Middle and Secondary Education: Math/Science

New students are normally required to complete the College's placement test prior to their enrollment. Students identified as needing developmental work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate developmental English and mathematics courses as part of the program.

Students in the Math/Science concentration begin their mathematics sequence with MATH 171: Calculus I and MATH 172: Calculus II. Students who have not tested into this level of mathematics must either take the prerequisite math courses (FNMT 118 or equivalent for MATH 161 and MATH 162 with a grade of C or better for MATH 171) or have taken their equivalents at another college either before enrolling or while enrolled in the program.

Because students are required to observe and work with children, the Program requires students to meet the requirements of the Child Protective Services Law, 23 Pa. C.S.A., § 6344 (relating to prospective childcare personnel). Students must therefore present up-to-date Pennsylvania criminal history reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history reports, Department of Public Welfare (child abuse) reports, and health clearances, clearly stating that they are eligible to work with children. (Up-to-date clearance is defined as being no more than 12 months old on the first day of working with children.) Failure to produce up-to-date clearances or a change of clearance status may result in a student's removal from the program. A student who believes that an error of fact has been made in his/her removal may appeal that decision. Information regarding the appeal procedure will be provided with the letter of removal.

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

To qualify for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree in Middle and Secondary Education – Humanities, a student must complete a minimum of 61 credit hours as described in the following course sequence. In addition, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and a minimum grade of "C" in all Education courses.

During their matriculation in the program, it is strongly recommended that students meet with a designated Education academic advisor to choose their courses.

Students whose behavior is viewed as inconsistent with professional standards may be dropped from the curriculum pending an Education program hearing.

The Middle & Secondary Education in Math/Science A.A. degree program is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching mathematics or science at the middle or high school levels. This program provides a strong foundation in both the content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary for success in a classroom setting. Students earn an Associate in Arts degree in education, which is now required for many entry-level jobs in Pennsylvania K-12 schools. Most graduates then transfer to a four-year institution where they earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Education and are eligible for certification to teach at the middle or secondary levels, in math or science areas. It also serves as a first step for those students who wish to transfer to four-year schools so that they may earn their baccalaureate degrees in education.

Students engage in coursework that covers key concepts in mathematics, physical and life sciences, and educational theory, while also gaining hands-on experience through teaching practica and fieldwork in local schools.

Because transfer institutions require specific courses, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer along with transfer information available in the Counseling Center, as well as their advisor, to make appropriate course selections.

According to Pennsylvania mandates, under Chapter 354, students need a 3.0 GPA for entry into upper-level education courses and teacher certification programs at four-year schools. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before being admitted into these upper-level courses at four-year schools.

Note for Students in Middle Level: The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires candidates for 4th-8th grade teacher certification to earn 66 credits across four content areas: mathematics, science, English/language arts/reading and social studies. Students will not earn all the necessary content electives in this A.A. program. Depending on their transfer institution, students may apply the credits earned in their content electives towards those 66 content area credits. General education courses required by the program may also apply. Students must take additional content area courses at their transfer institution to fulfill that institution's requirements for content courses.

Upon successful completion of the Education: Middle and Secondary Level degree program, graduates will be able to:

• Identify the relationship between historic and current public education in the United States, with emphasis on public education in urban environments.
• Develop a professional teaching philosophy informed by the study of cultural and social changes that shape contemporary practices in education.
• Communicate efficiently with specific stakeholders in education, using various communication modalities.
• Examine middle and secondary education teachers’ roles and responsibilities including: certification requirements, instructional models, classroom management, record keeping, mandatory reporting, and IDEA compliance.
• Construct and apply meaning from theoretical frameworks including:  adolescent development, assessment, pedagogy, and professionalism.
• Utilize effective and appropriate communication tools and skills to convey Science, Math, Engineering, and/or Technology content knowledge.