Science Education at ESU
The content requirements are specified as a list of courses in the certification subject and related areas (see below). These courses make up the bulk of the major courses in the undergraduate program corresponding to the certification you wish to get. For example, for physics, one needs to demonstrate proficiency in the courses listed as part of the undergraduate B.A. degree in physics.
In addition to the content courses, you also have to take a series of pedagogy (education) courses. There are seven all together plus a semester of student teaching. [note: Don't want to take all those education classes? See below]
The program you enroll under depends on the number of courses you need and your goal:
This option is sometimes chosen by those who have a degree in a non-science field and thus lack most of the science courses needed for certification. As a result, many of the courses to be taken are at the undergraduate level and wouldn't count towards a graduate degree.
Although most students choosing this program have already completed the bulk of their science courses before enrolling, students can enter this program without having much science background. The science content is taken at the undergraduate level, so it doesn't count toward the graduate degree. Still, the education coursework does count toward the graduate degree, and that may be desirable in terms of salary scales and such.
Note: As mentioned above, you don't need to get a degree to get certification. Certificition only requires that you take the courses specified for certification. In some cases, you may have satisfied the requirements for certification but not the degree, in which case you are free to leave with just your certification if that's all you want. In fact, many who choose this option never complete the degree.
As a graduate student in this program, you have some additional options. In the intern teaching program, after completing a portion of the educational requirements, you get a temporary certificate allowing you to teach while you finish the rest of your coursework. This temporary certificate is called an intern certificate. For more information on the intern certificate, see below. You can, in addition to the intern certification or as a replacement, enroll in the master's program (see the PSED department). You complete some additional coursework and end up with a master's degree along with the certification.
You can, of course, complete more but this are the minimum. There is also a minimum GPA requirement.
In the intern teaching program, after completing these requirements, you get a temporary certificate (called the intern certificate) allowing you to teach while you finish the rest of your coursework. The intern certificate is good for three years.
Note: As an intern, you do not get the benefit of having a cooperating teacher who can mentor you and allow you to slowly take on more and more of the teaching responsibilities (which consists of a lot more than just teaching) under their guidance. On the other hand, as an intern, you get to choose what school and position you ultimately end up in (you interview for an intern position the same way you would interview for any other teaching position). So, if you don't mind learning on your own and are prepared for days when nothing seems to work yet you have to make do on your own, the intern avenue may be what you are looking for.
For more information about Pennsylvania's intern certificate, see the PA Dept of Education's page on the intern teaching program. The relevant legislation is in the Chapter 49 regulations (scroll down to section 91).
Note: You can, in addition to the intern certification or as a replacement, enroll in the master's program (see the PSED department) so that, with some additional coursework, you'll end up with a master's degree along with the certification.
It is important to note that the emergency certificate (unlike the intern certificate) is obtained through the school that is hiring you, not ESU. It is up to you to find a school that is willing to fill out the appropriate form and argue that no properly certified applicant was available.
Note: A similar "emergency certificate" option is available in New Jersey, where schools can provide you with a one-year temporary provisional certificate or a one-year emergency certificate under certain circumstances.
For information about teaching at the middle school, see the question on middle school certification.
Note: Prior to July 1, 2004, there was a single CSPG for all of the secondary science disciplines (Science Certification and Assignment Scope 7-12). In secondary (grades 7-12) science, there were four basic certification areas: biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science. Certification in a particular area permits you to teach that subject, and that subject only (or something similar), in the high school. The only exception was the general science certificate, which permitted you to teach all the science subjects at the middle level (as well as general science in grades 7-12). From September 22, 2003 to October 21, 2003, new/updated CSPGs were presented for public review and comment. The old CSPG is no longer available on the PDE website.
To teach such a course, one needs to obtain the K-12 certificate in Environmental Education, which is is K-12 (i.e., elementary and secondary). ESU does not offer that certification. However, a new Pennsylvania regulation allows you to add Environmental Education certification simply by passing the PRAXIS exam in Environmental Education (10830). For more information, see next question.
The environmental education certificate also qualifies you to teach environmental science in grades 7-12 and "science instruction, adjusted to the students' abilities when below proficient" at the middle level. For more information on the Environmental Education certificate, see CSPG No. 43: Environmental Education.
Note: Since the Environmental Education certificate is a K-12 certificate, you would normally have to take the "Fundamental Subjects" test (which is required of K-12 certificates). However, if you already have your secondary certificate, you don't need to take the "Fundamental Subjects" test when you add the Environmental Education certficate. You only need the PRAXIS exam in Environmental Education (10830). See here for more information.
If you do not have a science certificate, starting in January, 2003, Pennsylvania starting offering a middle school certificate (see CSPG No. 54: Middle Level Science Grades 7-9) that qualifies you to teach science courses in grades 7-9 and science only at grade 6. This certificate can only be obtained by passing the Middle School Science Test #10439 (once you have some other certificate).
The middle school science certificate is not necessary if you already have a secondary science certificate because they all allow you to provide "science instruction, adjusted to the students' abilities when below proficient" at the middle level. All of the relevant CSPG's state this (it isn't clear why the biology guidelines state one can teach any science course at the middle level and then qualifies it for student abilities below proficient). Be aware, however, that some schools may desire a middle school certificate or a secondary science certificate in the subject area.
Note: Prior to January, 2003, certification in elementary education alone was sufficient in some cases to teach any course at the middle-school level (including science).
Note: Starting January 1, 2013, the middle school certificate will no longer be obtainable as an add-on certificate via taking the PRAXIS exam. According to the new Chapter 49 regulations, to get the middle school certificate, you will have to complete an approved program in middle school certification (grades 4-8). However, once one middle school certification is obtained in one subject area, you can add other middle school subject areas by taking the appropriate PRAXIS exam.
Currently, you can add certain instructional areas (all middle and secondary areas are included) to an existing Instructional certificate by taking, and passing, the corresponding PRAXIS II exam (see which PRAXIS II exam should I take? for more information) and completing Form 338 G with the words "ADD-ON" printed on the top, along with a copy of the current Pennsylvania certificate, a copy of the PRAXIS score report (with the qualifying score) and a money order for $15 (payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania). [reference]
Starting in January 2013, people who hold certification in a secondary area will no longer be able to add middle school certification in this way (and, visa-versa, people who hold middle school certification will no longer be able to add secondary certification in this way). However, you can still add additional instructional areas to your certificate as long as new area is at the same instructional level (i.e., secondary or middle). It isn't clear if one would still be able to add a K-12 certificate (like the Environmental Education certificate) but the new regulations do not say you can't. See the FAQ page on the new Chapter 49 regulations (question 7 of "Non-Traditional Programs" section) for more information.
Prior to January 2003, the requirements were the same regardless of whether you already held certification in another area or not. That meant that you needed to complete an approved program to add an instructional area.
Between January 2003 and June 2006, PA had Bridge Certificate Program for people who were already teaching middle school but who did not hold a middle school or secondary certificate in the subject area. It required the teacher to have taught at least 2 years in the content area. In the program, teachers had to obtain 28 "points" to receive their certification. Points were awarded for the following areas:
The first step toward this happened on November 14, 2002, when the Pennsylvania State Board of Education passed a resolution that allowed all current holders of teaching certificates to add secondary or middle-level certificates simply by passing the corresponding PRAXIS exam (the exact wording was "Resolved: That certified teachers in Pennsylvania might add instructional certificate areas by passing content area tests in the areas to be certified").
Unfortunately, the content area tests proved to be very difficult for those teaching in middle school. Consequently, this regulation was clarified in a January 10, 2003. This memorandum introduced the idea of "middle-level" certification and stated that to add middle-level science, you must pass the PRAXIS Middle School Science Test #10439 and to add middle-level math, you must pass the PRAXIS Middle School Math Test #20069. A second memorandum on January 14, 2003, stated the secondary math and science areas (physics, chemistry, biology, general science and earth/space science) can be added by taking the corresponding PRAXIS exam. For more information on the PRAXIS exams (such as cut-off scores, test numbers, etc.), see below.
In 2008, Pennsylvania instituted new regulations (see Chapter 49), which go into effect in January 2013. One piece of this was the creation of a new middle school certification program for grades 4-8. Another piece requires cousrework in "adaptations and accommodations" and "English Language Learners" (ELL).
If you already have certification in one area, you may be able to add the additional certification via a PRAXIS exam. See above.
Note: In addition to the pedagogy and content courses listed below, the state also requires two math courses and two English courses (one composition and one literature; see Memorandum 04, which states that you must have "3 semester hours of English/American literature"; ESU has interpreted this to mean that the literature must be translated into English/American, which means you can study Don Quixote, as long as it is translated into English). As of September 1, 2009, applicants have the option of demonstrating competency and fulfilling the Mathematics and/or English requirements by taking an exam or AP course even when no formal credit is awarded by ESU. For example, if you have taken and passed calculus, you may not need to take a second math course if you can demonstrate competency in a lower-level math course (like precalc) via an exam.
The pedagogy coursework consist of seven courses in education. The names of the courses
depend on whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student:
| Undergraduate | Graduate |
| PSED161 Foundations of Education | PSED510 The Teacher and the School Community |
| PSED242 Educational Psychology | PSED516 The Learner and the Learning Process |
| MCOM242 Educational Communications | MCOM520 Selection and Utilization of Instructional Media |
| REED321 Teaching of Reading in the Secondary School | REED527 Reading in the Content Area |
| PSED420 Seminar in Secondary Education I | PSED520 Seminar in Secondary Education I |
| PSED421 Seminar in Secondary Education II | PSED521 Seminar in Secondary Education II |
| PSED446 Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools | PSED546 Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools |
The content coursework consist of the science courses
and are usually somewhat equivalent to the coursework required for a B.A. in the content area.
However, faster-track options may be available elsewhere. When choosing
a program, consider the following recommendations listed in
A Difficult Balance:
Incentives and Quality Control in Alternative Certification Programs.
Undergraduates typically don't screen in until their sophomore or
junior year - see the secondary education department for
more information. Graduate students typically screen as early
as possible.
As of August 22, 2002, to get admitted into the ESU teacher education
program, you must have at least a 2.8
overall grade point average and
pass the Praxis I exam (before August 31, 2003, the Praxis I exam was
not required for admission). You also need two math courses
and two English courses (one composition and one literature; see
above for specifics).
Note:
Starting Fall, 2003, ESU students must have a 2.5 in order to take
the Educational Psychology (or Learner and the Learning Process) course. If you already have
an undergraduate degree or are a transfer student with coursework
elsewhere, you will need at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA to be in
the teacher preparation program. If you don't have that GPA, you can
enter as a non-degree student or in another major, take content
coursework, pass Praxis I and pursue initial education courses. If
you attain a B or better in each course taken, you can then reapply
for the teacher education program (or change your major, if you are an undergraduate student).
To exit the program and get certified, you must have at least a
3.0
overall grade point average (before August 31, 2003, the requirement
was 2.8). Again, each certification area may have their own
requirements in addition to this.
Note: According to an October 5, 2009, memorandum, one can receive certification
with as low as a 2.8 grade point average if you have earned a score on the subject
area PRAXIS exam that is at least one standard error of measure above the established
qualifying score for that assessment.
For entrance into the program, the grade point average is obtained
via your ESU courses only (both in the major and outside the major),
unless you have more than 12 hours of coursework taken elsewhere. In
that case, the combined average will be used.
Note: If you already hold an advanced degree, you don't need to
include your undergraduate GPA in the entrance requirement (see Memorandum 07).
Note: If you hold an emergency permit, you can take up to nine credits
on a provisional basis and then use those credits for the GPA
requirement (see Memorandum 06).
Note: Students may appeal to request the use or non-use of transfer courses
to be used in calculating the QPA for admission, but if they are
used, all courses taken at other institutions must be used, not only
selected ones.
For exit from the program, the ESU average (all courses) will be
used, regardless of how many courses were taken elsewhere.
Note: individual majors may have separate content-specific GPA
requirements. Thus, you may meet the GPA requirement for one
certification but not another.
As a reference,
Memorandum 07
states that "Pennsylvania currently requires an overall GPA requirement of a 3.0 for entry...and
exit" so this is the current interpretation followed by ESU.
To provide some context and history, the legislation governing certification in
Pennsylvania (known as Chapter 354; see
section 24) specifies that candidates must maintain the following
"overall" GPA "in each certificate area":
Part of the problem is that the language is applied to two sets of candidates.
One set consists of those "who plan to teach" in an academic discipline. The
other set consists of those "who plan to serve" in a certificate category.
Within this section, the latter are described as "noninstructional". Consequently,
the natural interpretation is to assume that the language used for "certificate
categories" does not apply to those seeking secondary science certification.
Instead, "certificate area" is interpreted to mean "academic discipline" (since
those two phrases seem to be used interchangeably), in keeping with the
emphasis later in this same section that "academic content area
courses" are to be the same set of core and elective courses in the
"bachelor of arts or bachelor of science major academic area the
candidates intend to teach."
The section applying to entrance criteria is in section 31.
In this section, there is quite a bit about other options, e.g., a
2.8 GPA (for undergraduates) is okay if a certain score is obtained on the SAT (1050
overall, minimum of 500 on verbal and math portions) or Praxis I exams (still to be
determined?).
In that section, it seems clear that the same GPA requirements are to be
applied to those entering a program. It is also clear that the GPA is the
overall GPA (see
comments on
Chapter 354).
Since chapter 354 was passed, PDE has issued several memoranda that
are meant to clarify the legislation. Relative to exit criteria,
a recent PDE
memo
implies that the GPA requirement is for overall GPA. More specifically, it
states that those applicants exiting a program (i.e., applying for
certification) submitting a Bachelor's degree transcript need an
overall grade point average of:
Relative to entrance criteria, PDE has issued two memoranda.
According to PDE memorandum-01,
a candidate entering a program must have the above GPA on the "accumulation of 48
credit hours or the full time equivalent of college level study", which seems to imply
an overall GPA (as inferred above). However, according to PDE memorandum-02,
for candidates entering a program, "the inclusion of elective
and transcripted courses is at the discretion of the institution."
This seems to imply that it is the content GPA but an
institution may choose to also apply the minimum to the
overall GPA.
There are several exams that are offered. You need to take the four
core battery exams (called PRAXIS I; see list immediately
below this paragraph) and one subject
specialty exam for each area in which you wish to be certified
(called PRAXIS II). See your methods instructor for the PRAXIS
"Tests at a Glance" booklets, which describe the subject specialty
exams in science.
There are three*1,*3,*4 tests that make up the core battery exams:
The first three can be taken by computer (second test code list above).
Notes: see below if any of these past requirements apply to you.
The subject specialty exams are not required until you formally apply for certification. However,
it is wise to take them earlier. For example, the earth science exam has a heavy emphasis on
geology, so you should probably plan to take that exam immediately following the geomorphology course,
if you happen to take that course. In addition, you might find that you don't pass it the first time.
Taking it early will give you some time to identify your weaknesses and retake it.
If you are a graduate student, you might be
eligible for intern certification if you pass the praxis exam. That will allow you to accept
a choice position if it happens to come up before (or while) you student teach.
Notes: see below if any of these past requirements apply to you.
According to the PDE, "Applicants must meet the qualifying scores in
effect at the time of application, regardless of the score in effect at
the time the applicant takes the test." Thus, if a qualifying score
is implemented before you apply for certification, then you must
meet whatever qualifying score is in effect at the time of application.
As far as I know, they don't re-check your score if you already have
certification. Nor do I think they re-check your score when you apply
for Level II certification, but I'm not sure about that.
I am transferring to ESU. Who decides
whether my courses will count toward the certification requirements?
What about the general university requirements?
Is there a minimum GPA I need to satisfy? What is it?
If I need a 3.0, will a 2.98 count?
How close to the cut-off can I be?
What courses count toward the GPA requirement?
I've heard different things about the GPA requirement
from different people and schools. What's the deal with that?
Since this section is about obtaining certification, I assume it
applies to exit criteria. In addition, since it speaks of the
GPA "in each certification area" and maintaining a certain level of
performance in "each academic discipline", I assume the GPA
requirement is for the major courses, despite their use of the
word "overall".
For those submitting a Master's degree transcript, an overall
grade point average of 3.0 is needed for applications received
September 1, 2003. It is not clear if these dates are the
last dates for application or first dates (i.e., the
memo does not state whether these are for applications received
by or after the dates listed above). What is a PRAXIS exam?
If you need help with these exams, you can check out practice tests on-line via
Test Prep Review (not
affiliated with ETS).
When should I take the PRAXIS exams?
Which PRAXIS II (content or subject
specialty) exam do I take?
Certification Area Test title Test code PA qualifying score*7) Biology*1,5
Biology: Content Knowledge
20235
147*3,5 (152) Chemistry*2
Chemistry: Content Knowledge
20245
154 (161) Earth and Space Science*3
Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge
20571
157 (162) General Science*4
General Science: Content Knowledge
10435
146 (152) Physics*4
Physics: Content Knowledge
10265*5
140*5 (146) Middle Level Science
Middle Level Science 7-9
10439
144*6 (150) Middle Level Math
Middle Level Math 7-9
20069
151*6 (158) Environmental Education
Environmental Education
10830
600*6 (635)
Do I have to take the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge PRAXIS exam?
I want to teach in New Jersey (or another state). Are the requirements any
different?
For other states, see:
Notes:
I want to get certified in multiple areas. Do I need to take a
PRAXIS exam for each area?
Is there a minimum score I need to get in my PRAXIS exam?
There is no qualifying score for the
PRAXIS exam I need to take. What does that mean?
Pennsylvania keeps changing the requirements for certification.
Do my old PRAXIS test scores still count?
I've finally gotten my certification. How
do I find a teaching position?
What is a typical salary for a first-year teacher?
How do I go about getting a teaching position in another state?
What problems do beginning teachers typically encounter?
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