This program is designed to provide a broad education, an understanding of children, and the knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach all aspects of the elementary school program. Graduates qualify for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate for teaching grades kindergarten through six and middle school. The program includes field experiences and a full semester of student teaching during the senior year. These experiences are usually undertaken in public schools in the greater Philadelphia area.
Students have opportunities to work in urban, rural, and suburban settings.
Admission to the Elementary Education Major Students may seek initial admission into the university as an elementary education major, either as a freshman or as an external transfer student. Students may also seek admission into the major as an internal transfer after completing 27 credits and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. A description of these requirements can be viewed in the University catalog which is on the web. Among the General Education options, the Department specifies particular courses for elementary education majors. General Education and Professional Education requirements are approximately the same as for the Elementary Education program.