Business Education (B.S.Ed.)

Because of new Pennsylvania requirements that all business education and technology teachers need certification in Business, Computer and Information Technology (BCIT) in middle schools and high schools, Bloomsburg University grads have a virtually 100 percent job placement rate and many get multiple job offers before they graduate.

BU's fully accredited program leads to certification for grades K-12 and blends the strengths of the university's well-established teacher education programs with its commitment to an array of programs involving new technologies.

With over 75 years of excellence in business education, the business education program of study has been a long-standing and integral part of the College of Business at Bloomsburg University.

The education program is fully accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and BU's College of Business is a recipient of the coveted accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, ranking Bloomsburg among the best business colleges in the world.

Since its inception in 1930, the business education program at Bloomsburg University has maintained its excellent reputation in teacher preparation within Pennsylvania and other states. The program's 4,000 alumni promote the ideals of educating students for success in business and life.

Graduates of the business education program have specialized knowledge and skills to prepare them for positions teaching business, computers and information technology at the K-12 educational levels, as training managers for business and government, and for teaching in proprietary business schools. Graduates may also serve as coaches and advisors to student organizations and are prepared for graduate study in business, education or related fields.

As part of their business education program at Bloomsburg University, students complete coursework in the business core, professional education and general education.

Among the courses you'll take that apply to general education requirements are composition, public speaking, economics, business and economics statistics, general psychology, exceptionalities, matrix algebra and calculus. Business core courses include several in accounting plus management, corporate finance, marketing principles and practice, and law and legal environment.

Specialized courses for BCIT certification include general business, information and technology management, telecommunications, networking design and administration, computer software, business communications and report writing.

Finally, as a future teacher, you'll take courses in child psychology, principles of teaching, instructional strategies and assessment, clinical studies in BCIT, psychological foundations of education and a course relating to diversity and education.

The culminating experience is a 16 week student teaching placement in conjunction with a related class taught on campus. BU maintains relationships with school districts within 50 miles of the university and you'll work directly with a mentor and a school system (which will definitely not be one you attended as a high school student.)

To be certified to teach in Pennsylvania, you'll also have to pass PRAXIS exams in general knowledge and the business computer and information technology specialty and obtain the criminal and child abuse background clearances required of all potential teachers. Pennsylvania maintains relationships with a number of other states that recognizes the validity of a teaching degree and opens the door for you to work most anywhere in the United States.

Most business education majors have contract offers before they graduate both as a result of student teaching and an annual education job fair held at BU that draws school districts from across the United States.

The 123-credit hour program can be completed in as little as three years but most students reach their degree in eight semesters.

The program is administered and advised by the Department of Business Education and Information and Technology Management within the College of Business and leads to PA certification (#61-1603) in Business, Computer and Information Technology K-12. The program is fully accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Department faculty actively participate in professional development and regularly engage in scholarly activities appropriate to their specialties. Members are involved in providing service to the university, community and professional organizations.

Active student organizations include a chapter of Pi Omega Pi, the National Business Teacher Education Honor Society; and a campus chapter of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.