college of
Educ ation
Welcome to the College of Education. Since our founding more than 140 years ago, Kutztown University has been an education leader. Our long and distinguished history of serving Pennsylvania and the nation continues through programs in training outstanding educators, producing cutting-edge research and designing innovative programs.
Students considering careers in schools or service
We are proud of our role in preparing the next
agencies choose Kutztown because we graduate
generation of leaders in teaching, supervision,
exceptional education professionals. The college offers
administration, counseling and library science.
a rigorous academic environment and an intensive
You’ll find a network of Kutztown graduates in
preparation program. Through partnerships with
classrooms in every school district in Pennsylvania,
public schools and communities across the state and
and we encourage you to explore our many programs
around the country, our faculty and students engage in
and resources. I think you will agree — education is
scholarship and research activities across disciplines.
first at Kutztown.
I chose
k u t z tow n
E l a i n a C e n g e r i ’ 11, Elementary/Special Education major “Kutztown’s education program is one of the best in Pennsylvania. The college has a very caring philosophy. My professors met with me to
discuss my classes and to share their own classroom experiences. I know I have received a great education and am well-prepared!”
a Fresh Approach to
Educ at ion
Kutztown’s College of Education is on a mission
plan for the future. You will find dynamic programs
to train the very best type of educator: one who
in Elementary Education, Secondary Education,
understands the nature of learning, values teamwork
Special Education, Counseling and Library Science.
and collaboration, embraces social and cultural
You’ll also find a spirit of collegiality within
diversity, and eagerly anticipates all of the exciting
departments and program teams across Kutztown’s
challenges the education profession brings.
campus. By collaborating with our other colleges
Kutztown has the best of both worlds: a
(Business, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual
comprehensive education program in a nurturing
and Performing Arts), we are able to develop
setting — a place where teachers, mentors,
academically challenging programs providing
administrators and students come together to solve
students with a deeper knowledge of the subjects
problems, develop and share knowledge, and
they want to teach.
“It is inspiring to be educating the teachers of tomorrow. My goal is to prepare them to be successful, and I enjoy watching them excel in classrooms and making that connection with students. Teachers today are preparing students to be global citizens. I cannot think of a more noble profession.” Kathleen Dolgos, faculty member, Secondary Education
Experienced Professors Kutztown’s education faculty offer a diverse range of educational experiences and are really engaged with our students. They not only get to know you on a first-name basis, they also take an active interest in your progress. Our three-pronged approach to success joins each student with the right supervisors and mentors, which results in high-passing grades on statemandated Praxis exams and outstanding results in field and clinical performance data, final grades and student evaluations.
Ad m i s s i o n a n d Te a c h e r
P r epa r a t i o n P r o g r a m s
Students are admitted to the College of Education
register for the Praxis II Subject Assessments
as freshmen or as transfer students. In the semester
(Content Area/Specialization) in order to be
in which they complete 48 credits, students must
approved for clinical experience and practicum.
apply for candidacy status in the teacher preparation programs. Transfer applicants who have completed
Great Classrooms and Resources
48 or more credits must meet candidacy requirements
You will have the tools you need to excel in the classroom.
at the time they apply to the College of Education.
Our Curriculum Materials Center provides students with the resources needed to develop classes that engage
To achieve candidacy status students must have:
and challenge students. The Audiovisual Center gives
· Attained a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade
students access to digital cameras, scanners, projectors
point average.
and software to prepare rich, multimedia presentations.
· Earned a minimum grade of “C” in English composition, a literature course and two
The library science laboratory provides children’s and young adult literature.
mathematics courses. · Passed the Praxis I examination with scores on file at Kutztown.* When candidacy status is achieved, enrollment in upper-level teacher preparation courses is permitted. Candidates must maintain a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average and
*The Praxis I examination is an academic skills assessment in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. It is administered by the Educational Testing Services, and information about the examination is available at www.ets.org/praxis.
Degree Programs Elementary Education (BSED) Grades Pre-K–4 Grades 4–8 (choose one concentration): · Mathematics and English/ Language Arts and Reading · Mathematics and Science · Mathematics and Social Studies · Science and English/ Language Arts and Reading · Science and Social Studies
Special Education (BSED) – dual certification · Mentally/Physically Handicapped Pre-K–8 and Pre-K–4 · Mentally/Physically Handicapped Pre-K–8 and Grades 4–8 · Visual Impairment Birth to 21 and Pre-K–4 · Visual Impairment Birth to 21 and Grades 4–8 Library Science (BSED) Grades K–12 Library Science (BS) Non-teaching degree
Learn more @ coe.kutztown.edu
Secondary Education (BSED) Specialization and Certification in: · Biological Science · Chemistry · Earth and Space Science · English · General Science · German · Mathematics · Physics and Mathematics · Physics · Social Studies · Spanish
D e pa r t m e n ta l
Offer ings
Elementary Education 610.683.4262 www.kutztown.edu/ElementaryEducation Teacher candidates who graduate from the Elementary Education program are certified to teach grades Pre-K–4 or Grades 4–8. Coursework includes a strong background in the fundamentals of general education, such as composition, general psychology, literature, mathematics, history, and courses in the fields of humanities, social and natural sciences. Field Experiences In this program, field experiences take place from the first year. Early on, pre-candidates visit elementary schools in different areas to see first-hand the challenges associated with the teaching profession. These experiences also allow pre-candidates the chance to evaluate their commitment to the field and help them decide what grade level they would like to teach. Pre-candidates spend 40 hours in different classrooms, ensuring observation of a variety of classes and teachers.
SECONDARY Education 610.683.4259 www.kutztown.edu/SecondaryEducation Graduates of Kutztown’s Secondary Education program are certified to teach in grades seven through 12 in a selected area of specialization. Modern language certification is for grades kindergarten through 12. Field Experiences In this program, field experiences increase in complexity and intensity as the student moves from pre-candidacy to candidacy. Field hours are embedded in courses to allow for guided exploration, reflection and discussion. The Secondary Education model utilizes school partnerships so that teaching candidates have an opportunity to work in diverse school settings and grades. Candidates are enrolled full-time in the senior clinical experience and practicum. With the supervision of teachers in the school districts and KU faculty, candidates have two clinical experience and practicum assignments, each lasting eight weeks. • English as a Second Language (ESL) 610.683.4259 KU’s Secondary Education Department has been accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide the Program Specialist Certificate — English as a Second Language (ESL). This certificate may be obtained by completing 12 credits of classes and a 15-hour field experience, and is applied for after the initial certification has been completed. This certificate is for certificate holders in all kindergarten through grade 12 programs.
special education 610.683.4290 www.kutztown.edu/SpecialEducation Teacher candidates who graduate from either the Mentally/Physically Handicapped (MPH) or Visually Impaired (VI) program are certified to teach special education in their area of expertise, as well as Pre-K–4 or Grades 4–8 classrooms. The Special Education grade programs vary according to specialization. Candidates in the MPH and VI programs are exposed to a broad range of courses that address the instruction of children and youth in both regular and special education settings. Field Experiences The Special Education programs offer ample field experiences. Students complete a 20-hour pre-entrance field observation in their area of specialization as part of the MPH program. For MPH and VI majors, an additional 40 hours of observation must be completed by the end of the fourth semester. In the semester in which students complete 48 credits, they apply for candidacy status (see Admission and Teacher Preparation Programs section). The junior year brings the opportunity for a supervised professional field experience. By the senior year, a candidate completes the clinical experience and practicum assignments in special education and Pre-K–4 or Grades 4–8.
Library science and instructional technology 610.683.4300 www.kutztown.edu/LibraryScience The Library Science program prepares skilled professional library information specialists. Students completing these programs are prepared as professional librarians to evaluate, select, collect, organize, store, retrieve and disseminate information. The primary emphasis of the program is school librarianship. Candidates in the library science major take a broad spectrum of liberal arts courses, as well as gain an excellent knowledge of library technology. Instructional technology courses provide essential background and training in the effective use of instructional technologies such as computers, video, graphics, interactive multimedia and displays. Field Experiences There are practical learning components in the Library Science program. As sophomores, students spend observation time at elementary, middle and secondary school libraries in rural, urban and suburban areas. In the semester in which students complete 48 credits, they apply for candidacy status (see Admission and Teacher Preparation Programs section). During the junior year, candidates have the opportunity for a supervised professional field experience. In their senior year, candidates complete clinical field experience and practicum assignments in elementary and secondary libraries. Non-teaching degree majors complete field experiences in public, academic or special libraries. ART education and music education 610.683.4250/4550 www.kutztown.edu/ArtEducation www.kutztown.edu/MusicEducation The College of Education collaborates with the College of Visual and Performing Arts in offering degree programs leading to certification in art education and music education. Students are admitted to candidacy in the College of Education leading to certification as art teachers or music teachers. Students in these programs must meet candidacy for teacher preparation requirements and specific admission requirements for each program. These guidelines can be found in the College of Visual and Performing Arts viewbook and the undergraduate application.
Honors Program
The Kutztown University Honors Program provides
Honors participants enroll in a curriculum that
a challenging, individualized and rewarding
brings together students from across the university.
experience for students who have academically
They also have access to seminars, peer mentoring,
distinguished themselves in high school. The
honors research experiences and internships.
program complements your degree requirements with
The culmination of the experience is the thesis
exceptional opportunities for research, travel and
presentation at a professional conference, along with
professional development. You may also design, with
honors program recognition on a student’s transcript.
faculty, an independent study course in a field that interests you.
l e a r n i n g i n t h e F ie l d
Teacher candidates in the College of Education
(student teaching) assigned to different school
begin their field experiences during their first
districts for two 8-week periods.
year. Candidates visit various schools to observe
Clinical experience and practicum are the pinnacles
differences and similarities in procedures and
of a teacher candidate’s professional preparation.
instructional delivery. Observations continue through
Placements for clinical experience cover a range of
the sophomore year, leading to the junior year’s
school districts in 12 counties, affording each
professional semester/early field experience. During
candidate the opportunity to work to maximum ability
this time, teacher candidates have the opportunity to
in a variety of settings. Teacher candidates may also
study, observe and work with master teachers. As a
interview to complete clinical experience at the Ramey
senior, each candidate completes clinical experiences
Unit School, DODEA, Aquedillo, Puerto Rico.
Virtual Tour Take our online virtual tour to learn about KU’s campus
@ Tour.kutztown.edu Admissions Office Contact Information admissions.kutztown.edu (610) 683-4060 (877) 628-1915 (toll free in PA and NJ) Email: admission@kutztown.edu
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania P.O. Box 730, Kutztown, Pennsylvania 19530 (610) 683-4000, TDD (610) 683-1315 or (610) 683-4499
www.kutztown.edu