Additional Certification Requirements
Students seeking teacher certification must meet all Pennsylvania Teacher Certification requirements as communicated by the LVC Education Department. These include a minimum GPA and the following coursework:
1. Completion of one English composition course.
2. Completion of one approved literature course.
3. Completion of two college-level mathematics courses.
4. Completion of required Special Education coursework:
SPE 250 Cognitive Development of Diverse
Learners| This course is designed to introduce all categories of disability. Specific attention will be given to the potential cognitive, physical, social, behavioral, and language differences in children with disabilities. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, case study discussions, and writing instruction. Students will be expected to write two papers (totaling 3,000 words) researching various aspects of disability. Writing instruction will be provided throughout this course. The instructor will provide substantive written and/or oral feedback through individual writing conferences, which will be held throughout the semester. In addition, this course has a two hour per week required field experience. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Course restricted to Education majors. 3 credits. |
| This course will begin with a historical overview of the field of special education, including key legislation and litigation that drives current practice. Assessment tools for diagnosing disability will be introduced, as well as assessment tools for documenting student progress. In addition, collaboration and communication skills essential for working as a part of the special education team will be practiced and further developed. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to lecture, field experiences, and hands-on experience with various assessments. Two hours per week of fieldwork is required. 3 credits. |
Embedded Special Education Modules
The following course is required for music education majors and may also be required for students transfering credits into any certification program from other institutions:
SPE 258 Effective Instructional and Behavioral
Strategies for Students with
Disabilities| The focus of this course content will be on (a) behavioral principles and their application in the classroom, (b) literacy development and literacy interventions for students with disabilities, and (c) evidence-based instructional strategies in other content areas, such as creative arts, mathematics, social, studies, and science. Delivery approach will include, but not be limited to: lecture, case study applications, field experiences, hands-on experience with various literacy programs, and student presentations. Prerequisite: Restricted to Music majors and transfer
students. 3 credits. |
5. Completion of one of the following ESL courses:
For early childhood/special education certification: EDU 240 Language, Cultural Diversity, and
Academic Achievement: PreK - Grade 8
| This course is designed to provide pre-service elementary teachers with an opportunity to identify and practice a series of cognitive, linguistic, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts. This course may not be taken during the student teaching semester by music education majors. Other majors desiring to take this course while student teaching must obtain approval from the education department. Fulfills requirement: Intercultural Competence. 3 credits. |
For secondary education certification: EDU 245 Language, Cultural Diversity, and
Academic Achievement: Grade 7 - Grade 12
| This course is designed to allow the pre-service music, art, language, or grade 7 - grade 12 secondary teacher certification candidate to gain an understanding of the complex factors impacting the education and language acquisition of the diverse language and cultural minority groups of the United States. This course is required under Act 49-2 and may be taken by early childhood, special education, and secondary education students while student teaching. Music education students may not take this course while student teaching. Fulfills requirement: Intercultural Competence. 3 credits. |
K-12 certification (languages and music) candidates may take either course.