The Certification Program in Secondary Education
Students at Penn State Behrend may choose certification in one of six areas:
- Mathematics Please note that this is NOT our Secondary Mathematics Education Certification Program. For information on that degree, which can be completed at Behrend, please visit: http://www.pserie.psu.edu/academic/science/degrees/mathed/index.htm
- Social Studies (Majoring in either History or Political Science)
These five majors have designated particular courses as requirements for the fifth-year certification program leading to certification in biology, chemistry, English, social studies, or mathematics. Many of these requirements pertain to courses in the major field; some involve General Education and other courses necessary to fulfill Pennsylvania Teacher Certification requirements in these different areas.
Before completing their Penn State degree, students are expected to take and pass three sections of the Praxis I Examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You may also be required to take the PRAXIS II Subject and Pedagogical Assessment.
As with the program in Elementary Education, students are encouraged to strive for academic excellence. This will ensure that they meet, and even exceed, the minimum grade- point average required for admission to the fifth year at Mercyhurst in their discipline. This also will ensure their ability to provide their future students with a strong academic background.