Education

Melissa Reed, Division Chair

Kelly Doyle, Program Director—Undergraduate Education

Faculty

Joseph J. Corabi
Kelly Ann Doyle
Laura Eisemann
Sister Ann Heath
Karen Miscavage
Robert Pleis
Melissa Reed
Angela Tekely
Leah Bustraan (Certification Officer)

David W. Brennan, Emeritus
Mary D. Calderone, Emerita
Sister Carol Anne Couchara, Emerita
Kathy Nolan, Emerita

Programs Offered

Degree – Majors

Associate of Arts (AA) in Education
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Services

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education:

• PK-4 Certification*
• Special Education (PK-12)
• Education (non-certification track)

 *May also be completed as post-baccalaureate certification – see below.

Certifications**

K-12 certification is available in the following area:

• Music Education (B.Mus.)

Secondary certification in the following areas:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Social Studies (History)

**May be pursued with undergraduate degrees – see above.

PK-4 Certification

Minor

Education

Education Program/Division Vision

The Education Division will foster academic excellence and professional preparation through practical and theoretical framework aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) competencies. Our outstanding faculty promote and support student achievement and preparation for global awareness by fostering academic rigor and the continued professional growth of our graduates. We are committed to our relationships with local education communities with which we partner. The Division of Education develops opportunities to apply 21st Century Learning Skills including technology, critical problem solving, and collaboration.

Education Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the teacher education programs, students will be able to:

• demonstrate competence in teaching required in their field
• manifest knowledge of the integrity and dignity demanded within their profession
• evidence understanding of the obligations, responsibilities, and standards of the teaching profession
• exhibit skills responsive to the learning process for the individual student
• display ability to address educational issues in contemporary society
• ability to adapt educational knowledge, skills, and abilities to a variety of industries, organizations, and communities outside of the traditional classroom environment.

Education Degrees

Field Experiences and Student Teaching

A fee is charged for EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, and EDU 204. No refund is made to anyone who withdraws from a field experience after pre-registration has been completed. As required by Pennsylvania Department of Education, these field experiences will be diverse. They will include settings that vary in terms of type and location of schools as well as grade levels.

EDU 201-202
During the sophomore year, students observe and participate in classroom settings for one morning each week. Students are placed in multiple settings each semester. Students are responsible for their own transportation; staff works with students to coordinate carpooling.

EDU 203-204
During the junior year, students observe and participate in the classroom setting for one morning a week during the first semester. During the second semester students spend one full day a week in the classroom, typically in the same setting in which they will have their student teaching experience in the fall term of the senior year. This preliminary experience is guided and directed by the University staff in conjunction with the principals and teachers at the cooperating schools. Students are responsible for their own transportation; staff works with students to coordinate carpooling.

EDU 328 or EDU 348 Student Teaching Experience  
Full-time Students
The student teaching experience is scheduled for the first semester of senior year and is a full-time, daily experience for CUS students. Applications for student teaching must be made by the date designated prior to student teaching, which occurs fall semester of junior year for CUS students.

Part time Students
Part time students may student teach either in the fall or spring. Students enrolled in part time study must make their application for spring student teaching in early September and in early February for fall student teaching.

All Students
Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students spend full time in the schools during their student teaching. During this time, the student teachers also participate in a weekly seminar conducted by members of the University staff, as well as local school district personnel. Through these seminars, prospective teachers are given the opportunity to discuss their experiences, become familiar with their professional obligations, and address current trends in curricula and instructional methods. A fee is charged for student teaching. No refund is made to anyone who withdraws from student teaching after pre-registration has been completed for this assignment.

If a Pre K-4 student that also completed the special education coursework opts for the addition of Special Education certification, a special education placement is required. These students should see the Director of Student Teaching discuss the specific requirements.

Teacher Certification

All teacher certification programs offered at Immaculata University are reviewed and have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Graduates who have successfully completed our approved program and have been recommended by Immaculata University and have passed all PDE required tests for certification are eligible for a Pennsylvania Certificate to teach. All teacher certification Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) applications recommended by Immaculata are pending approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. All part time and transfer students seeking certification should contact their designated academic advisor. Immaculata University makes every effort to help a student prepare to teach in a state other than Pennsylvania; many of our graduates have successfully completed this process. Students seeking certification in another state should consult with the Certification Officer to investigate reciprocity. Individual Certification Program guidelines by state can be found on each State’s Department of Education website.

General Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has established requirements for certification to teach in Pennsylvania. To prepare candidates to meet these requirements, Immaculata University has developed criteria for formal admission to undergraduate teacher preparation programs leading to certification. Formal acceptance is conditional upon meeting and maintaining requirements throughout the degree program.

Formally Admitted

Students who have completed between 48 to 60 or more college credits must meet the following criteria to be formally admitted into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

(Please note: Coursework for students not formally admitted may be impacted).

Basic Skills Testing Waiver

Effective July 1, 2025, the basic skills assessment required under 22 Pa. Code § 49.18 (relating to assessment) will no longer be required for entry into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program. (24 P.S. § 1207.3)

However, students with a cumulative GPA between 2.80 and 2.99 may use the Basic Skills Test as an alternative pathway to meet the requirements to be formally admitted.

For more information, students should contact the Certification Officer or their Academic Advisor.

The following are standards for retention in the program:

• maintenance of at least a 3.0 average in major area;
•  mainte­nance of at least a B- grade in every course in the professional sequence, and
• a 3.0 average in the professional sequence.

Certification Requirements

To become eligible for PA Department of Education (PDE) certification, an Immaculata University student shall:

• Complete all Immaculata degree requirements.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Maintain at least a 3.0 average in the specific area of certification;
• Maintain a grade of at least B-   in every course taken in the professional course sequence; student teaching experience requires at least a B
• Attain at least the criterion level of 3 (good) for each of the competency areas on the checklist of the professional course sequence;
• Complete 6 (six) semester hours in mathematics
• Complete 6 (six) semester hours of English Composition.
• Complete 3 (three) credits of English Literature.
• Present evidence of having passed the PDE-prescribed testing requirements for the student’s specific teaching certification program.

PLEASE NOTE: All professional educator programs must include the components of field experiences (or prior classroom experience equivalency) and student teaching. Field experiences are on-going throughout the program, aligned with coursework, and include varied experiences in diverse environments.

Applying For Certification

All certifications (including courses requirements) are subject to change to comply with the most current Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations and requirements. At the time of application for certification, students must be in compliance with the most current University requirements as well as PDE requirements. Students seeking Pennsylvania state certification in any specialized area are required to complete all requirements for certification including state-mandated tests and to submit completed forms to the Certification Officer at Immaculata University. along with submitting the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Teacher Certification

All teacher certification programs offered at Immaculata University are pending approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Graduates who have successfully completed an approved program and have been recommended by Immaculata University are eligible for a Pennsylvania Certificate to teach. Students not recommended for certification may appeal through the Campus Review Committee. All part-time and transfer students seeking certification should contact their designated academic advisor. Immaculata University makes every effort to help a student prepare to teach in a state other than Pennsylvania. However, the student is responsible for ascertaining and completing the requirements of that state. Certification candidates must meet citizenship requirements as indicated by PA Department of Education.

Education (AA)
(Associate of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: COM 250, EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 331, EDU 338, EDU 345, EDU 381; ENG 106, ENG 107, ENG 272; HIST 115 or HIST 116; MATH 109, MATH 111; PSY 205; SCI 106; and SOC 306.

Social Services (AA)
(Associate of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: COM 250; EDU 290, EDU 302, EDU 320, EDU 381, EDU 384; EDU 207 (15 credits in cooperative education); PSY 204 or PSY 205; PSY 250; SCI 106; SOC 202 and SOC 306.

Education (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts – PK-4 Certification)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: EDU 095, EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 317, EDU 318, EDU 319, EDU 331, EDU 338, EDU 345, EDU 348 (or two semesters EDU 346), EDU 352, EDU 355, EDU 365, EDU 366, EDU 381, EDU 384; ENG 106, ENG 107 and one course (3 credits) ENG 100 - or 200-level literature (ENG 272 recommended); MATH 109, MATH 111; PSY 205; SCI 106; and SOC 306.

Education - Special Education (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts – PK-12 Special Education Certification)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: EDU 095, EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 317, EDU 318, EDU 319, EDU 330, EDU 331, EDU 338, EDU 345, EDU 348, EDU 352, EDU 355, EDU 365, EDU 366, EDU 381, EDU 384; ENG 106, ENG 107, one course (3 credits) ENG 106, ENG 107 and one course (3 credits) ENG 100 - or 200-level literature (ENG 272 recommended); MATH 109, MATH 111; PSY 205; SCI 106; SOC 306; SPED 385, SPED 386, SPED 388, and SPED 389.

Education (BA)
(Non-certification track)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 317, EDU 318, EDU 319, EDU 331, EDU 338, EDU 345, EDU 352, EDU 355, EDU 365, EDU 366, EDU 381, EDU 384, and four courses (12 credits) in education electives; ENG 106, ENG 107 and one course (3 credits) ENG 100 - or 200-level literature (ENG 272 recommended); MATH 109, MATH 111; PSY 205; SCI 106; SOC 306; SPED 385, SPED 386, SPED 388, and SPED 389.

Education Certifications

Education - K-12 Certification
(Certification + Degree*)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: K-12 certification* is available for students in Music Education.

K-12 Certification course requirements include: EDU 095, EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 328, EDU 384; one course (3 credits) ENG 100 - or 200-level literature (ENG 272 recommended); MATH 109, MATH 111; and PSY 324.
  *Note: K-12 certification students major in the content area of their certification.

Education - Secondary Education Certification
(Certification + Degree**)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Secondary Education Certification** is available for students preparing to teach in a secondary school in the following areas:

• Biology (7-12)
• Chemistry (7-12)
• English (7-12)
• Social Studies (History) (7-12)

Secondary Certification course requirements include: EDU 095, EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 328, EDU 330, EDU 381, EDU 384; ENG 106, ENG 107 and one course (3 credits) ENG 100 - or 200-level literature (ENG 272 recommended); and PSY 324. In addition, students majoring in English or History must also take MATH 109 and MATH 111.
**Note: Secondary certification students major in the certification content area.

Post Baccalaureate Certification

PK-4 Education
(Certification ONLY; part-time adult students only)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Post-baccalaureate certification requirements for PK-4 education include: EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290, EDU 302, EDU 317, EDU 318, EDU 319, EDU 338, EDU 345, EDU 346, EDU 352, EDU 355, EDU 366, EDU 381, EDU 384; and PSY 205.

K-12 Education
(Certification ONLY)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Post-baccalaureate certification requirements for K-12 education include: EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290, EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 328, EDU 330, EDU 381, EDU 384; and PSY 324.

Secondary Education
(Certification ONLY)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Post-baccalaureate certification requirements for secondary education include: EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 290 or EDU 291(H), EDU 302, EDU 310, EDU 328, EDU 330, EDU 381, EDU 384; and PSY 324.

Education Minor

Education
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 290 or EDU 291, EDU 302, EDU 331, EDU 338, EDU 345; PSY 205