Associate of Arts

This program prepares the student for transfer to a four-year institution for teacher certification in grades four to eight or seven to 12. Students are offered a broad college background along with skills and knowledge necessary for Middle Level and Secondary Certification.

Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance.

Graduates achieving a minimum of 3.0 GPA are eligible to transfer to a Bachelor’s degree program in Education, leading to Middle Level or Secondary Teacher certification. Teacher certification candidates must successfully pass the required Preservice Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or PRAXIS Core Academics Skills for Educators exams.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Identify current PA teacher certification requirements, including the development of a professional portfolio and demonstrate behaviors appropriate to the profession.
2. Classify learning theories and psychological principles in relation to the development of an educational philosophy and pedagogical practices.
3. Describe the role of the classroom teacher in observing and meeting the needs of all students including those with sensory, behavioral, physical, language, cognitive, cultural and learning differences.
4. Utilize resources, materials and technology for the classroom, including, but not limited to the Pennsylvania Department of Education resources, (i.e., academic standards).