Certification Programs

The College offers several interdisciplinary programs leading to Pennsylvania teacher certification. For additional information on these programs, contact the Chair of the Education Department. 

Social Studies Certification

Students pursuing a Social Studies certification acquire a mastery of the various subject fields that are part of a secondary social studies curriculum. In addition, the program provides training in the techniques of teaching, along with actual teaching experience in a social studies classroom. Upon successful completion of the program, students are certified to teach social studies in secondary schools in Pennsylvania and, by reciprocal agreement, in several other states. 

Requirements for Social Studies certification include: History 115, 201, 202; one additional European history course; one non-United States, non-European history course; Political Science 111 and 150; Economics 101; Anthropology 111; Sociology 101; Psychology 105; one of the following: Anthropology 306, 308, 361 or Earth Science 216; one elective in history, political science or economics; and one elective in Anthropology, Sociology or Psychology. In addition to these content courses, students must take Education 106, 151, 241, 305, 470, 490, 497, and Special Education 282. Education 161 and 162 are not required for this certification, however they are recommended. Education certification also requires two English courses (one writing and one literature) and two math courses.

Note: Students who successfully complete the Elizabethtown requirements for the Social Studies Certification will have their Social Science and Western Cultural Heritage Core Areas of Understanding waived.

General Science Certification

Elizabethtown College offers a certification program in General Science designed to lead to a general science teaching certificate in secondary education with a major concentration in biology, chemistry or physics. The program develops a comprehensive background for teachers, so they may be better qualified to teach science in the general science curricula of junior high and middle school programs. The requirements of each concentration include a broad exposure to the other sciences and to mathematics, and to the instruction experience in teaching provided by the professional education sequence. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires two English courses (one writing and one literature) and two math courses for certification. All concentrations require Education 106, 151, 241, 305, 470, 490, 497, Special Education 282, and Philosophy 200. Education 161 and 162 are not required for this certification, however they are recommended.

The specific requirements for each concentration are:

Biology: Biology 111, 112 and 211; three courses selected from Biology 235, 313/313L, 324/324L, 331, 332, 341 and 347; Chemistry 105 and 113; Physics 103 and 104; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114, or 215; two courses selected from Mathematics 117, 121 or 251.

Chemistry: Chemistry 105, 113, 114, 201, 214; and seven credits from among Chemistry 116, 242, 323, 324, 326, 327, 343, 344, 354; Biology 111, 112; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114 or 215; Physics 200 and 201; Mathematics 121 and 122.

Earth Science: Earth Science 113, 114, 215 and 216; Biology 103, 111 and 112; Chemistry 105 and 113; Physics 103 and 104; plus one additional course (3 or 4 credits) in biology, chemistry or physics/engineering; and two course selected from Mathematics 117, 121 or 251.

Physics: Physics 200, 201, 202, 221, 321 and 353; Engineering 210; one additional course in physics or engineering; Biology 101 and either 102 or 103; Chemistry 101 and 105; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114 or 215; Mathematics 121 and 122.

For further information, contact the Biology Department.