 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 major that will provide the graduate with a broad foundation necessary for optimal teaching in the early childhood and elementary grades.

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 second major that includes English, General Science, History/Political Science, or Professional Studies: Math, Science, and Technology. 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 Admissions 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

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.

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 Elementary Teacher/Early Childhood certification are subject to all current requirements for entrance to, retention in, and completion of the Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education 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 Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education 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.