Elementary/Middle Grades (4-8) Education Major
The Elementary/Middle Grades (4-8) Education major is an accredited program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements for teacher certification in Grade 4-8. The program is aligned with PDE requirements for certification. Throughout the program, students integrate theory with practice through coursework and field experiences in 4-8 classrooms in local schools.
The undergraduate Teacher Education programs are built upon a strong liberal arts curriculum provided through the Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) at Saint Joseph’s University. This enables students to integrate their understanding of interdisciplinary content with an understanding of developmentally appropriate pedagogy.
Goal 1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of young adolescent learner development.
Outcome 1.1: The student will understand and accurately interpret key concepts, principles, theories, and research about young adolescent development in social context.
Outcome 1.2: The student will identify the diverse developmental needs and abilities of 4-8 learners.
Goal 2: The student will understand and use the central concepts, standards, research, and structures of content to plan and implement curriculum that develops all young adolescents’ competence in subject matter.
Outcome 2.1: The student will describe and explain the philosophical foundations of middle level education and apply this knowledge in analyzing classroom management and instructional design.
Goal 3: The student will understand and use developmentally appropriate instructional strategies.
Outcome 3.1: The student will describe and analyze a range of specific teaching strategies and apply them appropriately in instructional planning, modifying their use based on the unique learning needs of middle school students.
Outcome 3.2: The student will demonstrate a practiced habit of self-analysis and collaboration with students and colleagues to assess the impact of instruction on student motivation and learning and will adjust teaching accordingly.
Goal 4: The student will demonstrate understanding and effective use of multiple methods of assessment.
Outcome 4.1: The student will define and describe types of valid and reliable educational assessments (including screening, diagnostic, formative, summative, and authentic) and identify strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate uses associated with each.
Outcome 4.2: The student will analyze and interpret assessment data to understand patterns and gaps in learning, to guide planning and instruction, and to provide meaningful feedback to learners and their guardians.
Goal 5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of educating for social justice.
Outcome 5.1: The student will describe key elements of interacting positively and respectfully with those of different racial, ethnic, language, and socioeconomic backgrounds and sexual orientations.
Outcome 5.2: The student will identify and describe practices and policies that reinforce inequalities and undermine 4-8 student learning, as well as steps that can be taken to challenge such practices in order to create a more just society.
INTASC Standards
Standard #1: Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard #2: Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard #3: Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
Standard #4: Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard #5: Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Standard #6: Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard #7: Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard #8: Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Recommended CCC Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | ||
ENG Literature Course | ||
| Diversity | ||
| Schools in Society w/ Field | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Cognition & Learning w/ Field | ||
| Writing Intensive | ||
| Cognition & Learning w/ Field | ||
| Mission-Overlay | ||
| Intro to Special Edu w/Field | ||
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 151 | Cognition & Learning w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 157 | Adolescent Development w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 231 | Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 247 | Literacy in Cont Areas w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 471 | Writing in the Classroom | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
| SPE 379 | Fam School & Comm:Diverse Soc | 3 |
| One required Instructional Techniques course (Two other Instructional Techniques Courses or Content Area courses (check concentration curriculum worksheet) | 9 | |
| Instr Techniq English w/Field | ||
| Instr Techniq Soc St w/Field | ||
| Instr Techniq Math w/Field | ||
| Instr Techniq Science w/Field | ||
| Student Teaching | ||
| EDU 496 | Student Teaching 4-8 | 12 |
4-8 Major Additional Content Requirements
Students who complete the 4-8 program can be certified to teach all subjects in grades 5-6. They must choose one or two disciplines and take additional introductory and advanced courses in order to be certified to teach the selected subject(s) in grades 7-8. The following options are available:
Option 1: One concentration and three generalist academic content areas
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1A: English/Language Arts/Reading | ||
| Option 1B: Mathematics | ||
| Option 1C: Science | ||
| Option 1D: Social Studies | ||
This option for teacher candidates is to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in one of the four content areas of mathematics, science, English/language arts and reading or social studies as well as 12 credits in each of the two remaining content areas.
Option 2: Concentration in two content areas
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option 2A: English/Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics | ||
| Option 2B: Science and Mathematics | ||
Free Electives
Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.