Education
MajorsElementary Education · Elementary Education/Special Education (Dual Certification) · Music Education · Secondary Education: Biology, English, General Science, Mathematics, Social Studies
General Information
The Department of Education believes that the quintessential challenge is the quality preparation of candidates for the teaching profession. The program is dedicated to providing teacher candidates with the most current principles and practices of effective instruction, the best instructional methodologies, up-to-date and relevant instructional technologies, and myriad interactions with youngsters in a variety of classroom settings.
As professional educators devoted to the preparation of future teachers, the mission of the department encompasses the following:
- developing critical thinking in pre-professional educators
- educating pre-professional educators to be keen decision makers
- educating pre-professional educators who are highly skilled in the principles of human growth and development
- creating strategy-based educators able to empower learners with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become life-long learners
- educating future teachers who are committed to their own life-long learning
Required Courses: Elementary Education
Required Courses: Elementary Education/Special Education (Dual Certification)
Required Courses: General Music Education
Required Courses: Secondary Education: Biology
Required Courses: Secondary Education: English
Required Courses: Secondary Education: General Science
Required Courses: Secondary Education: Mathematics
Required Courses: Secondary Education: Social Studies
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of a bachelor's degree in education with student teaching and appropriate certification tests, students may assume the traditional role of a classroom teacher. Education majors electing to complete the degree without student teaching have many opportunities available to them, including the following:
- Administrator
- Caseworker
- Childcare Specialist
- Civil Service
- Corporate Trainer
- Counseling Services
- Human Services Worker
- Literacy Coordinator
- Social Agencies
- Training Specialist
- Youth Development Counselor
Objectives
- Graduates of Teacher Certification programs meet the professional knowledge expectations deemed necessary for successful classroom teaching, as defined by professional educators.
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The Department of Education demonstrates its commitment to prepare graduates of Teacher Certification programs for post-graduate opportunities by:
- Obtaining accreditation approval from the PA State Dept. of Education for all Teacher Certification programs.
- Graduating students who obtain suitable employment within their fields of study.
- Graduates of the Teacher Certification programs demonstrate writing skills deemed necessary for beginning level teachers, who will serve as writing models for students.
- Graduates of Teacher Certification programs are prepared to teach in a variety of instructional settings, apply creative teaching strategies, and participate in life-long learning opportunities.
- Graduates of the Teacher Certification programs play an important role in preparing society for the challenges of tomorrow.
Quality of Instruction
Each year York College education majors take the PRAXIS exams, a series of four to six tests administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Successful completion of these exams is a requirement for certification in the state of Pennsylvania. They are also an indication of the strength of the instructional program. York College students are well prepared for successful careers as classroom teachers.
Overall, 95% of York College education majors pass all their PRAXIS exams. Statewide, the pass rate for all teacher preparation institutions is 95%.
York College students consistently achieve results on all measures of content knowledge and instructional methodology.