B.S.Ed. Programs of Study

The School of Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

The majors offered are:

  • Early Level (PreK-4) Education  (120 minimum credits)
  • Middle Level (4-8) Education: All subjects (4-6) with English/Language Arts Concentration (7-8) (125 minimum credits)
  • Middle Level (4-8) Education: All subjects (4-6) with Mathematics Concentration (7-8) (137 minimum credits)
  • Middle Level (4-8) Education: All subjects (4-6) with Science Concentration (7-8) (132 minimum credits)
  • Middle Level (4-8) Education: All subjects (4-6) with English/Language Arts and Mathematics Dual Concentration (7-8) (139 minimum credits)
  • Secondary (7-12) Education English (121 minimum credits)
  • Secondary (7-12) Education Math (121 minimum credits)
  • Secondary (7-12) Education Social Studies (133 minimum credits)
  • Dual Certification in General and Special Education - select any of the programs above (120 minimum credits - varies by concentration, please see program page)

Requirements for the B.S. in Education

Credits vary by program, dependent on course of study.  Please see each program page for more detail. 

Early Start Programs

The School of Education offers early start options for students in the School of Education who have demonstrated a strong academic background (GPA > 3.0) to begin graduate work during their undergraduate time at Duquesne University. During the junior or senior year, students have the opportunity to take up to 5 courses in a master's level program at the undergraduate tuition rate. Current programs with early start options include:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), M.S.Ed.
  • Child Psychology, M.S.Ed.
  • Counseling - Clinical Mental Health, M.S.
  • Counseling - Marriage, Couple & Family, M.S.
  • Counseling - School, M.S.Ed.
  • Education Administration, M.S.Ed.
  • Educational Leadership, M.S.
  • Reading and Literacy Education, M.S.Ed.
  • School Supervision, M.S.Ed.
  • Special Education, M.S.Ed.

Undergraduate students not in the School of Education in good academic standing (GPA >3.0) interested in pursuing or exploring an education degree and/or teaching certification can begin to take courses in their junior or senior year in the following graduate Education programs:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), M.S.Ed.
  • Early Childhood Education, PreK-4, MAT
  • Secondary Education (Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science), 7-12 , MAT

Field Experiences

A significant feature of the Leading Teacher Program (LTP) is early participation in field experiences. Field experiences are integrated into coursework throughout the Leading Teacher Program. Field experiences are a critical component in preparing professional educators for leadership and distinction in teaching, scholarship and service in the world’s communities. Field experiences occur in off-campus settings. It is in these field experiences that teacher candidates demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. Teacher candidates participate in a variety of settings, with students of different ages, and with culturally diverse and exceptional populations.

Student Teaching

The undergraduate experience in the Leading Teacher Program culminates in student teaching, which is the most significant professional experience representing a bridge between professional preparation and professional practice. Teacher candidates apply principles and techniques of teaching and learning in a PreK-12 classroom with a mentor teacher for a full semester in their senior year. Teacher candidates must complete an application and satisfy the specific requirements for student teaching.

Student Teaching Application Requirements

The following information applies to all teacher candidates who are applying for student teaching in the fall semester of the same year OR the spring semester of the following year. Teacher Candidates must:

  1. Attend a Student Teaching Informational Session.
  2. Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA overall and in certification subject area.
  3. Resolve all Incomplete, NP (Not Pass), or Failing grades.
  4. Successfully complete Sophomore Gateway requirements.
  5. Submit online Student Teaching Application by specified date.
  6. Email an updated résumé to the School of Education by designated date.
  7. Read the Student Teaching Handbook in its entirety, and sign and the “Student Acknowledgement” page of the Handbook for the School of Education by the designated date.
  8. To submit your clearances, you can upload copies to our secure system, EllyDUQ.
    • Fall Student Teachers– Updated clearances are due by no later than the third Friday in March.
    • Spring Student Teachers– Updated clearances are due by no later than August 1st.
    • Clearances must be current for the duration of the student teaching experience; students will not receive a student teaching placement until this requirement is met.
    • Students are responsible for retaining copies of the required clearances listed below..
      • Act 151/33 PA Child Abuse Clearance
      • Act 34 PA Access to Criminal History
      • Act 114 Federal Criminal History Record Information/FBI Clearance (Department of Education)
      • Negative TB Test Result **Some school districts, such as bethel park and woodland hills, require tb tests to be no older than 3 months from the start date of student teaching.
      • Act 126 Mandated Reporter (Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training)

Teacher Certification

The School of Education has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer coursework leading to the Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. This certificate is valid for six years, beginning the first-year individuals are employed as a teacher in the State of Pennsylvania. In order for a student to be eligible for certification, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Completion of course and GPA requirements outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) sliding scale (PDE's website details this information, it is found on the Certification Testing Requirements page).
  2. Successful completion of student teaching.
  3. Completion of all requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree.
  4. Completion of the application for certification.
  5. Recommendation by the Certification Officer of the School of Education.
  6. Successful completion of professional examinations as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Note: Pennsylvania Department of Education may choose to revise passing scores for professional examinations. Teacher candidates must meet the criterion score in effect on the date of application for certification.

The requirements for certification are established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Teacher candidates must meet the requirements established by the state at the time of application for certification.

Leading Teacher Program Policies

All policies are designed to support PDE policies for teacher education programs and initial teacher certification. 

State regulations supersede University policies for establishing minimum program requirements. It is possible that the requirements for graduation, the degree, and/or certification may change during the student's tenure at the University. The state policies adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Secretary of Education and/or the state legislature at the time of graduation are the requirements that must be met. Candidates are responsible for knowing and fulfilling their program requirements.

Repeating a Course

C Repeat Policy:
If an education student earns a grade below a B-, they may retake the course with the approval of the Associate Dean for Teacher Education and/or the student success coach.

Content Area Electives

Content Area Elective Policy

All secondary majors must maintain a 3.0 QPA in the academic content area. Therefore, secondary candidates may take content area electives within the core content area to ensure content competence.

Transfer into the School of Education

Transfer from within the University

The student who wishes to transfer to the School of Education from another school in the University must submit the School of Education's Internal Transfer Application.

Transfer from another institution

The student who wishes to transfer from another university is encouraged to schedule an appointment with one of the student success coaches in the School of Education.

Transfer into the School of Education Policy
  1. All applicants will have earned an overall 3.0 from their previous institution or School, or will be admitted on a conditional basis. The Associate Dean for Teacher Education. approves internal transfers, but Admissions approves external transfers. 
  2. All applications for transfer into the School of Education should be submitted by the established deadline.
  3. Applications will be reviewed by the student success coaches in the School of Education for review of GPA, transferable credits, and test scores.

The Committee on Student Standing

The School of Education Committee on Student Standing reviews petitions submitted by School of Education Leading Teacher Program students, both undergraduate and graduate, requesting exceptions to existing policies, procedures, and academic decisions within the School of Education and Duquesne University. Student success coaches work with candidates when it is deemed appropriate to submit a petition to the Committee on Student Standing. All petitions must be submitted electronically through the online Student Standing Petition Form.

Clearances

Clearance Policy

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and all School Districts who host candidates for Field Experience and Student Teaching, the School of Education requires that all candidates - Undergraduate and Graduate - submit any clearances, required by PDE (Act 151 Child Abuse History, Act 34 Criminal Record Check, Act 114 Federal Criminal History record Information/FBI Clearance (Department of Education) and TB Testing annually during their academic career at Duquesne University. The Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training clearance must be completed and submitted within the first semester of study; this clearance is valid for five years and does not need to be renewed while continually enrolled in the Leading Teacher Program. Clearances are required for the safety of school children and for the adults who interact with them.

Candidates cannot attend a field experience in any school, agency, or educational organization, if they do not have valid clearances for the duration of the semester in which the field experience or student teaching occurs. The only exception is if the student is an employee of the school in which the field experience will occur. In this situation, a district representative must complete the appropriate form acknowledging the student has clearances that align with the district's requirements.

Candidates who do not have their current clearances on file will not be placed for field or student teaching.

Accommodations and Adaptions 

English as a Second Language and Special Education

All undergraduate programs in the School of Education include three (3) credits of English as a Second Language and at least nine (9) credits or the equivalent credit hours of Special Education. Competencies focusing on adaptations and accommodations are integrated throughout coursework in LTP Programs.