Teacher education programs at BU
Historically a leader in the preparation of future teachers, Bloomsburg's nationally-accredited education programs offer a wide array of options for specialized training as well as continuing programs for education professionals.
Bloomsburg University graduates are actively recruited annually by more than 120 public and private school systems and through certification agreements are eligible to teach in 45 states.
Emily Kinkead
Emily Kinkead, a junior majoring in Political Science and Marine Biology, is a graduate of Red River High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, whose family recently moved to Williamsport. Originally interested in marine biology, she's become a political activist and president of Democracy Matters, a campus organization encouraging political involvement and especially voting. Her career objective: work for Common Cause, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen's lobbying organization promoting open, honest and accountable government. She chose BU because of the strength of its academic programs.
Bloomsburg's basic undergraduate degree programs, leading to a bachelor of science in education and certification, include:
Early Childhood Education (nursery/kindergarten-third grade)
Elementary Education (kindergarten-sixth grade)
Secondary Education (seventh-twelfth grades)
Special Education (nursery-twelfth grade)
BU students may opt for College of Professional Studies combinations that include a dual major in early childhood and elementary education and a dual major in special education and elementary education with an additional option in education of the deaf/hard of hearing.
For students interested in teaching in secondary schools, Bloomsburg offers specializations in:
Biology
Chemistry
Citizenship (History)
Communications - Applied
Communication - Interpersonal
Communication - Leadership
Earth and Space Science
English
French
General Science
German
Mathematics
Physics
Spanish
BU also offers a bachelor of science in education program in Business Education through the College of Business and a program in music education (leading to K-12 certification) through the College of Liberal Arts.
While students are admitted to their intended major to get started, state law mandates that they be considered "pre-teacher education" until preliminary requirements are met. These requirements include 48 credits of college work including two math and two composition/literature courses, an overall GPA of 3.0, recommendations from faculty, Act 34 (Criminal) and Act 151 (Child Abuse) background checks and satisfactory scores on pre-professional skills in reading, writing and mathematics (PRAXIS exams). With these requirements in mind, BU students get close guidance from university advisers.
Bloomsburg continues to serve the teaching profession with graduate programs and supervisory certificate programs. Graduate studies leads to degrees in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Reading.