Social Studies Teacher Certification for History Majors

Penn State Behrend has worked out an agreement with Edinboro University that allows Behrend political science and history majors to complete all their social studies content coursework at Behrend and then to complete graduate-level coursework at Edinboro in order to obtain Pennsylvania teacher certification in secondary social studies. The Edinboro education coursework and student teaching can potentially be completed within one calendar year. Additional coursework can also be completed in order to earn a master’s degree at Edinboro.

Edinboro University Admission Requirements

  1. Complete a graduate application (gradschool.edinboro.edu/apply)
  2. Application fee of $30
  3. Submit an official transcript
  4. Minimum 2.80 undergraduate GPA

** For students with a GPA below 2.80, a score from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Additional information may be requested after a review of your transcripts.

All admission materials should be sent to:

Edinboro University
School of Graduate Studies & Research
140 Butterfield Hall
310 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444

If you have any questions, contact:

Brenda Abreu-Baker
814-732-1744
[email protected]

Financial Assistance

Teacher certification students at Edinboro University are not eligible for graduate-level loans unless they are also admitted into a master’s degree program. If you have exhausted the maximum amount at the undergraduate level, you will not be eligible for Stafford Loan Funding. Additional information about financial aid is available through the Edinboro Office of Financial Aid. Please call 814-732-2821 or email [email protected].

Penn State Behrend Coursework

History majors may satisfy several of the course requirements to enter the Social Studies Teaching Certification program by taking the following courses as part of their HSTBA requirements.

  • HIST 10 World History until 1820 (3)
  • HIST 11 World History since 1820 (3)
  • HIST 20 American History to 1877 (3)
  • HIST 21 American History since 1877 (3)
  • HIST 301W Scope and Methods of History (3)
  • HIST 4** Choose at least one U.S. history course at the 400-level (3)
  • HIST 4** Choose at least one World history course at the 400-level (3)
  • HIST 4** Choose at least one additional history course at the 400-level (3)
  • ANTH 45N Cultural Diversity: A Global Perspective

History majors must also take the following courses that can be counted toward general education requirements (GS), B.A. degree requirements, or as electives. Taking such courses can easily be completed within the 124 credits needed to complete a Penn State Behrend history degree in four years.

  • ECON 102 Introductory Microeconomics (GS)
  • ECON 104 Introductory Macroeconomics (GS)
  • GEOG – any 3-credit course
  • PL SC 1 American Politics (GS)
  • PL SC 3 Comparing Politics Around the Globe (GS)
  • PL SC 482 American State and Urban Politics – *This course fulfills two of Edinboro’s required courses on PA state and local politics
  • PSYCH 100 Introduction to Psychology (GS)
  • PSYCH 221 Introduction to Social Psychology (GS)
  • SOC 001 Introduction to Sociology (GS)
  • C I 295 Introductory Field Experience for Teachers

Edinboro University Coursework

Professional Education Courses for Certification:

  • SPED725 Seminar in Mild to Moderate Disabilities
  • SPED710 Seminar in Exceptionalities
  • SEDU702 Teaching in Contemporary Multicultural Classroom
  • SEDU606 Content Literacy in Mid./Sec. School
  • SEDU700 Educational Assessment in Mid./Sec.
  • SEDU731 Applications of Technology Integration in Education
  • SEDU691 Classroom Management in 7-12
  • SEDU684 Instructional Techniques for the Teaching of English
  • SEDU695 Student Teaching 
  • SEDU692 Seminar on Teaching Adolescents
  • SEDU676 Field Experience

Courses in addition to 600 & 700 level listed above needed to complete Master in Education in Teacher Leadership:

  • EDLR 700 Introduction to Educational Leadership
  • EDLR 720 Dynamics and Processes for Leading Change
  • EDLR 731 School and Community Relations
  • EDLR 741 Curriculum Leadership
  • EDLR 770 Action Research for Teacher Leadership
  • EDLR 775 Educational Leadership Theory and Practice

Additional Requirements

While attending Penn State Behrend:

  • Consult with your academic adviser throughout your Penn State Behrend career to meet undergraduate requirements.
  • Obtain Teacher Clearances at edinboro.edu/teacher-clearances
  • Apply to Edinboro University, final semester of senior year. Graduate with a B.A. degree from Penn State Behrend.

Contacts

  • Amy Carney, Penn State Behrend, History
    814-898-6304 | [email protected]
  • Robert Speel, Penn State Behrend, Political Science
    814-898-6206 | [email protected]
  • Emily Artello, Penn State Behrend, Exploratory and Pre-Major Advising
    814-898-6164 | [email protected]
  • Brenda Abreu-Baker, Edinboro University Graduate Admissions Coordinator
    814-732-1744 | [email protected]