Secondary Education (BSED)
Teacher education is a traditional cornerstone of Bloomsburg University. For more than a century, BU has been bringing talented and well-trained individuals into classrooms across the nation. Facilities are modern and up-to-date technologies are available, including a course in educational computing. A state-of-the-art computer laboratory enables students to learn current advances in computer-assisted instruction.
Related
Degree requirements - Chemistry
Degree requirements - Citizenship
Degree requirements - Earth & Space
Degree requirements - Interpersonal Comm.
Degree requirements - Leadership Comm.
Degree requirements - Mathematics
The State Board of Education adopted changes that affect all of Pennsylvania's instructional and educational specialist programs by adding 9 credits or 270 hours or equivalent combination for adaptations and accommodations for diverse students in an inclusive setting and 3 credits or 90 hours or equivalent combination to meet the instructional needs of English Language Learners. Although these regulatory changes became effective on September 22, 2007, the PA Department of Education has not yet developed final requirements for colleges/universities to follow. Therefore, additional program requirements will be developed and incorporated into your certification program to comply with new regulations for certifying teachers that become effective on January 1, 2013.
The teacher education program at Bloomsburg University is committed to improving the field of education through a comprehensive program, which recognizes its unique contribution to society, both as a reflection of that society and as an agent for the improvement of society. To meet this obligation, the programs draw upon the knowledge and understanding of general as well as professional education. It strives for a blend in preparing a person to fulfill a role in society as an informed, inquiring and skilled professional.
Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.)
The major in secondary education leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education and certification to teach grades 7 through 12. To prepare you for certification, you'll take professional education courses relating to teaching and, depending on the specialty area you're interested in, courses in how to teach specific subjects. Students are required to spend time observing and assisting in actual classroom settings through two field studies courses offered in the sophomore and junior years. These courses prepare students for the actual student teaching experience. Students may select an internship which provides a work-study program in an education-related setting. Professional development school opportunities are also available for students.
Areas of Specialization in Secondary Education - Each area of specialization develops scholarship basic to teaching the content subject. Courses you'll take depend entirely on what specialty you're in, but the course load is similar to dual majoring. Each area of specialization develops scholarship basic to teaching the content subject in secondary schools and course requirements and each area of specialization will meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for certification. Specialization areas and secondary education degree requirements for each include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Citizenship (History)
- Communications - Applied
- Communication - Interpersonal
- Communication - Leadership
- Earth and Space Science
- English
- French
- General Science
- German
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Spanish
Business Education (B.S.Ed.)
Graduates of the business education curriculum have specialized knowledge and skills to prepare them for positions in secondary teaching, as training managers for business and government, and for teaching in proprietary business schools. They are also prepared for graduate study in business education or related fields and 100 percent of graduates find appropriate employment.
As part of their business education program at Bloomsburg, students obtain a business and technology background in addition to instructional strategies. Upon completion of 48 or more semester hours, all business education majors must apply for acceptance into teacher education. As a culminating activity, students spend a full semester teaching in a secondary school.
Housed in the College of Business, the Department of Business Education and Office Information Systems curriculum is recognized by the National Association for Business Teacher Education.
Music Education (B.A.)
The department of Music, as one of its several concentration tracks, offers a program in music education leading to certification to teach grades K-12.
Students with a concentration in Music Education Certification K-12 will:
- comprehend the principles of music theory and display aural acuity
- understand the historical period contribution to music in both cultural and artistic context
- participate in ensembles
- meet the performance requirements of applied study
- apply voice, strings, brass, percussion and woodwinds pedagogical methodologies
- display functional keyboard skills
- develop a music curriculum including strategies for diverse learners
- conducts choral and instrumental ensembles
- present a recital
- use music technology
- compose and critique
- write daily lesson plans and thematic units in preparation for the teaching profession
Special Education (B.S.Ed)
The program in special education leads to certification for teachers to teach special education (N-12). Students may also acquire a concentration in education of the deaf/hard of hearing.
Factors suggesting the potential for success at Bloomsburg include knowledge and application of professional standards in teaching students with disabilities, the ability to support diversity and differences, strong task commitment, effectiveness and the ability to accommodate individual needs. Most recent placement statistics average between 98 and 100 percent.
After the completion of specified coursework, a semester of student teaching occurs. Students enrolled in special education have the opportunity to student teach in the following settings: public schools, intermediate units, approved private schools, preschools, state centers, adjudicated environments and hospitals. Special education student teaching assignments are located within seven select counties in this region. Intensive pre-student teaching experiences are also available through professional development schools.
Bloomsburg's program faculty, among the largest in Pennsylvania, displays a broad spectrum of specializations that provide students with a thorough and diverse learning environment. Faculty specializations include technology, early intervention, mild disabilities, the moderate/sever disabilities, behavioral disorders, leadership, assessment, transition, language, methodology and school partnership.
Area of Concentration in Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Special education students may choose to take an area of concentration in education of the deaf/hard of hearing. The undergraduate curriculum in education of the deaf/hard of hearing lays the foundation for the training and education needed to prepare classroom teachers and itinerant hearing therapists to work in educational settings with deaf/hard of hearing children and adults. Students supplement the curriculum for their majors with an area of concentration in education of the deaf/hard of hearing that requires a minimum of 24 semester hours.
Certification to teach deaf/hard of hearing students in school programs is granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education upon completion of a related graduate program.
All applicants to the graduate program in Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing must have completed a specific set of undergraduate courses. Students without an education background will need to take five education courses agreed upon by the curriculum coordinator in education of the deaf/hard of hearing.
Graduate Programs
Bloomsburg offers an array of graduate programs in education including:
- Business Education (M.Ed.)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M.S.)
- Early Childhood Education (M.S.)
- Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (M.S.)
- Elementary Education (M.Ed.)
- Exceptionalities (M.S.)
- Instructional Technology (M.S.)
- Reading (M.Ed.)
- Special Education (M.S.)
- Supervisory Certificate Programs