Dual Certification (B.S.Ed.)
Early Childhood and Elementary Education (N-K-3/K-6)
Administered by Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Effective Fall 2009
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.
Requirements for Certification in Early Childhood Education (N-K-3) and Elementary Education (K-6) develop knowledge of the nature of the child, the nature of the school and center, the learning process, general methods of teaching and methods of teaching particular subjects and to provide student teaching experience. A total of 65 semester hours is taken in required courses. None may be taken on a pass/fail basis. An area of concentration is optional. No free electives are available for this program. In addition to the 120-credit requirement for a Bloomsburg University degree, education majors are subject to background checks and passage of Praxis exams.
General Education Requirements
Among 50-53 credits of general education requirements some courses are specifically required. At most, one course which an individual uses to satisfy specific requirements in communication, quantitative/analytical reasoning or values/ethics may be used to satisfy distribution requirements. See your adviser.
- Nine credits of communication, including 20.101 and 20.201
- 25.103 Public Speaking or 25.104 Interpersonal Communication
- 45.211 Sociology or 46.200 Anthropology
- 48.101 General Psychology
- 48.211 Child Psychology
- 53.201 Theory of Arithmetic
- 54.103 Physical Science or see your adviser
- 70.101 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities
- Any other math course
- Any biology course
Professional Education Courses
- 60.204 Educational Computing and Technology
- 60.251 Psychological Foundations of Education or 48.251 Psychological Foundations
- 60.291 Principles of Teaching
- 60.311 Classroom Measurement and Assessment or 79.301 Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Elementary School
- 60.393 Social Foundations of Education or 60.406 Multicultural Education
- 62.121 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- 62.302 Teaching Science in the Elementary School
- 62.304 Teaching Environmental Education in the Elementary School
- 62.310 Teaching Fine Arts in the Elementary School
- 62.322 Seminar in Learning Experiences with Young Children
- 62.371 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School
- 62.373 Diagnostic and Inclusionary Practices for Literacy
- 62.390 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School
- 62.391 Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School
- 62.398 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
- 62.410 Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education I
- 62.420 Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education II
- 62.497 Teaching Literacy and Literature in Diverse Classrooms
Field Experiences
- 62.496 Practicum (Bloomsburg, Berwick, Central, Danville, Hazleton and/or Southern)
- 79.312 Internship (Bloomsburg)
- 79.320 Practicum (Central or Danville)
- 79.461 Practicum (Bethlehem or Philadelphia)
Student Teaching
Suggested Electives
A minimum of one credit is required
- Any course in fitness and recreation skills
- 05.311 Methods and Materials in Elementary School Physical Education
- 05.320 Health and Safety in the Elementary School
- 09.100 University Seminar
- 20.384 Literature for Children
- 30.205 Children's Art
- 35.320 Music in Elementary School
- 60.427 Classroom Management and Effective Discipline
- 62.400 Workshop in Mathematics in ECH/EL (summer only)
- 62.441 Workshop in Elementary Education
- 79.312 Internship in Education (1 to 3 semester hours only in this area)
Other requirements
All students are required to complete the following:
FBI Clearance (Renewed yearly)
Criminal Record Check (Act 34, renewed yearly)
Child Abuse Check (Act 151, renewed yearly)
TB Test - results Negative or Statement of Treatment (yearly)
Praxis I - Pre-professional skills test (PPST). All students are required to take the following Praxis Tests. PPSTs must be taken and passed by 48 credits in order to be admitted to teacher education.
Reading (10710) or 5710
Writing (10720) or 5720
Mathematics (10703) or 5730
Praxis II - Subject Assessments. Beginning Fall 2007 the Pennsylvania Praxis II tests must be taken and passed in order successfully complete the certification program.
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (30511)
Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (10011)
Early Childhood Education (10020)