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 105, 150, 241, 282, 305, 470 and 490. Education certification also requires two English courses (one writing and one literature) and two math courses.

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. The specific requirements for each concentration are:

Biology: A minimum of 24 credit hours in biology, which must include Biology 111, 112 and 211; two courses selected from Biology 235, 313/313L, 331, 332, 341 and 347; one course selected from Biology 321 or 324/324L; Chemistry 105 and 113; Physics 103 and 104; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114, 215 and Physics 212; two courses selected from Mathematics 117, 121 or 251; and Education 105, 150, 241, 282, 305, 470 and 490.

Chemistry: A minimum of 24 credits in chemistry, which must include Chemistry 105, 113, 114, 214; and eight hours from among Chemistry 116, 242, 323, 324, 326, 327, 343, 344, 354; Biology 111, 112; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114, 215 or Physics 212; Physics 200, 201; Mathematics 121, 122; and Education 105, 150, 241, 282, 305, 470 and 490.

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, 105; two courses from Earth Science 113, 114, 215 or Physics 212; Mathematics 121, 122; and Education 105, 150, 241, 282, 305, 470 and 490.

For further information, contact the Biology Department.