SCIENCE TEACHING
There is a great need for qualified science teachers. Given our excellent reputation in the sciences, USP is uniquely qualified to educate science teachers. An innovative curriculum leading to the B.S. degree in Biology or Chemistry provides the opportunity to obtain either up to four Pennsylvania Department of Education Instruction I Certifications. Pennsylvania currently has interstate certification agreements with 36 other states. The Science Teacher Certification Program is accredited by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Teacher Education, Bureau of Teacher Preparation and Certification. The address of the Department of Education is 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126-0333, 800-822-4069.

Certification Areas

• Biology
• Chemistry
• General Science
• Environmental Education: Grades K through 12
  

Biology majors may be certified in any of the above areas. Chemistry students may be certified in chemistry and general science.

The Teacher Certification Program at USP
The USP program provides early field experiences in science education. During the sophomore year, students participate in a full-semester Science Education Field Laboratory. During the senior year, students complete twelve weeks of full-time student teaching in varied science classroom settings under the supervision of an experienced teacher and a college faculty member. Opportunities also exist to work as a teaching assistant in the introductory biology and chemistry laboratories at USP.

To be admitted to the program, students must complete the Science Education Field Laboratory and be recommended by a cooperating teacher, have a 3.0 overall grade point average, and be approved by the Science Education Committee.

Professional Development Course Requirements

Second Year

• Science Education Field Laboratory
• Introduction to Psychology
• Intelligence, Creativity and Problem Solving Psychology
  

Third Year

• Adolescent Psychology
• Philosophy and History of Education
  

Fourth Year

• Principles and Practices of Teaching
• Methods in Science Teaching
• Instructional Communication
• Supervised Teaching Internship Program
  

SCIENCE TEACHER CERTIFICATION POST BACCALAUREATE
The Post Baccalaureate Program is designed to meet the educational needs of students who are seeking initial certification or additional certifications. Students must possess at least a B.S. degree in his or her field of specialization. Consequently, these preservice or inservice teachers possess a level of subject matter knowledge well above the traditional undergraduate student.

Given the nature of the educational backgrounds of the students seeking initial certification, it is important to provide professional development courses that includes instruction on:

• educational philosophy and history
• basic principles of psychology
• principles of adolescent development
• principles of cognitive development
• principles and practices in teaching
• methodologies used in teaching science
• instructional planning
• classroom management
• assessment strategies
• educational technology
• instructional communication
• field observational experiences
• student teaching
  

The following USP courses meet the professional development needs of preservice science teachers:

• Introduction to Psychology (PS 101)
• Intelligence, Creativity and Problem Solving (PS 202)
• Adolescent Psychology (PS 201)
• Philosophy and History of Education (PH 302)
• Instructional Communication (TC 210)
• Science Education Field Laboratory (TC 285)
• Principles and Practices of Teaching (TC 385)
• Methods in Science Teaching (TC 486)
• Supervised Teaching Internship (TC 487).
  

For those students needing to meet additional science requirements, a self-designed curriculum could be developed. Students would have the option to consider which of the certification areas they would like to pursue. Up to four certifications could be earned.