Faculty:

• Daniel Casebeer, Ph.D.
• Kathleen Harris, Ph.D.
• Denise L. Knedeisen, M.A. CCC-SLP
• Teresa Vasinko, D. Ed.

The Seton Hill University Educational Studies major is dedicated to preparing undergraduate candidates who have an interest in education outside of teacher certification. The Educational Studies major provides professional knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become highly effective educators in a variety of settings, in and outside of the traditional classroom. Educational Studies provides the foundation of classroom teaching which then extends to a variety of areas of expertise through a given track.

Students may select from one of the following tracks:

1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
2. Communication and Culture
3. Business and Social Science

The Learning Objectives of the Educational Studies Major are to prepare graduates who can:

1. Apply child development theory (both typical and atypical) to individualize teaching strategies that match children’s ways of learning.
2. Develop classroom management strategies that support the development of key social, emotional, and behavioral skills.
3. Develop and implement effective teaching strategies in support of children’s language and literacy development.
4. Communicate and work effectively with support staff, volunteers, and professionals.
5. Develop appropriate assessment procedures to conduct, diagnose, observe, evaluate, monitor, and report development.
6. Utilize developmentally appropriate practice in the creation of materials, activities, and strategies across the curriculum.
7. Design appropriate learning environments using play, themes, and projects to enhance development in cognitive, language, physical, social, emotional, behavioral, and aesthetic areas.
8. Engage in ongoing professional self-reflection.
9. Apply a professional code of ethics to all aspects of the profession.
10. Apply theory and research from professional literature in teaching practice.
11. Integrate and evaluate technologies to support learning.
12. Utilize Universal Design for Learning theory and practice to meet the needs of divers learners.
13. Communicate and collaborate effectively with parents, families, and other adults from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
14. Incorporate community resources as a part of developmentally appropriate practice.
15. Apply content an theoretical knowledge in the area of STEM, Communication and Culture, or Business and Social Sciences.

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Studies must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements, the capstone assessment requirement, an internship, and the required courses for the major. In addition, all candidates must 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).

The capstone course integrates theory, research, and practice in education (General and Special Education, non-certificate majors) with the liberal arts knowledge base. Contemporary issues confronting education, best practice research, and inclusive principles of education are reviewed. The student’s e-portfolio, resume, and career plan are completed.

A minimum of 120 credits is required.