Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Middle-Level Science (4-8), Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED)

All candidates completing this program and student teaching are eligible to receive Pennsylvania certification after achieving a passing or qualifying score on Pennsylvania Department of Education required exam(s). If you are interested in teaching in another state, please contact the Department of Education in that state.

Related Links

Middle-Level Education - Science, BSED Program Page

Secondary Education/Foundations of Education Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

GPA must be 3.0 or higher for Teacher Candidacy.

A 3.0 GPA and passing subject area assessment (PECT) or a 2.8 GPA and a qualifying passing subject area assessment (PECT) score (as determined by PDE) is required for certification.

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major Requirements79

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
HIST 180Spotlight on the Past3
Social Science Inquiry
POLS 101American National Government3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Additional Rock Studies 2 Requirements (12 credits)
MATH 210Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I3
MATH 310Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II3
SPED 121Overview of Special Education3
Select one of the following:3
Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters
Early Modern to Contemporary World
Colonial US to the Civil War Era
US Civil War Era to Present
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements

  • 40 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 40 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • All grades in Professional Education & Specialization must be grades of “C” or above.
Middle Level Education
SEFE 200Introduction to Education, Teaching Methods and Field 13
SEFE 230Production and Utilization of Instructional Technology 13
SEFE 251Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Grades 4-8 13
SEFE 300Middle Level Cognitive Development 13
SEFE 326ELL Strategies and Practice 13
SEFE 338Standards-Based Instruction & Assessment in the Inclusionary Classroom 13
SEFE 342Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners 13
SEFE 349Teaching of Science in the Middle School 13
SEFE 370Educational Measurements, Assessment and Evaluation 13
SEFE 380History and Philosophy of Education 13
SEFE 426Practicum in Middle-Level & Secondary Education1
SEFE 456Student Teaching - Middle Level Grades 1,212
SPED 121Overview of Special Education 1,33
SPED 315Special Education Issues in Diverse Secondary Classrooms 1,23
Subtotal49
Science Certification Specialization
SCI 101Science of Life 33
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World 33
Select at least 24 credits from the following list:24
Environmental Biology
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
Environmental Geology
and Environmental Geology Lab
Meteorology/Lab
Oceanography
Earth Materials and Processes/Lab
Elements of Physics I with Lab
Elements of Physics II/ Lab
Space Science
Subtotal30
Total Hours79
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements but not for Major GPA

2

SPED 315 & SEFE 456 must be taken in the same semester.

3

Credits earned in these courses will be applied to Rock Studies 2.

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Grades 4-6 Core Content Areas

  • To meet the English Language Arts 12 credit Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements, students must complete SEFE 251 – Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Grades 4-8 if they have not completed ENGL 102.
Social Studies
HIST 180Spotlight on the Past 13
POLS 101American National Government 13
SEFE 380History and Philosophy of Education 23
Select one of the following:3
Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters 1
Early Modern to Contemporary World 1
Colonial US to the Civil War Era 1
US Civil War Era to Present 1
Subtotal12
English/Language Arts
ENGL 102Critical Writing 13
ENGL 104Critical Reading 13
ENGL 305Practicum: Teaching Writing3
ENGL 328Young Adult Literature3
Subtotal12
Math
MATH 118Elementary Geometry3
MATH 210Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I 13
MATH 310Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II 13
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I 13
Subtotal12
Total Hours36
1

Credits earned in these courses will be applied to Rock Studies 2.

2

SEFE 380 credit earned will be applied to Professional Core.

Prerequisites for Admission to Teacher Candidacy

  • Grades below a “C” are not admissible.
Basic Courses
Select six of the following:18
Critical Writing
Critical Reading
Overview of Special Education
Production and Utilization of Instructional Technology
ELL Strategies and Practice
Educational Measurements, Assessment and Evaluation
Math Requirement for BS in Education
Required prior to Admission to Teacher Candidacy
Select one of the following:3
Elementary Geometry
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
Total Hours24

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

MIDDLE-LEVEL SCIENCE (4-8) - BSED (1235)
This program is effective as of Summer 2019.
Revised 07.17.2023
UCC 03.01.2022 

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
HIST 180 Spotlight on the Past 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
STAT 152 Elementary Statistics I 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Computer Competency Requirement 2 0-3
 Hours16-19
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
MATH 118 Elementary Geometry 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
SEFE 200 Introduction to Education, Teaching Methods and Field 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
SEFE 230 Production and Utilization of Instructional Technology 3
SPED 121 Overview of Special Education 3
POLS 101 American National Government 3
MATH 210 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I 3
Science Course Major 3
 Hours15
Spring
SEFE 326 ELL Strategies and Practice 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters
Early Modern to Contemporary World
Colonial US to the Civil War Era
US Civil War Era to Present
Science Course Major 3
Science Course Major 3
Science Course Major 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
ENGL 328 Young Adult Literature 3
MATH 310 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II 3
SEFE 370 Educational Measurements, Assessment and Evaluation 3
SEFE 380 History and Philosophy of Education 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 305 Practicum: Teaching Writing 3
SEFE 300 Middle Level Cognitive Development 3
SEFE 342 Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners 3
Science Course Major 3
Science Course Major 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
SEFE 251 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Grades 4-8 3
SEFE 338 Standards-Based Instruction & Assessment in the Inclusionary Classroom 3
SEFE 349 Teaching of Science in the Middle School 3
SEFE 426 Practicum in Middle-Level & Secondary Education 1
Science Course Major 3
Science Course Major 3
 Hours16
Spring
SEFE 456 Student Teaching - Middle Level Grades 12
SPED 315 Special Education Issues in Diverse Secondary Classrooms 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**122-125
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject

2

Pass Computer Competency Exam or complete CPSC 100, CPSC 110, CPSC 130, or PE 202

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 1235
Revised: 09.12.2023