The B.S. in EDUCATION in EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES is a professional degree program designed to prepare certified secondary school teachers with an overall science exposure and specialization in the earth and space sciences. The program meets all guidelines established by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and the National Science Teachers' Association (NSTA) for earth and space science certification.
CAREER and JOB OUTLOOK (www.bls.gov)
Middle school teachers and secondary school teachers help students delve more deeply into subjects introduced in elementary school and expose them to more information about the world. Middle and secondary school teachers specialize in a specific subject, such as English, Spanish, mathematics, history, or biology. They also may teach subjects that are career oriented. Vocational education teachers, also referred to as career and technical or career-technology teachers, instruct and train students to work in a wide variety of fields, such as healthcare, business, auto repair, communications, and, increasingly, technology. They often teach courses that are in high demand by area employers, who may provide input into the curriculum and offer internships to students. Many vocational teachers play an active role in building and overseeing these partnerships. Additional responsibilities of middle and secondary school teachers may include career guidance and job placement, as well as follow-ups with students after graduation.
In addition to conducting classroom activities, teachers oversee study halls and homerooms, supervise extracurricular activities, and accompany students on field trips. They may identify students with physical or mental problems and refer the students to the proper authorities. Secondary school teachers occasionally assist students in choosing courses, colleges, and careers. Teachers also participate in education conferences and workshops.
Employment of preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers is projected to grow about as fast as average. Job prospects are expected to be favorable, with particularly good prospects for teachers in high-demand fields like math, science, and bilingual education, or in less desirable urban or rural school districts.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
(125 semester hours)
Completion of all General Educaqtion Requirements (48 semester hours)
(All students seeking a B.S.Ed. must formally apply for admission to teacher education. Only those students formally admitted to teacher education will be eligible to enroll in SCE/SCB 350. Once admitted to teacher education, students must maintain the minimum GPA specified by the College of Education in order to continue taking advanced professional course work. If a student falls below the minimum GPA, he or she will be permitted to retake - in accordance with University policy - professional course work that contributed to the fall below the minimum GPA but will not be permitted to take additional work until the minimum is met.)
1. Secondary education requirements (35 semester hours)
EDF 300; EDP 250; EDA 103, 303; EDR 347; LAN/ENG 382; EDS 306; SCE or
(125 semester hours)
All students seeking a B.S.Ed. must formally apply for admission to teacher education. (See the "Teaching Certification Programs" section of this catalog for an explanation of related requirements.) Only those students formally admitted to teacher education will be eligible to enroll in SCE/SCB 350. Once admitted to teacher education, students must maintain the minimum GPA specified by the College of Education in order to continue taking advanced professional course work. If a student falls below the minimum GPA, he or she will be permitted to retake - in accordance with University policy - professional course work that contributed to the fall below the minimum GPA but will not be permitted to take additional work until the minimum is met.
1. Secondary education requirements (35 semester hours)
EDF 300; EDP 250; EDA 103, 303; EDR 347; LAN/ENG 382; EDS 306; SCE or SCB 350; EDS 411 and 412
2. Additional math requirements (3 semester hours)
MAT 105 or 110
3. Additional science cognates (3 semester hours)
BIO 110 (or BIO 100 with a grade of A- or better)
4. Core requirements (30 semester hours)
ESS 101, 204, 201, 301, 302, 331, 343, 405,
420, and 450
5. Additional requirements (10 semester hours)
ESS 111, 330, 347, 370
6. Students may obtain additional certification in
general science and/or environmental education
in addition to earth and space science. SCB 350; EDS 411 and 412
2. Additional math requirements (3 semester hours)
MAT 105 or 110
3. Additional science cognates (3 semester hours)
BIO 110 (or BIO 100 with a grade of A- or better)
4. Core requirements (30 semester hours)
ESS 101, 204, 201, 301, 302, 331, 343, 405,
420, and 450
5. Additional requirements (10 semester hours)
ESS 111, 330, 347, 370
6. Students may obtain additional certification in
general science and/or environmental education
in addition to earth and space science. See
page 158-160 for requirements.