Education - Elementary and Middle School (Grades 4 - 8)

Overview

Saint Joseph's University's undergraduate teacher education programs are built upon a strong liberal arts curriculum, helping students integrate their understanding of interdisciplinary content with child and adolescent learning.

What is an Elementary and Middle School Education Major (Grades 4 -8)?

At Saint Joseph's University, faculty members in the education department are dedicated to helping future teachers understand adolescent minds. Courses within the department concentrate on social studies, science, mathematics and English literacy. Additionally, there is a focus on elementary and middle school education courses that emphasize instructional techniques, adolescent development and the role of schools in society.

As an elementary and middle school education major, you will balance theory and practice in teaching-related courses. Most education courses provide the opportunity to investigate effective teaching methods and research while participating in field experiences in local schools.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Education?

Once you complete your education major and take your Praxis exams to earn Level 1 certification, you can become a classroom teacher, helping to shape young minds. Your Saint Joseph's education will prepare you to teach in public, private or parochial school settings.

Earn Your Teacher Certification

Students who successfully complete the program, maintain a GPA of 3.0 and pass the required PRAXIS exam (a knowledge and skills assessment exam required for certification) can apply for Pennsylvania Level 1 teacher certification. This certification is good for six years of teaching before renewal.

How Will Saint Joseph's University Prepare You For a Career in Education?

FIELD EXPERIENCES AND STUDENT TEACHING

The Office of Student Teaching and Field Experiences coordinates field placement in K-12 schools, as well as full-time, 14-week student-teaching placement.

Many education courses at Saint Joseph's University involve a field component to prepare you for your student-teaching experience. In these courses, you will spend three hours per week in an elementary or middle school classroom. Field experience requirements increase in responsibility from first observing teachers in their area of study, then assisting with small group work and finally preparing and teaching lesson plans.

Saint Joseph's teacher education and special education departments have strong relationships with local public, charter and private schools and manage this field component for students. These departments emphasize a strong commitment to urban education and a preferential option for low-income families.

SERVICE LEARNING

As an education major, you will have the option to take service-learning classes. These classes combine academics with experience and reflection. Lectures, textbook reading and tests are augmented by service practice with schools and non-profit agencies in the Philadelphia area.

STUDY ABROAD

The education department has a strong commitment to study abroad. Many of our students have the opportunity to study student education in an international context in such locations as Denmark, Ireland and Spain.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Kappa Delta Pi - The Saint Joseph's chapter of the international honors society in education
Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Continue Your Study in Education

Saint Joseph's offers a variety of advanced degree options to help graduates advance their careers, including:

View Curriculum and Courses

Education - Early Childhood, PK-4

Students who major in early childhood education at Saint Joseph’s University focus their studies on child development, building educational foundations, the role of schools in society, and the assessment and evaluation of learning and progress.

Education - Elementary/PK-4 & Special Education Dual Major

The dual Education PK-4 and Special Education program will prepare you to teach pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, serving classrooms of all abilities. You will learn how to manage a classroom and effectively teach but also learn how your role as an educator can make a difference in the community. In-class coursework is combined with weekly field experiences in local classrooms from the first year of study through the fourth, and graduates move forward with a strong background of hands-on experience. This program leads to Level 1 Teaching certification in Pennsylvania.

Education - Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)

The secondary education major at Saint Joseph's prepares future high school teachers (grades 7-12). Earn a dual major and become a teacher of English, biology, chemistry, history, mathematics, physics, French, Italian, classical studies (Latin) or Spanish. This program leads to Level 1 Teaching certification in Pennsylvania.