Education

Faculty:
Kathleen Kennedy-Reilly, Chairperson
Anthony LaSalle

The Education Department at Delaware Valley College is a premier provider of training for secondary education teachers in the state of Pennsylvania. Students who major in Education will be prepared to teach at the secondary school level (grades 7 to 12) in the following subjects: biology, chemistry, English, general science, or social studies. Agriculture and Business/Computers/Information Technology certifications are K -12.

The Education curriculum is a blend of professional studies, teaching competencies, field experience and the subject area concentration. The Education major provides a career program based on knowledge of subject content (through required courses in the area of certification), understanding of the teaching and learning processes (through required courses in Education and field experience), and proficiency in the liberal arts (through required College core courses).

A program sequence of courses for each content area and certification is prescribed. The program sequence of courses strives for thorough knowledge of subject area, classroom management skills for the diverse and inclusive classroom, communication skills, use of instructional technology, and the development of rational analysis and critical judgment as it applies to education. The Education Department Manual specifically defines requirements for each content area and certification, provides program sequences for each subject area and outlines protocols and responsibilities for the Education major including information regarding Praxis examinations.

In compliance with Chapter 354 of the General Standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students are required to seek formal admission into the Education major. This process is outlined in the Department Manual, and requires the following:
Three credits of college-level English or American Literature; three credits of college-level English Composition; and six credits of college-level Mathematics.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the completion of forty-eight credit hours. The 3.0 GPA must be maintained through graduation in order for Delaware Valley College to recommend the individual for PA certification. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the Education Department will place the student on probation until the student raises the GPA to the acceptable level.
All transfer students must enter with a cumulative 3.0 GPA in order to be admitted to the Education Program. A 3.0 GPA must be maintained in order to receive recommendation for certification.
Attainment of proper background clearances - Acts 34, 114, and 151.
Successful completion of the Praxis PPST tests in Reading (10710), Writing (20720), and Mathematics (10730).
An application for admission into the major must be completed after forty-eight credit hours. Eligibility and departmental recommendation for the student teaching practicum are dependent upon formal acceptance into the major.

The Department Chair, in consultation with the student’s advisor and Content Area Chair, reviews the applications to determine formal acceptance to the Education Department. Students will not be permitted to progress in the professional sequence of the program until testing and grade standards are met; they will be re-examined in subsequent semesters to determine eligibility and their future success in the program.

For the past three years, Delaware Valley College pass rates for the Praxis II exams have exceeded 90% in Agriculture (Fundamental Subjects), Agriculture Content, Biology, Business (Fundamental Subjects), Business Content, and English Language and Literature. For complete scoring information, including Praxis I scores, see the Pennsylvania Department of Education site at http://www.teacherpassrates.ed.state.pa.us.

A student may enter the Education program as a major in Education or as a major in an academic discipline seeking certification. The number of credits required for graduation with a degree in Secondary Education is 127-136 credits, depending on the content area. This includes 12 credits earned for successful completion of the Student Teaching Seminar.

All certification candidates must also complete the 190 field experience hours as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Experiential Learning Program (ExLP) at Delaware Valley College is a graduation requirement for all full-time undergraduate students. Education students should consult with their advisors for specific major requirements to complete the Experiential Learning Program.

Minimum requirements:

Full-time undergraduate students must complete a minimum of two experiential learning activities with at least one for academic credit.
Students must have completed 27 credits to enroll in Experiential Learning Activities.
All students must complete an introductory course prior to enrolling in any Experiential Learning Activities.

Education

Programs