Education: Secondary Math/Science Option

Description:

The Education curriculum prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions by introducing them to the field of education while guiding them through a coherent sequence of liberal arts and sciences courses. By doing this, they prepare for careers in the field of education. After successful completion of this curriculum, students receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.

The Education: Secondary Math/Science Option is appropriate for students who plan to pursue careers in teaching mathematics, science or related fields in secondary schools.

The Education curriculum has many transfer agreements with baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the region. Because transfer institutions require specific courses to be taken prior to entry, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer, as well as their advisors, in order to make appropriate selections for their elective courses. According to Pennsylvania mandates under Chapter 354, students will need a 3.0 G.P.A. for entry into teacher certification courses. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before entry into upper level teacher certification courses at the transfer institution.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

  • Identify career options open to an individual with a background in math and science education and describe the types and components of state teacher certification exams. 
  • Apply theories of adolescent development and cognitive processes to enhance student learning 
  • Explain the history of the secondary education model in the United States, including its governance and financial structures, social and cultural mores, and philosophical perspectives 
  • Demonstrate effective teaching strategies and techniques in areas such as classroom dynamics, teacher expectations, student motivation, and classroom management 
  • Develop electronic teacher portfolios (e-portfolios) using set guidelines established by the Department of Education 
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of technology for record keeping, parental communication, and differentiating instruction in secondary education environments. 
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

Program Entry Requirements:

Students are typically required to take the College's placement tests at their time of entry. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as a part of their degree program.

Since students in the Math/Science Option begin mathematics with Calculus I, it is necessary for those students who have not tested into this level of mathematics to take the prerequisite math courses (MATH 161 and MATH 162, or to have taken their equivalents at another college) either before enrolling or while enrolled in the program.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:

A minimum of 63 credits and a grade point average of 2.0 are required for graduation.

Course Sequence:

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
ENGL 101 - English Composition I   3 credits ENGL 101
MATH 171 - Calculus I MATH 162 or permission of dept. head 4 credits Mathematics
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology   3 credits Social Sciences
HIST 101 - U.S. History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - U.S. History: The 19th Century or
HIST 103 - U.S. History: The 20th Century*		   3 credits Humanities
Am/Global Diversity
Interpretive Studies
Writing Intensive
CIS 103 - Applications & Concepts *   3 credits Tech Comp

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
Content Elective (see chart below for choice of content electives)   4 or 5 credits Natural Science
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better 3 credits ENGL 102, Info Lit
MATH 172 - Calculus II MATH 171 4 credits  
ED 201 - Foundations of Education for Middle and Secondary Years ENGL 101 which may be taken concurrently 3 credits  

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
Content Elective (see chart below for choice of content electives)   4 or 5 credits  
Content Elective (see chart below for choice of content electives)   4 or 5 credits  
ED 214 - Cognition and Learning in the Classroom ENGL 101 and ED 105, or ED 201 3 credits  
PSYC 209 - Adolescent Psychology PSYC 101 3 credits  
Literature Elective or
HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions or HUM 102 - Cultural Traditions**		 ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently. 3 credits  

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
ED 265 - Introduction to Special Education and Inclusive Practices ED 105 or ED 201, & PSYC 201, or PSYC 209, or PSYC 215 3 credits  
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
ECON 181 - Principles of Economics (Macroeconomics) or
ECON 182 - Principles of Economics (Microeconomics) or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology		   3 credits  
ART 103 - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance or
ART 104 - History of Art: Renaissance to Modern or
MUS 103 - Introduction to Music or
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy or
World Language: any 100 or 200-level course1		   3 credits  
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking  ENGL 101 which may be taken concurrently 3 credits  
Content Elective (see chart below for choice of content electives)   4 or 5 credits  

Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:

63

* Consult with your advisor and use transfer worksheets to determine the best course choice.
** Literature is strongly recommended; consult with advisor and transfer worksheets for best choice of courses.

Content Electives

All students must take four content electives. Students may earn the Associate's degree with any combination of four of the courses listed on the chart below.

Students planning to teach secondary mathematics or physics should take the following content electives: Students planning to teach secondary chemistry should take the following content electives: Students planning to teach secondary biology or general science should take the following content electives:
Math 270 and 
Math 271 and 
PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 OR
PHYS 140 and 241		 CHEM 121, 122, 221, and 222 BIOL 123 and 124
CHEM 121 and 122

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

For More Information, Contact:

The Division of Liberal Studies, Room BR-21, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8450; or the College Information Center (215) 751-8010.