MAJOR IN PK-4 ELEMENTARY or 7-12 SECONDARY EDUCATION
Teacher Preparation in the Augustinian Tradition
Drawing inspiration from St. Augustine, who was himself a teacher, our undergraduate education programs prepare confident, inspired and caring educators who will lead professional lives exemplifying the intellectual and moral ideals embodied in the Catholic mission of Villanova University. Our programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to prepare candidates for Instructional Level I Certification in grades PK-4 and 7-12. The Augustinian ideals of Unitas, Caritas, and Veritas form the foundation on which our teacher education programs are built. Faculty aspire to create classroom spaces where students and faculty together form a community of learners (Unitas) who pursue truth (Veritas) in a spirit of mutual respect and care (Caritas).
Unitas: With a flexible cohort model, students take courses with peers in their area of concentration (elementary or secondary) as well as across concentrations. This means students have a community amongst elementary majors (PreK-4 focused classes) or secondary majors (classes focused specifically on grades 7-12) and also between these two groups. This way, students are a part of the Villanova community, the department community, and also have an even smaller crew to learn and grow alongside.
Caritas: Our department is dedicated to the success of each student. Students meet one on one with their faculty advisor at least twice a year, take field work courses as a cohort, engage with faculty who get to know them and their goals, and have additional opportunities to join the student education group, connect with other education students in our office, and engage with additional field work through Villanova’s wide range of service learning opportunities.
Veritas: Our faculty research has direct implications for classroom teaching. We strive to align theory and practice by infusing the most up-to-date research into our classes and connecting our own research to our teaching. Faculty expertise include special education, disability awareness, teacher dispositions, math and science teacher education, literature, critical literacies, social and emotional learning, history of education, social studies teacher education, and belonging and community, to name a few.
EXPLORE THE MAJOR
- Three (3) semester-long field placements (Pre-Practicums 1, 2, and 3) to preparestudents for student-teaching
- Personalized student-teaching placement process
- Semester-long (16 weeks) student-teaching during the Senior Spring semester in which students are supported by a mentor teacher, university supervisor, and weekly seminar
In addition to curriculum requirements outlined by the College, students need to apply to the Pennsylvania Certification Program, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to become a certified teacher.
PDE requires students to have:
- completed 48 credits
- a minimal 3.0 GPA
- six credits in English
- six credits in mathematics
- two recommendations from professors
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to student teach.
To be recommended for certification students must:
- Have a final 3.0 GPA
- Pass the state-required exams
- Satisfactory performance in their field experiences including a minimal B- in student teaching
- Successful creation of a presentation electronic portfolio
To obtain PA Instructional I Teacher Certification students must take and earn qualifying scores* on all Subject Area tests for specific instruction areas.
Pennsylvania uses the GPA sliding scale. View PA Certification Test Score Requirements.
All student seeking PA teacher certification must take and pass the required state examsfor their content area. Learn more about the testing process and requirements.
Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1998, section 207, requires colleges and universities to make public the results of the PECT and Praxis tests required to teach in Pennsylvania's public schools. The PECT assessment is required for PK-4 and Praxis II subject assessment tests are required for state certification in the specific teaching areas. For more information, contact Title II officer, Nancy Franz, at 610.519.5593. Visit the Title II website to view pass rates.
Pennsylvania participates in the Interstate Agreement - National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, NASDTEC. However, each state may have a few additional requirements. In compliance with federal law, our Education – Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosure Page contains information about specific state requirements.
CONTENT AREAS
Students may choose from one of the following content areas: PK-4 Elementary or one of the 7-12 Secondary content areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Latin, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies and Spanish. Learn about the course of study at Villanova and the certification requirements for each content area.
Our new Elementary Education Major features courses that are aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and grounded in Villanova’s mission-driven values. Elementary Education majors take classes on topics such as Family, School, & Community to learn how to make connections between their classroom and the community and to create a greater sense of belonging for all families, Integrating Art & Movement in order to develop tools to bring creativity, energy, and innovation to their classroom, and Classroom Management so they can cultivate a welcoming environment with clear routines and systems where students feel that they belong, are safe, and can thrive.
Courses are also designed to nurture students’ own development as an educator to build dispositions including (but not limited to): reflection, executive functioning (e.g., developing systems to organize your teaching practice), social-emotional learning, and advocacy for both oneself and one’s students.
Department Requirements for Certification in PK-4 Elementary Education
- Module 1: Child development, learning, and assessment; collaboration and professionalism.
- Module 2: Language and literacy development; social studies, arts, and humanities.
- Module 3: Mathematics, science, and health.
Qualifying scores:
- Module 1: 197
- Module 2: 193
- Module 3: 193
Learn more about the PECT requirements.
- Biology 7-12 Praxis Test 5235
- Qualifying score: 147
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Chemistry 7-12 Praxis Test: 5245
- Qualifying score: 154
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- English 7-12 Praxis Test: 5038
- Qualifying score: 167
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- French 7-12 Praxis Test: 5174
- Qualifying score: 162
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Latin 7-12 Praxis Test: 5601
- Qualifying score: 152
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Mathematics 7-12 Praxis Test: 5161
- Qualifying score: 160
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Physics 7-12 Praxis Test: 5265
- Qualifying score: 140
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Social Studies 7-12 Praxis Test: 5081
- Qualifying score: 157
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.
- Spanish 7-12 Praxis Test: 5195
- Qualifying score: 168
Learn more about the Praxis requirements.