The Certification Program in Elementary Education
Students may complete virtually any major offered at Penn State Behrend. They must also take fourteen specified courses, many of which are General Education courses, covering topics ranging from experimental sciences and political science to educational psychology and teaching children's literature.
Before completing their Penn State degree, students are expected to take and pass three sections of the PRAXIS I Pre-Professional Skills Test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You may also be required to take the PRAXIS II Subject and Pedagogical Assessment.
All students are encouraged to strive for excellence in order to have every advantage when applying for the fifth year at Mercyhurst and, ultimately, when seeking a teaching position.
A successful academic career at Penn State Behrend will help students to attain the knowledge base and to develop the critical-thinking skills that will equip them to meet the broad demands of teaching at the elementary level.
Elementary Education Checksheet (PDF)
UP Elementary Education Checksheet (PDF)