The Science of Learning Translated into the Art of Teaching
In order to develop into a great first-year teacher, pre-service teachers must become ignited by the idea of teaching and learning, be involved in a deep practice of the craft and science of teaching, and be carefully coached and mentored in that practice. Arcadia University’s School of Education programs are guided by this belief and the research that supports it. Our professors are dedicated to designing meaningful and rich courses that are connected to essential fieldwork which is mentored by classroom teachers, professors, and supervisors.
Arcadia University Education students will:
- Hone their teaching skills through mentored guided practice , starting in the first Education course.
- Enjoy camaraderie, idea sharing, and collaboration with other students and faculty in Arcadia’s close-knit undergraduate programs.
- Have an opportunity to explore global learning and teaching experiences through Arcadia’s accessible and acclaimed study abroad program
At the end of undergraduate studies, pre-service teachers will have the skills needed to design meaningful and rich learning opportunities for PreK-12 students and have a sophisticated understanding of 21st Century teaching and learning.
School of Education Program Highlights
- More than 20 certification programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
- Extensive fieldwork and student teaching partnerships with urban and suburban schools
- Opportunities to study abroad
- Institutional grants to collaborate with faculty on research and opportunities to present at regional, national, and international conferences
- Membership opportunities in honorary societies such as Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honorary Society in Education and Phi Kappa Phi Arcadia University Honor Society
- Student memberships in state and local professional education organizations such as the Pennsylvania State Education Association
Leadership and Recognition
Arcadia University has been awarded state grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Division of Special Education to train teachers statewide in inclusive practices at the Arcadia Annual Inclusion Institute and in Positive Behavior Supports for schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Science Foundation awarded Arcadia major funding to train special educators and secondary English, social studies, science, and mathematics educators. Arcadia has been recognized and funded for its work in developing Professional Development Schools through the Lawrence J. and Anne Rubenstein Foundation and the Philadelphia Education Fund. The Autism Certificate Program is Endorsed by the Commonwealth of PA, and the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate leads to National Board certification with successful completion of an internship and passing the national Board exam. The School of Education was also awarded a state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop an undergraduate dual certification program in Secondary Education and Special Education.
Our graduates have received regional and statewide recognition for the work they do after graduation. Graduates of Arcadia’s Education program are currently employed or have been employed across the nation and in international locations.
Teacher Certification Interstate Agreements Information
Pennsylvania has signed the Interstate Agreement (NASDTEC) with most other states/jurisdictions based upon mutually agreed-upon conditions. The contract provides for acceptance of state-approved educator preparation programs between certain states to facilitate educator mobility. All jurisdictions that participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement may choose to have additional requirements for educators who are coming from another jurisdiction.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE TEACHER CANDIDATES: Each state is responsible for its own certification/licensure requirements, which may change without notice to NASDTEC or your university's certification officers or your state's office of certification. You must contact the office of certification in any state to which you may be relocating to get the most accurate information on certification requirements.
The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement facilitates the mobility of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NASDTEC and have signed the Agreement. Although there may be conditions applicable to individual jurisdictions, the Agreement makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction. For a full explanation of the agreement, participating states, and a review of specific state-by-state requirements visit the webpage for the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INTERSTATE AGREEMENT
Requirements for Art Education Certification
Students in the B.F.A. degree program can earn Instructional I teaching certification in Art K-12. This certification provides a skilled background in the technical and historical aspects of art education as a prerequisite to teaching art in grades K-12. The program emphasizes all arts as a means of arriving at aesthetic experiences. Since students are required to take additional education courses in teacher certification in order to meet the certification requirements, additional time may be required to earn certification.
Required Coursework Beyond the B.F.A. Requirements
PA Code, Chapter 354 Content Area Coursework
The English and mathematics courses required for admission into certification program (16 credits).
- EN 101 Thought and Expression I (4 credits)
- EN 229 Voices of America (4 credits) or an equivalent American or English literature course. (Meets Undergraduate Curriculum Areas of Inquiry: Cultural Legacies requirement.)
- Two Courses in Mathematics, beyond the remedial level. Choose any two below. (These courses also meet the Undergraduate Curriculum Intellectual Practices: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.)
- MA 110 Pre-Calculus Mathematics
- MA 117 Mathematical Concepts I
- MA 118 Mathematical Concepts II
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
Six Education Courses
- ED 110 Teaching for Learning (3 credits) (Complete before applying into teacher certification program; Meets Undergraduate Curriculum Areas of Inquiry: Self and Society requirement)
- ED 212 Child and Youth Development (3 credits) + Lab (Meets Undergraduate Curriculum Areas of Inquiry: Self and Society requirement)
- ED 306 Strategies for Emergent and Content Literacy: K-12 (3 credits)
- ED 315 Differentiated Instruction (3 credits) + Lab
- US 324 Understanding Language Learning: Using Two Languages To Engage with the World (Meets Undergraduate Curriculum Intellectual Practices: Writing requirement)
- ED 375 Managing an Inclusive Classroom (3 credits)
Two Art Education Courses, with Labs
Art Education courses may count towards the three additional required advanced-level Studio electives. See B.F.A. requirements.
- AE 300 The Uses of Theory in Art Education + Lab
- AE 308 Curriculum Design in Art Education + Lab
Student Teaching Requirements
- ED 387 Pre-Student Teaching (3 credits)
- AE 419 Undergraduate Student Teaching Practicum, Art Education, K-12 (12 credits) (Crosslisted as ED 419)
Requirements for All Certification Undergraduate Program Candidates
All undergraduates seeking PA Certification must meet the same requirements for admission, testing, and exit. See the School of Education section of the catalog for more information.
Connect and Care Beyond the Classroom
Meet our award-winning faculty, who make students central to their work. What does this mean for you?
- Advising that bears in mind your personal circumstances and challenges.
- Frequent opportunities to talk to faculty about your courses, professional growth, and life.
- Faculty who get to know each student on a personal level.
Faculty Who Model Best Practices in Teaching
Our faculty model best practices in teaching, which will allow you to:
- Learn the material while also cultivating meaningful teaching practices from your experience as a student in your courses, and
- Observe the example set forth by your professors.
