Academic Programs and Services

Education - Secondary Humanities/Citizenship Education Option

The Education curriculum prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions by introducing them to the field of education while guiding them through a coherent sequence of liberal arts and sciences courses. By doing this, they prepare for careers in the field of education. After successful completion of this curriculum, students receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.

The Education – Secondary Humanities/Citizenship Education Option is appropriate for students who plan to pursue careers teaching humanities (such as English and foreign languages) or citizenship education (including such subjects as history, government, and political science) in secondary schools. This option emphasizes humanities and social science courses which students select according to their field of interest.

The Education curriculum has fourteen transfer agreements with baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the region. Because transfer institutions require specific courses to be taken prior to entry, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer and transfer worksheets available in the Career and Transfer Center, as well as their advisors and mentors, in order to make appropriate selections for their elective courses. According to Pennsylvania mandates under Chapter 354, students will need a 3.0 G.P.A. for entry into teacher certification courses. In addition, they must pass Praxis I – Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before entry into these courses.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• Identify career options open to an individual with a background in education and describe the path required to State Teacher Certification and tenure.
• Explain the history of the American education system, philosophical perspectives, and the social and cultural mores that shape contemporary practices in education.
• Demonstrate an understanding of school structure, governance, and finance.
• Demonstrate an understanding of classroom dynamics including: motivation, teacher expectations, classroom management / behavior modification, special education and the inclusive classroom models, discourse of the discipline, teaching techniques, and curriculum planning and organization.
• Demonstrate competence in the use of technology for teaching through teacher record keeping and differentiating instruction.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how various theoretical frameworks apply to learning and development.

Program Entry Requirements:
Students interested in the field of education may enroll in this curriculum. They must take College placement tests prior to or at the time of entry in order
to receive correct course placement. If needed, students must complete developmental work in English and/or mathematics before enrolling in Education courses.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
A minimum of 64 credits and a grade point average of 2.0 are required for graduation.

Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.