Preparing educators with the tools to teach diverse classrooms.

• Initial Teaching Certification

  Teacher candidates can earn initial teaching certification for grades 7-12 in the following content areas:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences:
    • General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth & Space Science
  • Social Studies
  • German (grades PK-12)
  • Spanish (grades PK-12)
• Danielson Framework for Teaching

  The program is guided by and employs the Danielson Framework for Teaching:

  • Planning & Preparation - Demonstrating knowledge of content & pedagogy
  • Classroom Environment – Demonstrating knowledge of students
  • Instruction – Designing curriculum and planning instruction
  • Professional Responsibilities – Reflection on teaching, maintaining records, communicating with families, participating in professional communities, growing & showing professionalism
• Course Timeline

  Summer 1

  • EDU 527 - Foundations of Urban Education
    • A course discussing urban schools in complex social, historical, and political constructs, especially how attempts to create, reform, eliminate, restructure and reassess urban schools reflect broader efforts to shape American society, in general.
  • EDU 564 - Foundation of the Middle Level Learner
    • This course examines the physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral development of the middle level learner and the corresponding implications for school organization. The course utilizes both team and individual teaching. It also models the teaming process which is the primary teaching organizational practice used in middle schools.

  Summer 2

  • SEU 420 - Education Theory and Practice
    •  This course provides strategies necessary to promote effective, creative, and scholarly instruction. Major emphasis will be placed on providing the necessary background to develop courses, instructional units, and lessons. Teaching candidates will gain insights into methods of effective communication and interaction with students, utilization of technology for laboratory research and reference, and methods of evaluating student achievement.
  • SEU 540 - Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking in a Standards Aligned System
    • This course will focus on the literacy needs of adolescent and young adult learners. Formal and informal techniques and strategies which promote information acquisition, expression, and critical thinking in content areas will be at the essence of this course. Students will learn reading and writing activities suitable to all content area course offerings.

  Fall

  • SEU 410/420/430 - Content Area Methodology Course
    • This course will provide the pre-service middle and high school teachers with theories, methods, techniques, strategies, materials, technology, and assessment procedures in their respective concentrations.
  • EDU 434 - Instructional Methodology for English Learners
    • This course offers research-based information relative to the design and implementation of an ESL program; methods, strategies, and resources for ESL programs; the use of computer technology for ELLs; the use of audio/visual media for ELLs; the adaptation of instructional strategies and materials to address the specific needs, talents and interests of ELLs; the integration of multicultural information for ELLs through various curricula; the development, implementation, and evaluation of varied curricular and instructional activities for diverse ELLs; metacognitive awareness and strategic planning of ELLs to assist them in regular classrooms; and the acculturation process regarding reading, writing, speaking, listening, and culture.
  • SPU 500 - Cognitive Development of Diverse Learners in a Standards Aligned System
    • This course surveys the development and provision of special education services to individuals with disabilities in an inclusive environment. Additionally, the identification and characteristics of different types of disabilities will be discussed along with effective collaboration procedures and current classroom management procedures for pre-kindergarten to eighth grade students.

  Winter

  • EDU 532 - Education Exploration
    • This course will provide teacher candidates with an introduction to the complexities of today’s classrooms and education environment. Knowledge will be gained through observation and attendance at various education-related events and direct participation in classroom activities.
  • SEU 535 - Classroom Management for the Inclusive Classroom
    • This course will prepare teachers to be educational leaders who effectively manage their classrooms. It will focus on taking a pro-active approach to create a positive learning environment for all students.

  Spring

  • EDU 526 - Data Driven Decision Making
    • With the current emphasis on accountability and data-driven instruction, this course will provide in-service teachers the opportunity to study an area of personal relevance to their classroom and school/institution. It will emphasize the critical role of assessment in the instructional process and the importance of using valid assessments to guide and influence instruction.
  • EDU 592 - Intensive Clinical Experience
    • A field assignment in a middle or high school setting will provide the clinical student teaching experience. Teacher candidates will teach under a mentor in the schools and meet weekly with their university supervisor in a fieldwork seminar.
• Clinical Experience

  Clinical experience takes place in the final spring semester of the program. Our teacher candidates will be assigned full-time placement in an urban secondary school within the Reading or Allentown school districts.

• Requirements
  • Apply online
    • Watch a walkthrough for applying here.
  • Official transcripts sent from previous institutions
  • Clearances: Act 34, Act 126, Act 114, Act 151 & TB test
  • Demonstrate evidence of content-area knowledge:
    • Required: passing Praxis II Subject Assessment score(s) in content area
    • Required: undergraduate/graduate content area courses (see content area course requirements below)
    • Optional: professional work experience related to content area
  • Participation in an interview after applying
• Content Area Course Requirements

  Admission to the program requires candidates to demonstrate competency in their content area. We have provided worksheets below to detail the expectations of each content area. Applicants can use these forms to get a sense of where they stand and may attach a completed form with their application (optional). Faculty will evaluate applications to determine an admissions decision based on the criteria in the worksheets, in addition to other admissions requirements. It is possible that a candidate may be admitted conditionally pending the completion of additional courses.

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth & Space Science
  • English
  • General Science
  • German
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Social Studies
  • Spanish
• Clearances (Background checks)

  A review of criminal background checks is a part of the process to complete student teaching and be certified to teach in Pennsylvania. Accepted students are required to submit these clearances within the first 30 days of the program. Failure to submit clearances will cause you to be unenrolled from your Summer Session 2 courses. If you are aware that an item may come up on criminal background checks, we advise you to reach out to the Secondary Education department or the College of Education Dean’s office to discuss this as soon as possible.

  Required clearances:

  • Act 34, Act 126, Act 114, Act 151 & TB test

  Full details on the required clearances are found at this link.

  Please note that only current KU students can utilize the campus Human Resources office and Health & Wellness center for fingerprinting and TB testing.

• Praxis II Subject Assessment Test

  A passing Praxis II Subject Assessment test score in the appropriate content area is required to start the program. This test measures the academic skills and subject-specific content knowledge needed for teaching.

  You may still apply if you have not taken the test yet, but a passing score must be obtained prior to the start of your first semester in the program. Accepted students who do not obtain a passing score will be dismissed from the program.

  Here are the current Subject Assessment tests and score requirements for each content area:

  Certification Area	Required Test(s)	Score(s)
  Biology 7-12	Biology (5236)	154
  Chemistry 7-12	Chemistry (5246)	146
  Earth & Space Science 7-12	Earth & Space Sciences (5572)	154
  English 7-12	English Language Arts (5038)	167
  General Science 7-12	General Science (5436)	141
  German PK-12	German World Language (5183) Fundamental Subjects (5511)	163 150
  Mathematics 7-12	Mathematics (5165)	159
  Physics 7-12	Physics (5266)	145
  Social Studies 7-12	Social Studies (5081)	157
  Spanish 7-12	Spanish World Language (5195) Fundamental Subjects (5511)	168 150

  The Praxis II tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service and can be found here.