Secondary Education
B.S.Ed. Secondary Education
Preparing the next generation of secondary teachers.
The B.S.Ed. Secondary Education certificate programs at Kutztown University provide teacher candidates with the skills and tools for effective education of secondary students, as well as knowledge of their academic specialization. Our teacher candidates will:
- Gain professional and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
- Learn to encourage active participation in learning and class time through effective lesson planning.
- Be prepared to take on leadership roles in education and advocate for social justice.
- Learn to use Restorative Justice as a classroom management model.
ACADEMIC SPECIALIZATIONS:
We currently offer 11 academic specializations in grades 7-12 certification. Specializations denoted with an asterisk (*) are available as a PK-12 Special Education dual certification program.
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Biology*
This program focuses on investigations, laboratory, and field studies. Kutztown’s beautiful campus and surrounding areas will be home to some of the in-depth and diverse observations that students will take part of in order to study this natural science.
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Chemistry
Specific science courses must be taken to ensure that students are fully prepared to teach this multi-faceted natural science. These courses include Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Calculus, Analytical Chemistry, and Physics.
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Computer Science
We offer one of the first computer science teacher preparation programs in PA. As the number of secondary schools that offer computer science coursework grows, it is imperative that teachers in those classrooms possess the unique content knowledge and pedagogical skills required to effectively engage students in learning computer science content and developing computational thinking.
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Computer Science & Mathematics
As the number of secondary schools that offer computer science coursework grows, it is imperative that teachers in those classrooms possess the unique content knowledge and pedagogical skills required to effectively engage students in learning computer science content and developing computational thinking. This program includes the opportunity to earn a dual certificate in Mathematics as well.
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Earth and Space Science*
Classes such as Astronomy, Meteorology, and Historical Geology are taken to ensure that Earth & Space Science teachers are well-versed in their subject matter and ready to pass this knowledge on to their students at a professional level.
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English*
This program requires students to examine areas of language and composition in preparation to teach this vital subject area. Classes include experience in British, American, and world literature; linguistics; and teaching writing.
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General Science*
Biology, Zoology, and Physical Geology are part of a list of required courses that students concentrating in General Science will take. These students will experience a wide variety of courses in scientific areas to improve their understanding of a specific subject matter.
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Mathematics*
Computer science, geometry, probability, and calculus courses, among many others, will be explored by those choosing this program. Mathematics courses are both theory and application-based in order to provide students with a rich understanding of this intricate subject.
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Physics & Mathematics
As a dual certificate program, Physics & Mathematics majors experience courses in both areas to prepare them for teaching. These include classes such as Modern Physics I, Calculus II, and Abstract Algebra I.
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Physics
Students partake in a range of courses in physics with strong supporting courses in mathematics. As faculty-led research is provided at a great level, Physics students will receive exceptional preparation for becoming a physics teacher.
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Social Studies*
This program consists of courses in History, Geography, Civics & Government, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, and Psychology. Graduates will be certified to teach all of these subjects in grades 7-12.
Additional Program Information:
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Clinical Model Flow Chart
Restorative justice as a classroom management model is embedded in each course.
- First Year:
- Pre-Candidacy Field Experiences:   During these field experiences, students are observers and/or participants in a variety of education and education-related settings with a focus on secondary schools.
- Achieve Teacher Candidacy by 48 Credits: Candidacy requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a grade of C or above in two Math courses, one Composition course, and one English Literature course.
- Obtain Clearances: Act 34, Act 151, Act 114, Act 126 and TB testing uploaded to D2L.
- Sophomore Year:
- Principles of Learning and Clinical Placement (SEED 312 & 313): Weekly urban middle school assignment with cohort and supervisor.
- Junior Year:
- Principles of Teaching and Clinical Placement (SEU 342 & 343): Weekly suburban or rural high school assignment with cohort and supervisor.
- Senior Year:
- Instructional Methods (SEED 410, 422, 425, 426 or 430): Separated by content area, these courses focus on the theories, methods, strategies, materials, and assessment procedures for effective teaching and learning in a secondary classroom.
- Clinical Experience & Practicum (SEED 390 & 391): Full-time student teaching placement in a secondary education classroom according to area of certification and weekly meetings with cohort and supervisor.
- First Year:
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Pre-Candidacy Field Experiences
Secondary Education students will be enrolled in a PCFE D2L shell. Please refer there for more detailed information. Find the full directions for PCFE here and see the PCFE checksheet to track progress.
Pre-Candidacy Field Experiences (PCFE) refers to the first stage of field experience required of students in Secondary Education certification programs. During PCFE, students are observers and/or participants in a variety of educational settings (e.g., classrooms, community organizations, professional development opportunities) with a focus on secondary schools. These field experiences are meant to provide students with opportunities to can learn as much as possible about secondary school learners and learning environments.  
Students are expected to document and submit their PCFE by the time they reach 48 credits and earn teacher candidacy. Students can complete these requirements in any order. See the menu below for PCFE options.
Documenting & Submitting Experiences
Students will document completion of their experiences and submit the work to D2L. Templates for submitting work are available on D2L to download. As you complete activities, fill in the details on these templates and then upload when you have completed a section’s requirements. You will need to make sure to upload all three sections before you take SEED 313.For transfer students, the department chair will determine a possibly modified timeline for completion of PCFE and/or to evaluate field experiences already completed.
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Section 1: Understanding the Profession of Teaching
Complete all experiences in this section.
- Visit Kutztown University’s Career Development Center (Stratton 113)
- Attend a school board meeting
- Interview a Secondary School teacher
- Observe a Secondary School (Grades 7-12) classroom
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Section 2: Developing My Understanding of Diversity
Complete 3 experiences from this section.
- Observe a Secondary School (Grades 7-12) ESL classroom (read this article)
- Observe a Secondary School (Grades 7-12) Special Education (inclusion/self-contained) classroom (read this article)
- Attend a diversity-focused conference
- Attend three (3) on-campus cultural/diversity-focused lectures/film screenings
- Interview a Special Education teacher
- Complete a Teaching Tolerance module
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Section 3: My Professional Self
Complete 3 experiences from this section.
- Attend a national, state, or regional/local education conference OR a university-sponsored or school-sponsored professional development conference
- Complete an education-based online training/webinar from the PA Department of Education Standards Aligned System (SAS)
- Volunteer for an organization (minimum 5 hours)
- Volunteer as a student facilitator
- Complete teacher professional development training at other websites
For more information on B.S.Ed. Secondary Education programs, please contact the department at secondaryeducation@kutztown.edu.