• Seton Hill University provides certification programs in the following areas, which are recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education: Art; Biology; Business, Computer, and Information Technology; Chemistry; Elementary (Pre-K-4) with Special Education (Pre-K-8); English; French; Elementary/Middle Level; Mathematics; Music; Social Studies; Spanish; Special Education Pre-K-8; and Special Education 7-12.
• Seton Hill is committed to preparing teachers with a foundation in inclusionary techniques, providing the preparation in theory and practical application necessary in today’s classrooms.
• Students who seek certification in all areas can increase their opportunities for employment by earning a Special Education Endorsement granted by Seton Hill University. This endorsement is granted to students who complete the following courses:
• SED 205 - Intro to Exceptional Children (Education)  
• SED 208 - Characteristics and Strategies I (Education)  
• SED 209 - Characteristics and Strategies II (Education)  
• SED 335 - Assessment (Education)  
• SED 340 - Classroom Management (Education)  

Teacher certification is regulated and granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students who are seeking teacher certification are advised that they are required to meet the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certification requirements in effect at the time of application for certification, which may not be those in effect at the time of admission to the education program. The education faculty will make every effort to inform students of changes in teacher certification requirements.

Learning Objectives for the Education Program

1. Design appropriate instructional strategies utilizing community resources and integrating related disciplines to meet the needs of all students.
2. Demonstrate creative, effective, and reflective teaching practices which employ varied student-centered pedagogical modes, current technology, and assessment techniques.
3. Conduct management of the classroom in a manner which creates an appropriate atmosphere for learning.
4. Work collaboratively in providing educational programs for all students.
5. Demonstrate awareness of students with disabilities and understand the need for appropriate accommodations.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the laws governing education.
7. Demonstrate effective and professional verbal and written communication skills.
8. Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning.

Admission to the Education Program

Students may be admitted to the Education Program after they have earned 48 credits of study (60 credits for music education). To be admitted to the Education Program, all students must do the following:

1. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
2. Pass the state-required Basic Skills Assessment.
3. Achieve a grade of B or better in SED 201  or SED 202 .
4. Earn 3 credits in an English composition course and 3 credits in a literature course with a grade of C- or better on both.
5. Earn 6 credits in two college level math courses: SMA 100  and SMA 102 , with a grade of C- or better in both.
6. Upon completion of the above, students will present evidence of completion of these requirements to their Education advisor to apply for admission to the program.

Persons who already hold a BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university must provide official transcript(s) showing all undergraduate coursework and date degree was conferred; and have a minimum of 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average; and have earned a minimum of 6 undergraduate credits in mathematics, and 6 undergraduate credits in English composition (3 credits) and English literature (3 credits) OR take the courses at Seton Hill prior to applying for certification. Candidates who began their teacher preparation program as an undergraduate prior to August 1, 2015 and are now completing the program at the post-baccalaureate level must take and pass the Basic Skills Assessment prior to being granted certification.

Guide to Transferring into Teacher Education

Below are the guidelines that should be followed in accordance with Act 168 that was passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in August 2015. It states, “Candidates must take and pass the basic skills assessment prior to formal entry into the program and prior to taking professional core courses.” Seton Hill has identified professional core courses as those at the 300-level and higher.

1. PreK-4/Special Education
   A student transferring with 48 credits or more must have met the requirements for formal admission to the teacher certification program: that is, a 3.0 GPA, at least a B- in SED 202 - Teaching Strategies PreK to Grade 4 (Education) , or an equivalent transfer course, and passed the Basic Skills Assessment (or are exempt with qualifying ACT or SAT scores). If the student has not met these criteria, he or she must be placed in the Educational Studies major.
2. Secondary Education (7-12)
   A student transferring with 48 credits or more must have met the requirements for formal admission to the teacher certification program: that is, a 3.0 GPA, at least a B- in SED 201 - Instr’l Strat for Inclusive Ed (Education) , or an equivalent transfer course, and passed the Basic Skills Assessment (or are exempt with qualifying ACT or SAT scores). If the student has not met these criteria, he or she must be placed in his or her content area major: Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, French, Mathematics, Social Studies (History), or Spanish.
3. Music Education (K-12)
   A student transferring with 60 credits or more must have met the requirements for formal admission to the teacher certification program: that is, a 3.0 GPA, at least a B in SMU 102 - Foundations of Music Education (Music)  and SMU 220 - Music Methods/Inclusive Classroom (Music) , or equivalent transfer courses, and passed the Basic Skills Requirement (or are exempt with qualifying ACT or SAT scores). If the student has not met these criteria, he or she must be placed in his or her content area major: Music.
4. Art Education (K-12)
   A student transferring with 48 credits or more must have met the requirements for formal admission to the teacher certification program: that is, a 3.0 GPA, at least a B- in SED 201 - Instr’l Strat for Inclusive Ed (Education) , or an equivalent transfer course, and passed the Basic Skills Assessment (or are exempt with qualifying ACT or SAT scores). If the student has not met these criteria, he or she must be placed in his or her content area major: Art.

Transfer students who meet the above requirements are permitted to enroll in the teacher certification program; however, they will not be formally admitted until they have also earned at least 6 credits from two college-level mathematics courses, 3 credits from a college-level literature course, 3 credits from a college-level composition course, and passed the Professional Rubric.

Retention in the Education Program

All students pursuing teacher certification will be reviewed by the education faculty at the end of each semester. To maintain standing in the program, students must:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Only courses with a C- or better will be accepted for certification.
2. Pass the program’s Professional Rubric. Two failing grades on this rubric may result in dismissal from the program.
3. Obtain the following clearances on a yearly basis beginning in the first semester of freshman year: Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification form).

Admission to Student Teaching

All students pursuing teacher certification will apply for student teaching in SED 432 . (Students in music apply in the semester prior to that in which they intend to student teach.) In order to be approved for student teaching, all students must have:

1. Been formally admitted to the Education Program.
2. Maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
3. Passed the program’s Professional Rubric.
4. Achieved a grade of B- or better in SED 432 . (Students in music must achieve a grade of B- or better in SMU 331 .)
5. Received the recommendation of both the education and content area faculty.
6. Passed Basic Skills Assessment requirement.

NOTICE: Teacher certification is regulated and granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students are advised that they are required to meet the certification requirements in effect at the time of application, not necessarily the same as those in effect at the time of admission into the Education Program.