Education

• Chatham has been named a 2019-2020 Top Education College of Distinction, recognizing the program for its expert blending of the liberal arts with professional programming in education.
• All students complete a capstone seminar in which they conduct an action research project at a local school under close faculty guidance. Action research is a systematic process that educators use to improve student outcomes and school environments. Chatham is one of the few universities across the country that offers such an independent and student-driven program.
• Earn your Pennsylvania certification and be prepared for advanced studies.

Perspectives on Education

Students examine how an education system and society shape one another. Topics include the purpose of school in society; how social constructs (i.e. race, gender) interact with the education system; issues of power and control; the role of technology, and how we can provide an education for all that promotes equity and sustainability.

Pedagogical Practices

This course focuses on the characteristics of effective teaching practices and examines different instructional models that effective teachers help students learn. Students are first introduced to these models and then practice teaching using the models they learn.  The course also discusses best practices that align for education for sustainability and equity such as backwards design, performance assessment, and project based learning.  Students learn how to create instruction for diverse groups of students so that all might succeed in the classroom. 

Diverse Family and Professional Partnerships

This course provides students with an understanding of issues pertaining to student diversity and also examines partnerships and relationships between communities, schools, students and parents. Students will develop an understanding of how socially constructed categories such as race, sexuality, and nationality emerge, evolve, inform, and affect the individual, schools, families and communities. This course prepares students for responsible citizenship in a global community.

View Course Catalog

Admission requirements are set by Chatham University, House Bill 1816, Chapter 354 of the Pennsylvania School Code and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

*Advance Standing Undergraduate Admission to Education Programs Requirements

In accordance with House Bill 1816 and Chapter 354 regulations, all undergraduate students must apply for Advanced Standing by the time they have attempted 48 credits.  This includes any student wishing to earn certification in the state of Pennsylvania; PreK-4, Secondary content areas, K-12 Art, etc. Transfer students must apply for Advanced Standing prior to taking education courses at Chatham.  As stated in House Bill 1816 and Chapter 354 regulations, education students who do not apply for Advanced Standing and/or who do not meet the minimum requirements of Advanced Standing as required by PDE are NOT permitted to continue taking education courses.

In order to be considered for advanced standing a student:

1. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA
2. Pass or show evidence of passing one of the basic skills exams required by PDE
3. Complete six credits of English (composition and literature) at the 100 level or higher
4. Complete six credits of math at the 100 level or higher
5. Completed Undergraduate Application for Advanced Standing
6. Must have two letters of recommendation:
   
   1. One letter must be from a Chatham University Education faculty member
   2. One letter must be from a professional reference OR another faculty
7. Recommendation from Chatham University’s Education Department

Please note that students may be conditionally accepted to the program for any reason, including poor academic performance, excessive tardiness and absenteeism and other reasons. 

By the end of the specific program, students must earn an overall 3.0 GPA, produce a B- or better in all certification coursework at the graduate level and a C- or better at the undergraduate level, complete all field work including practicum or student teaching, pass the appropriate Certification Test for their area of certification and all University requirements.

All required and elective courses for certification assess the students via portfolios, class presentations, course projects, papers exams, and field experiences. Upon completion of the program students will possess a full library of notebooks containing course notes handouts assignments and other information gathered during each course. All coursework is aligned with Pennsylvania Department of Education Requirements and Competencies as well as Academic Standards and Anchors.

As part of the practicum experience, students will earn a minimum of 4 on the PDE 430 form and not earn a 0 in any category.

Additionally, in order to become certified in the state of Pennsylvania, students will have to successfully pass the appropriate certification tests for their area.

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Chatham University is committed to supporting its graduates from this program. The Alumni office and the Education department communicate with former students about employment activities, speakers on campus, trainings, local and regional conferences and classes that support professional development. In addition, the faculty are available to mentor former graduates upon request. All student information is updated yearly.