Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Biology: Secondary/Special Education 7-12 degree is designed for individuals interested in teaching middle and high school biology in special education settings. The program develops students' knowledge of teaching and special education as well as the life sciences and related disciplines. This undergraduate degree program meets all education requirements for teaching certification in Pennsylvania.
Certification that includes Special Education may require an extra semester to complete.
Note: This is a dual certification, not a dual degree.
Delivery Mode
Traditional (on campus)
Accreditation
This undergraduate degree program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Cal U's education programs have also been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954, and we are continuing with the successor organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Curriculum
The following sections include an eight-semester schedule of courses provided as a recommended framework for completing the certification programs in four years.
| Course | Credits |
| Freshman Year | |
| First Semester | 18 |
| BIO 120 General Zoology | 4 |
| CHE 101 General Chemistry | 4 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 199 Pre-Calculus | 3 |
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| GEN ED: Fine Arts Course | 3 |
| Second Semester | 18 |
| ENG 127 OR 155 | 3 |
| ESP 210 Special Education Foundations and Collaboration | 3 |
| ESP 311 Assessment and PBS | 3 |
| MAT XXX Math Elective | 3 |
| PSY 206 Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| SEC 210 Introduction to Secondary Education | 3 |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Third Semester | 18 |
| BIO 125 General Botany | 4 |
| CHE 102 General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHY 121 General Physics | 4 |
| SEC 220 Standards-Based Education in Secondary Education | 3 |
| SEC 310 Instructional Strategies Secondary Ed | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | 18 |
| BIO 215 Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIO 248 General Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 306 Human Anatomy | 4 |
| EDU 333 Technology in Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| HSC 315 First Aid and Personal Safety | 3 |
| Junior Year | |
| Fifth Semester | 19 |
| BIO 328 Human Physiology | 4 |
| ESP 312 ABA for Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 339 Special Education Field Experience I | 3 |
| ESP 403 Assessment and Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| SEC 350 Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SEC 360 Technology Integration | 3 |
| Sixth Semester | 18 |
| EDU 350 Supporting English Language Learners | 3 |
| ESP 406 Transition Planning and Instruction |
3 |
| ESP 411 Special Education History, Planning and Excpt. | 3 |
| ESP 413 EBP for Secondary Inclusion | 3 |
| SEC 400 Classroom Management | 3 |
| SEC 420 Assessments and Interventions | 3 |
| Senior Year | |
| Seventh Semester | 16 |
| BIO 318 Genetics | 4 |
| ESP 349 Special Education Field Experience II | 3 |
| ESP 402 Life Skills: Planning and Instruction | 3 |
| ESP 418 Advanced EBP for Secondary Ed | 3 |
| SEC 395 Teaching of Science | 3 |
| Eighth Semester | 15 |
| ESP 461 Student Teaching |
6 |
| SEC 460 Professional Practices | 3 |
| SEC 461 Student Teaching | 6 |
| Total | 140 |
Program Notes
- Student teaching will consist of a split placement between Special and Secondary Education. In addition, field experience will be completed for both certification areas.
- All required courses need a grade of "C" or higher.