Education

Clinical Experiences

An important component of educator preparation is developmental and sequential field experience, beginning with observation and culminating in student teaching. During clinical experiences candidates develop a sense of professional identity as educators, develop an understanding of the professional culture of schools, adopt professional practices, and conduct themselves in accordance with the policies and procedures of the school and district in which their placements occur.  The Director of Clinical Experiences works with academic departments to place students in schools where SEHD has clinical partnerships for field experiences, pre-student teaching, and student teaching. Students are required to complete clearances before any placements can occur.

Clearances

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all pre-service teachers participating in clinical experiences (i.e.,  pre-student teaching, student teaching, practicum & internship, field experiences) to obtain clearances prior to beginning their placements in a PK12 school setting. Clearances must be obtained prior to placement and remain valid through the end of the placement. Clearances are valid for three years from the start of the first semester. Students must obtain updated clearances prior to student teaching. Students are responsible for updating their clearances as they progress through the academic program. 

• All students must obtain PA clearances.  
• Graduate students who are employed full-time with a school district (not on an emergency certificate), can provide a letter on school letterhead signed by either Human Resources, the Principal, or the Superintendent verifying that their clearances are submitted and in good standing with the school/district. 
• Students should maintain a copy of clearances documentation for their records.

Required clearances:

• FBI Criminal History Report
• PA State Criminal History Record (Act 34)
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
• Proof of Tuberculin Skin Test

Required child abuse training to be completed during clearances process:

• Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct (valid for five calendar years)

Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34)

To submit an online request for a Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34), visit, https://epatch.state.pa.us. You will be able to log-in again within a few days and access your clearance. If you pick 'volunteer' as reason for applying for a clearance, the first clearance should be free of charge. There is a charge for future additional clearances.

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)

To complete the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151) form, visit https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home. You will be able to log-in again within a few days and access your clearance. If you pick 'volunteer' as reason for applying for a clearance, the first clearance should be free of charge. You will have to pay for future additional clearances.

FBI Criminal History Report

To register online for the Federal FBI Criminal History Report, visit https://uenroll.identogo.com/. You must use the Service Code 1KG6RT to apply for the clearance. Applicants must register prior to going to the fingerprinting site location and schedule a fingerprinting session at the selected location. Locations of fingerprinting sites can also be found by clicking the link above. You will be able to log-in again within a few days and access your unofficial clearance. The unofficial clearance will suffice for uploading to Canvas and presenting for field experience clearances. Note: The actual FBI clearance stating any criminal history is required, not a copy of student fingerprints. Fingerprinting must be completed at a site in Pennsylvania.

Tuberculin Skin Test

Students can obtain a proof of Tuberculin Skin Test by visiting the Student Health Center in Quirk Hall on the SJU campus or from a primary care provider.

Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct

Students are required to complete training in child abuse reporting practices. Instructions and the link to the Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct  can be found https://learn.ue.org/HH0E1593465/SJUProtectingChildren.  Upon completion of the training, students receive a certificate that should be submitted with additional clearances document.

Field Experiences

Clinical experiences that occur at the beginning of a student’s training are referred to as field experiences. Specific courses within the educator preparation curriculum require students to complete observations and/or participate in microteaching experiences of theory, pedagogy and other relevant topics in school settings as part of the course requirements. In methods courses, candidates apply pedagogical practice in specific content areas under the guidance of school based teachers.

Pre-Student Teaching

Prior to the student teaching semester, students will be evaluated by a university supervisor who will conduct at least one formal observation of their teaching in a field based classroom setting. Students must apply for pre-student teaching and must successfully complete the pre-student teaching experience in order to progress through this gate to student teaching. Eligibility is based on good academic standing as determined by a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and successful completion of all prerequisite courses.

Student Teaching

During the student teaching semester, candidates are fully immersed in a classroom setting with guidance and support from a school based cooperating teacher and a university based supervisor while concurrently enrolled in a university based seminar course. Students will be evaluated by a university supervisor who will conduct at least four formal observations of their teaching in a field based classroom setting. Students must apply for student teaching. Eligibility is based on good academic standing as determined by a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and successful completion of all prerequisite courses, including the pre-student teaching observation.

Dispositional check process for candidates

Students applying for entrance into an educational program leading to certification will be required to complete disposition self reflections and will be assessed at multiple points about dispositions by a supervisor and/or instructor/advisor. Consistent with the conceptual framework, the educator preparation program evaluates dispositions in students in the following domains:

• Intellectual curiosity and reflection
• Communication skills
• Professionalism
• Collaboration
• Ethical behavior
• Social justice orientation

If students are found to need improvement or are demonstrating concerning behaviors in one of these domains, the program will develop a plan of action to address concerns. The plan of action may include additional learning experiences, additional observation and reflection, or in some cases counseling out of the program and into another area of study.

Professional Testing Requirements for Certification and Licensure

In addition to completing the prescribed program of study for certification in their respective areas, candidates are also required to successfully complete standardized tests in order to qualify for professional licenses and certifications. Testing requirements vary from state to state; therefore candidates must be alert to the requirements for any state in which they wish to be certified. Saint Joseph’s University’s educator preparation programs are aligned with Pennsylvania testing requirements.

Applying for Certification and Licensure

Saint Joseph’s University’s educator preparation programs are aligned with Pennsylvania testing requirements. The certification officer for the School of Education and Human Development reviews, validates and fulfills all requests for certification and licensure. Candidates are encouraged to apply for certification as close to program completion as possible. Candidates applying for certification are required to meet certification requirements set by PDE at the time of their application for certification. Students may be required to complete additional coursework and/or field work to meet certification requirements. Students with coursework older than five years will also be reviewed by the program director for their certification area.

Student Score Reports

Students applying for certification in Pennsylvania must request that all test scores be sent directly from the testing company to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). This is free of charge at the time of registration. PDE will only accept scores that have been received directly from the testing company. SJU will submit SAT and ACT scores to PDE after candidates provide evidence of their scores to the School of Education and Human Development, Director of Assessment.

All students in programs leading to initial educator certification are required to be formally admitted into education programs. This formal admission is in addition to the admission to Saint Joseph’s University. Formal admission is a gateway called Admission to Candidacy. This status is granted by the School of Education and Human Development after students have met specific program and Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements. Candidacy status is required before eligibility to take specific courses, including student teaching, and these courses are indicated by prerequisites within the course catalog. Students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of future educators. 

Admission to Candidacy Process:

• Undergraduate students typically apply by January 31 of their sophomore year using an online application. Undergraduate students, including transfer students, should contact their faculty advisor with questions about admission to candidacy. Students are required to meet with their advisors prior to applying for candidacy. A copy of the application form, completed by the student, is provided to the student’s academic advisor. Students will be notified about their Educator Preparation Program application status.
• Graduate students and students in 4+1 programs are evaluated for candidacy at application to the program. Graduate students should contact the graduate faculty program director with questions about admission to candidacy in graduate programs, including 4+1 programs.

Admission to Candidacy Requirements:

Undergraduate Students

• Complete at least 45 credit hours (including transfer credits)
• Complete English 101 and English 102
• Complete 6 credit hours in mathematics (SJU General Education Program (GEP) requires 3 credit hours of mathematics that may apply towards the total 6 credit hours required by the Education Program)
• Earn a B- average (2.7) or better in all major courses taken
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Achieve a qualifying score on a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved assessment for the Basic Skills Testing  Requirements in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics or satisfy the requirements through the alternatives policy. Questions about qualifying scores can be directed to the Assistant Dean of Assessment and Clinical Experiences in the School of Education and Human Development. PDE approved assessments include:
  • PAPA
  • SAT
  • ACT
  • ETS Academic Core

* Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment moratorium waives the requirement to satisfactory Basic Skills assessment from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. 

Graduate Students

• Complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of at least 3.0 
• For art education, foreign language education and middle or secondary education students, provide evidence of completion of an undergraduate major, or required prerequisite coursework, in their chosen certification area
• Graduate students should speak with their program directors regarding the timing of PDE required certification examinations during their programs of study.