Elementary Education, B.El.Ed.

Program Code: ELEM_BELED

Program Description

The Elementary Education program at Penn State Harrisburg embodies the four tenets of our conceptual framework: constructivism, authenticity, reflectivity, and standards-based curriculum. Constructivism entails a student-centered approach in which teachers help learners build their own understandings. Authenticity refers to developing professional and pedagogical skills in authentic classroom settings; for example, in the junior and senior years prior to student teaching, the program offers extensive field experiences in a variety of settings enrolling students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Reflectivity relates to consciously analyzing course content and one's own learning for the purpose of deeper understanding and self-improvement. Standards-based curriculum means that our candidates are steeped in Pennsylvania Academic Standards as well as the standards of relevant professional organizations. Taken together, these tenets enable our candidates to become lifelong reflective professionals committed to the learning of all students.

Students will choose one of four options for the degree:

  1. PK-4 Early Childhood Education,
  2. Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading,
  3. Grades 4-8 Mathematics, and
  4. Grades 4-8 Social Studies.

Upon successful completion of this major, students will have met all of the requirements for either the Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading, Grades 4-8 Mathematics, or Grades 4-8 Social Studies Instructional I certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students must apply for admission to the major.

Prior to the full-time student teaching experience in the senior year, candidates are expected to complete all other courses required for certification, including two field placements. On-campus courses are scheduled three or four days a week, while field experiences in nearby schools are scheduled part-time, two to three days per week.

What is Elementary Education?

Elementary Education prepares bright, creative and passionate individuals to teach students in the primary and middle-level grades, which includes pre-kindergarten through grade four or grades four through grade eight. This major includes preparation to teach all elementary subjects, as well as classroom management, working with families and evidence-based best practices of teaching and learning. Individuals in the major spend time in primary or middle school classrooms observing, leading activities, teaching lessons, and being mentored by an experienced teacher.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You enjoy working with children.
  • You like critical, creative, and reflective thinking.
  • You want to have an important and direct impact on the lives of others.
  • You want a career in teaching or school administration.

Entrance to Major

Admission Requirements

Applicants should be in the fourth-semester level and complete the Entry to Major Requirements listed below with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale). The evaluation of prior college work is done on an individual basis by the Office of Enrollment Services at Penn State Harrisburg. Students admitted to the program must have the appropriate clearances required at the time of admission. These may include FBI fingerprint check, Act 151 child abuse history clearance, and Act 34 criminal record check.

Entry to Major Requirements

Entry to the Elementary Education major requires the completion of 45 or more credits in required courses and the state's minimum cumulative GPA criteria of 3.0. Candidates must complete, with a grade of "C" or better, six (6) credits of college-level mathematics (MATH prefix), three (3) credits of college-level English literature and three (3) credits of college-level English composition. Candidates must meet the Basic Skills requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that are applicable at the time of application for entrance to major. Candidates who desire to pursue this major should plan their freshman and sophomore years carefully to ensure their successful progress during very structured junior and senior years.

Retention Requirements

Monitoring candidate progress in the elementary education program will occur each semester while the candidate is participating in the elementary education program. Candidates will be evaluated for retention in the program based on:

  1. maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  2. performance on any test requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for entrance to major;
  3. satisfactory completion of required courses, including the field experience component;
  4. adequate writing and speaking skills as demonstrated in various classroom assignments; and
  5. a positive rating on the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education Programs monitoring form.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Elementary Education degree in Elementary Education, PK-4 Early Childhood Option a minimum of 123 credits are required; Grade 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading Option a minimum of 121 credits are required; Grade 4-8 Mathematics Option a minimum of 120 credits are required; and Grade 4-8 Social Studies Option a minimum of 121 credits are required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Requirements for the Major 120-123

45 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GA courses; 6 credits of GH courses; 3 credits of GHW courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses. Six of these 45 credits may also satisfy the Integrative Studies requirement.

Requirements for the Major

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CAS 100AEffective Speech Keystone/General Education Course3
CI 295Introductory Field Experience for Teacher Preparation3
EDPSY 14Learning and Instruction Keystone/General Education Course3
EDTHP 115SCompeting Rights: Issues in American Education Keystone/General Education Course3
EDUC 303Inclusive Practices in General Education Classrooms3
EDUC 304Classroom Organization and Management3
EDUC 305Creative Arts3
EDUC 315YSocial and Cultural Factors in Education3
EDUC 321Methods in Teaching Intermediate and Advanced Readers3
EDUC 352Teaching Language Arts3
EDUC 353Teaching Elementary Social Studies3
EDUC 385Professional Development in Teaching3
EDUC 454Modern Elementary Science Education3
EDUC 466NFoundations of Teaching English as a Second Language Keystone/General Education Course3
EDUC 490Student Teaching9
EDUC 495AJunior Field Experience1
EDUC 495BSenior Field Experience3
ENGL 202AEffective Writing: Writing in the Social Sciences Keystone/General Education Course3
GEOG 126Economic Geography Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 200Problem Solving in Mathematics Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 201Problem Solving in Mathematics II Keystone/General Education Course3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ENGL 15Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course3
or ENGL 30H Honors Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course
HDFS 229Infant and Child Development Keystone/General Education Course 13
or HDFS 239 Adolescent Development Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits from GN Biological Science3
Select 3 credits from GN Earth Science3
Select 3 credits from GN Physical Science3
Select 6 credits from GA courses6
Select 3 credits from GHW courses3
Requirements for the Option
Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better
Select an option29-32
1

Students in the PK-4 Early Childhood Option must choose HDFS 229. Students in any of the Grade 4-8 Options should choose HDFS 239.
 

Requirements for the Option

PK-4 Early Childhood Education Option (32 credits)
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301Mathematics in Elementary Education I3
EDUC 306Physical Education, Health, and Safety in Elementary Schools2
EDUC 320Methods in Teaching Beginning Readers3
EDUC 403Curriculum for Early Childhood3
EDUC 404Young Children's Behavior: Observation and Evaluation3
EDUC 410The Child and Social Institutions3
EDUC 421Children's Literature3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302Mathematics in Elementary Education II 13
or SPLED 409C Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of History courses from the following:3
HIST/AMST 3
The American Nation: Historical Perspectives Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 12
History of Pennsylvania Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 20
American Civilization to 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 21
American Civilization Since 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits of Literature courses3
Select 3 credits of Elective courses3
1

Select SPLED 409C if completing Special Education Certificate.

English/Language Arts and Reading (4-8) Option (30 credits)
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302Mathematics in Elementary Education II3
EDUC 416Teaching Secondary English and the Humanities3
ENGL 470Rhetorical Theory and Practice3
LLED 420Teaching Adolescent Literature and Literacy3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301Mathematics in Elementary Education I 13
or SPLED 409C Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of British Literature 23
Select 6 credits of American Literature 26
Select 3 credits of History from the following:3
HIST/AMST 3
The American Nation: Historical Perspectives Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 12
History of Pennsylvania Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 20
American Civilization to 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 21
American Civilization Since 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits of Elective courses3
1

Select SPLED 409C for Special Education Certificate.

2

Choice of American and British literature courses must include 3 credits of a GH course and 6 credits of Inter-Domain courses.

Mathematics (4-8) Option (29 credits)
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302Mathematics in Elementary Education II3
EDUC 417Teaching Secondary Mathematics3
MATH 22College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 37Finite Mathematics Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
STAT 200Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course4
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301Mathematics in Elementary Education I 13
or SPLED 409C Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of Literature Courses3
Select 3 credits of History courses from the following:3
HIST/AMST 3
The American Nation: Historical Perspectives Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 12
History of Pennsylvania Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 20
American Civilization to 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
HIST 21
American Civilization Since 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
1

Select SPLED 409C if completing Special Education Certificate.

Social Studies (4-8) Option (30 credits)
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302Mathematics in Elementary Education II3
EDUC 415Teaching Secondary Social Studies3
HIST 12History of Pennsylvania Keystone/General Education Course3
HIST 20American Civilization to 1877 Keystone/General Education Course3
HIST 21American Civilization Since 1877 Keystone/General Education Course3
HIST 320Contemporary World History and Issues3
PLSC 1American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers Keystone/General Education Course3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301Mathematics in Elementary Education I 13
or SPLED 409C Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of Literature courses3
Select 3 credits of Elective courses3
1

Select SPLED 409C if completing the Special Education Certificate.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Harrisburg

Reuben S. Asempapa, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
W331D Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6354
rsa26@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

PK-4 Early Childhood Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGL 15, 15S, 30T, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡#3CAS 100A or 100S‡3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13EDTHP 115S (GS/US)*23 
MATH 200 (GQ)*#†3MATH 201 (GQ)*#†3 
HIST 3, 12, 20, or 21 (GH/US)*†3General Education Course (GN)*†13 
General Education Course3HDFS 229 (GS)*†3 
 15 15 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CI 295A*3EDUC 466 (GS)*3 
EDPSY 14 (GS)3ENGL 202A (GWS)*‡3 
Select Literature Course (GH) *#†33GEOG 126 (GS/IL/US)*3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13SPLED 404*3 
General Education Course3General Education Course3 
 15 15 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDMTH 301*3EDUC 304*3Optional Add-on6
EDUC 305*3EDUC 352*3 
EDUC 315Y*3EDUC 353*3 
EDUC 410*3EDUC 320*3 
EDUC 454*3EDUC 495A*1 
EDUC 421*3EDUC 404*3 
Optional Add-on4EDUC 306*2 
 Optional Add-on5 
 18 18 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
EDUC 303*3EDUC 490*12 
EDUC 321*3Optional Add-on8 
EDMTH 302 or SPLED 409C*3  
EDUC 495B*3  
EDUC 403*3  
Optional Add-on7  
 15 12 
Total Credits 123
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

2

If EDTHP 115S is not available, a student may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

3

Select Literature course from list below (or as approved by an academic adviser).

4

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 467 or Special Education Certificate Courses: EDUC 477 subs for SPLED 409A.

5

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 468. Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 452 subs for SPLED 409B.

6

Optional Add-on:

Special Education Course: (Either Summer or Spring of Senior Year) A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute for SPLED 462. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.

7

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 469 or Special Education Certificate Course: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418.

8

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Courses: EDUC 475 and EDUC 495 (1 credit) or Special Education Certificate Course: SPLED 462 (Take either Summer of Junior Year or Spring of Senior Year). (Note: A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.)

EDUC 495 - Special Ed Internship (3 credits). May be combined with student teaching if all coursework has been completed and is recommended by the adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Program Notes (courses not on this list need to be approved by an academic adviser):

Select 3 credits of Literature from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • APLING 220N (GH/GS/IL)- Multilingual Lives: Stories of Language and Culture Learning (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • CMLIT 1, 1H (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Through the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 2 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Since the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 3 (GH/IL) - Introduction to African Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 4, 4H/ASIA 4 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Asian Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 5 (GH/IL/US) - Introduction to Literatures of the Americas (3)
  • CMLIT 6/PHIL 6 (GH/IL) - Literature and Philosophy (3)
  • CMLIT 10 (GH/IL) - World Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 11 (GH/IL) - The Hero in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 100 (GH/IL) – Reading Across Cultures (3)
  • CMLIT 101 (GH/IL/US) - Race, Gender, and Identity in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 105 (GH/IL) - The Development of Literary Humor (3)
  • CMLIT 106 (GH/IL) - The Arthurian Legend (3)
  • CMLIT 107 (GH/IL) – Exploration, Travel, Migration, and Exile (3)
  • CMLIT 108 (GH/IL) - Myths and Mythologies (3)
  • CMLIT 109 (GH/IL/US) – Native American Myths, Legends, and Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 110/JST 131 (GH/IL/US) - Jewish Literature: An International Perspective (3)
  • CMLIT 111 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Literatures of India (3)
  • CMLIT 130 (GH/IL) – Banned Books: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 140 (GH/IL) – Literature and Other Arts: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 141 (GH/IL/US) - Religion and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 153 (GH/IL) International Cultures: Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 183Q/SC 183Q (GH/GN) – From Beast Books to Resurrecting Dinosaurs (3)
  • ENGL 101 (GH) – Introduction to Literature (3)
  • ENGL 103 (GH/US) - The Great Traditions in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 104 (GH) - The Bible as Literature (3)
  • ENGL 112 (GH/US) – Pennsylvania Literature (3)
  • ENGL 129, 129H (GH) - Shakespeare (3)
  • ENGL 133 (GH/US) - Modern American Literature to World War II (3)
  • ENGL 134 (GH) - American Comedy (3)
  • ENGL 135, 135S/AMST 135 (GH/US) - Alternative Voices in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 139/AFAM 139 (GH/US) - African American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 140 (GH) - Contemporary Literature (3)
  • ENGL 142N/SC 142N (GH/GN) - Science in Literature (3)
  • ENGL 161N/HIST 162N (GH/GHW/US) – The Pursuit of Happiness in American Life: Historical Literature and Modern Practice (3)
  • ENGL 165N (GH/GS) – Work and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 180 (GH) - Literature and the Natural World (3)
  • ENGL 182A (GH/IL/US)- Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 182C (GH/IL) - Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 183N/PLSC 183N (GH/GS/IL) – The Cold War in Literature, Politics, and History (3)
  • ENGL 184/CMLIT 184 (GH/IL)- The Short Story (3)
  • ENGL 185/CMLIT 185 (GH/IL) – World Novel (3)
  • ENGL 189/CMLIT 189 (GH/IL) - Modern Drama (3)
  • ENGL 191 (GH) - Science Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 194, 194H/WMST 194 (GH/IL/US) - Women Writers (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 224N/ARTH 224N (GH/GN) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ENGL 228 (GH/US) – Introduction to Disability Studies in the Humanities (3)
  • ENGL 233N (GH/GN) – Chemistry and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 236N (GH/GS) – Inequality: Economics, Philosophy, Literature (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GH/GA/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • ENGL 262 (GH) - Reading Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 263 (GH) - Reading Poetry (3)
  • ENGL 265 (GH) - Reading Nonfiction (3)
  • ENGL 268 (GH) - Reading Drama (3)
  • HDFS 254N (GH/GS/US) – Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs (3)
  • LLED 215N (GH/GA) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)

Select 3 credits of Arts courses from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 126N (GA/GH/US) – The Popular Arts in America: The History of Hip-Hop (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AFAM 207N (GA/GS/US) – Jazz and the African American Experience (3)
  • AFAM 226N/AMST 226N (GA/GH) – Critical Approaches to Hip-Hop (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • AMST 307N/ARTH 307N (GA/GH/US) – American Art and Society (3)
  • AMST 308N/ARTH 308N (GA/GH/US) – American Architecture (3)
  • ARCH 170N (GA/GN) – Introduction to Sustainable Architecture (3)
  • ART 51N/METEO 51N (GA/GN) – Meteorology and Visual Arts: To See Is to See (3)
  • ART 175N (GA/GS) – Intersections Between Art and Psychology (3)
  • ART 207N (GA/GS/US/IL) – LGBTQ+ Identity, Culture, and The Arts (3)
  • ARTH 105N (GA/GS) – Pictures and Power (3)
  • ARTH 107N (GA/GS) – Rocks, Minerals, and the History of Art (3)
  • ARTH 115N (GA/GH) – Arts of Love (3)
  • ARTH 202N (GA/GH/IL) – Renaissance to Modern Architecture (3)
  • ARTH 222N/ARTH 222Q (GA/GS/IL) – Intersections Between Art History and the History of Psychology (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ARTH 225N/ENGL 225N/WMNST 225N (GA/GH) – Sexuality and Modern Visual Culture (3)
  • ASTRO 7N (GA/GN) – The Artistic Universe (3)
  • ASTRO 141N (GA/GN) – Film and Extraterrestrial Life: Science Fact or Fiction? (3)
  • CHNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Chinese Film and New Media (3)
  • CMLIT 112N (GA/GH/IL/US) – Introduction to Global Drama, Theatre, and Performance (3)
  • CMLIT 128N (GA/GH/IL/US) – The Holocaust in Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 191N (GA/GH/US) – Introduction to Video Game Culture (3)
  • CMLIT 240Q/HIST 240Q/IT 240Q/WMNST 240Q (GA/GH/IL) – Artistic Patronage in Europe (3)
  • COMM 20N/SOC 20N (GA/GS) – Critical Media Literacy (3)
  • COMM 101N (GA/GS) – Understanding and Enhancing Creativity (3)
  • COMM 150N/Q (GA/GH) – The Art of the Cinema (3)
  • COMM 175N/PSYCH 175N (GA/GS) – Mental Illness and the Movies (3)
  • COMM 208N (GA/GS) – Visual Representations of the Middle East in the US and the Middle East (3)
  • COMM 222N (GA/GH) – Social Justice and the Image (3)
  • COMM 290N/SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • DART 102N (GA/GH) – Introduction to 2d Digital Art and Technology (3)
  • ENGL 208N/MUSIC 209N (GA/GH/US) – The Music of the Beatles and American Popular Culture (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GA/GH/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • FR 138N (GA/GH) – French Culture Through Film (3)
  • GAME 180N (GA/GN) – The Art and Science of Virtual Worlds (3)
  • GER 189N (GA/GH/IL) – German Film (3)
  • HDFS 175N (GA/GS) – Introduction to Youth Development and Arts-Based Social Justice (3)
  • HUM 150N (GH/GA) – World Mythologies in the Arts (3)
  • HUM 311N (GA/GH/IL) – The Western Tradition I (3)
  • JAPNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Japanese Film and New Media (3)
  • LLED 215N (GA/GH) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)
  • PHIL 136N (GA/GH) – Art and Philosophy in Ancient Greece (3)
  • PSYCH 109N (GA/GS) – The Psychology of Artistic Creativity (3)
  • PSYCH 246N (GA/GS) – Human Factors in Design and Art (3)
  • SC 60N (GA/GN) - Art in the Natural World (3)
  • SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • THEA 101N (GA/GS) – Performance and Society (3)
  • WMNST 106N/Q (GA/GH/US/IL) – Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art and Popular Cultures (3)

Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGL 15, 15S, 30T, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡#3CAS 100A or 100S‡3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13EDTHP 115S (GS/US)*23 
MATH 200 (GQ)*#†3MATH 201 (GQ)*#†3 
HIST 3, 12, 20, or 21 (GH/US)*†3General Education Course (GN)*†13 
General Education Course3HDFS 239 (GS)*†3 
 General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 15 16.5 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CI 295B*3EDUC 466 (GS)*3 
EDPSY 14 (GS)3ENGL 202A (GWS)*‡3 
Select Literature Course (GH) *#†33GEOG 126 (GS/IL/US)*3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13SPLED 404*3 
General Education Course3Select Literature Literature3 
General Education Course (GHW)1.5  
 16.5 15 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDMTH 301 or SPLED 409C*3EDUC 304*3Optional Add-on6
EDUC 305*3EDUC 320*3 
EDUC 315Y*3EDUC 322*3 
EDUC 454*3EDUC 352*3 
ENGL 470*3EDUC 353*3 
Optional Add-on4EDUC 495A*1 
 Optional Add-on5 
 15 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
EDUC 303*3EDUC 490*12 
EDUC 321*3Optional Add-on8 
EDMTH 302*3  
EDUC 495B*3  
EDUC 416*3  
Optional Add-on7  
 15 12 
Total Credits 121
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

2

If EDTHP 115S is not available, a student may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

3

Select Literature course from list below (or as approved by an academic adviser).

4

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 467 or Special Education Certificate Courses: EDUC 477 subs for SPLED 409A.

5

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 468 or Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 452 subs for SPLED 409B.

6

Optional Add-on:

Special Education Course: A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute for SPLED 462 in Spring of Senior Year. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.

7

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 469 or Special Education Certificate Course: PSYCH 443.

8

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Courses: EDUC 475 and EDUC 495 (1 credit) or Special Education Certificate Course: SPLED 462 (Take either Summer of Junior Year or Spring of Senior Year). (Note: A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.)

EDUC 495 - Special Ed Internship (3 credits). May be combined with student teaching if all coursework has been completed and is recommended by the adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Program Notes (courses not on this list need to be approved by an academic adviser):

Select 3 credits of Literature from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • APLING 220N (GH/GS/IL)- Multilingual Lives: Stories of Language and Culture Learning (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • CMLIT 1, 1H (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Through the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 2 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Since the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 3 (GH/IL) - Introduction to African Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 4, 4H/ASIA 4 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Asian Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 5 (GH/IL/US) - Introduction to Literatures of the Americas (3)
  • CMLIT 6/PHIL 6 (GH/IL) - Literature and Philosophy (3)
  • CMLIT 10 (GH/IL) - World Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 11 (GH/IL) - The Hero in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 100 (GH/IL) – Reading Across Cultures (3)
  • CMLIT 101 (GH/IL/US) - Race, Gender, and Identity in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 105 (GH/IL) - The Development of Literary Humor (3)
  • CMLIT 106 (GH/IL) - The Arthurian Legend (3)
  • CMLIT 107 (GH/IL) – Exploration, Travel, Migration, and Exile (3)
  • CMLIT 108 (GH/IL) - Myths and Mythologies (3)
  • CMLIT 109 (GH/IL/US) – Native American Myths, Legends, and Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 110/JST 131 (GH/IL/US) - Jewish Literature: An International Perspective (3)
  • CMLIT 111 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Literatures of India (3)
  • CMLIT 130 (GH/IL) – Banned Books: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • Date: 1-8-2021 Penn State Harrisburg Teacher Education
  • CMLIT 140 (GH/IL) – Literature and Other Arts: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 141 (GH/IL/US) - Religion and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 153 (GH/IL) International Cultures: Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 183Q/SC 183Q (GH/GN) – From Beast Books to Resurrecting Dinosaurs (3)
  • ENGL 101 (GH) – Introduction to Literature (3)
  • ENGL 103 (GH/US) - The Great Traditions in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 104 (GH) - The Bible as Literature (3)
  • ENGL 112 (GH/US) – Pennsylvania Literature (3)
  • ENGL 129, 129H (GH) - Shakespeare (3)
  • ENGL 133 (GH/US) - Modern American Literature to World War II (3)
  • ENGL 134 (GH) - American Comedy (3)
  • ENGL 135, 135S/AMST 135 (GH/US) - Alternative Voices in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 139/AFAM 139 (GH/US) - African American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 140 (GH) - Contemporary Literature (3)
  • ENGL 142N/SC 142N (GH/GN) - Science in Literature (3)
  • ENGL 161N/HIST 162N (GH/GHW/US) – The Pursuit of Happiness in American Life: Historical Literature and Modern Practice (3)
  • ENGL 165N (GH/GS) – Work and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 180 (GH) - Literature and the Natural World (3)
  • ENGL 182A (GH/IL/US)- Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 182C (GH/IL) - Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 183N/PLSC 183N (GH/GS/IL) – The Cold War in Literature, Politics, and History (3)
  • ENGL 184/CMLIT 184 (GH/IL)- The Short Story (3)
  • ENGL 185/CMLIT 185 (GH/IL) – World Novel (3)
  • ENGL 189/CMLIT 189 (GH/IL) - Modern Drama (3)
  • ENGL 191 (GH) - Science Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 194, 194H/WMST 194 (GH/IL/US) - Women Writers (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 224N/ARTH 224N (GH/GN) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ENGL 228 (GH/US) – Introduction to Disability Studies in the Humanities (3)
  • ENGL 233N (GH/GN) – Chemistry and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 236N (GH/GS) – Inequality: Economics, Philosophy, Literature (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GH/GA/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • ENGL 262 (GH) - Reading Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 263 (GH) - Reading Poetry (3)
  • ENGL 265 (GH) - Reading Nonfiction (3)
  • ENGL 268 (GH) - Reading Drama (3)
  • HDFS 254N (GH/GS/US) – Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs (3)
  • LLED 215N (GH/GA) – Children's Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)

Select 3 credits of Arts from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 126N (GA/GH/US) – The Popular Arts in America: The History of Hip-Hop (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AFAM 207N (GA/GS/US) – Jazz and the African American Experience (3)
  • AFAM 226N/AMST 226N (GA/GH) – Critical Approaches to Hip-Hop (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • AMST 307N/ARTH 307N (GA/GH/US) – American Art and Society (3)
  • AMST 308N/ARTH 308N (GA/GH/US) – American Architecture (3)
  • ARCH 170N (GA/GN) – Introduction to Sustainable Architecture (3)
  • ART 51N/METEO 51N (GA/GN) – Meteorology and Visual Arts: To See Is to See (3)
  • ART 175N (GA/GS) – Intersections Between Art and Psychology (3)
  • ART 207N (GA/GS/US/IL) – LGBTQ+ Identity, Culture, and The Arts (3)
  • ARTH 105N (GA/GS) – Pictures and Power (3)
  • ARTH 107N (GA/GS) – Rocks, Minerals, and the History of Art (3)
  • ARTH 115N (GA/GH) – Arts of Love (3)
  • ARTH 202N (GA/GH/IL) – Renaissance to Modern Architecture (3)
  • ARTH 222N/ARTH 222Q (GA/GS/IL) – Intersections Between Art History and the History of Psychology (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ARTH 225N/ENGL 225N/WMNST 225N (GA/GH) – Sexuality and Modern Visual Culture (3)
  • ASTRO 7N (GA/GN) – The Artistic Universe (3)
  • ASTRO 141N (GA/GN) – Film and Extraterrestrial Life: Science Fact or Fiction? (3)
  • CHNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Chinese Film and New Media (3)
  • CMLIT 112N (GA/GH/IL/US) – Introduction to Global Drama, Theatre, and Performance (3)
  • CMLIT 128N (GA/GH/IL/US) – The Holocaust in Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 191N (GA/GH/US) – Introduction to Video Game Culture (3)
  • CMLIT 240Q/HIST 240Q/IT 240Q/WMNST 240Q (GA/GH/IL) – Artistic Patronage in Europe (3)
  • COMM 20N/SOC 20N (GA/GS) – Critical Media Literacy (3)
  • COMM 101N (GA/GS) – Understanding and Enhancing Creativity (3)
  • COMM 150N/Q (GA/GH) – The Art of the Cinema (3)
  • COMM 175N/PSYCH 175N (GA/GS) – Mental Illness and the Movies (3)
  • COMM 208N (GA/GS) – Visual Representations of the Middle East in the US and the Middle East (3)
  • COMM 222N (GA/GH) – Social Justice and the Image (3)
  • COMM 290N/SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • DART 102N (GA/GH) – Introduction to 2d Digital Art and Technology (3)
  • ENGL 208N/MUSIC 209N (GA/GH/US) – The Music of the Beatles and American Popular Culture (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GA/GH/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • FR 138N (GA/GH) – French Culture Through Film (3)
  • GAME 180N (GA/GN) – The Art and Science of Virtual Worlds (3)
  • GER 189N (GA/GH/IL) – German Film (3)
  • HDFS 175N (GA/GS) – Introduction to Youth Development and Arts-Based Social Justice (3)
  • HUM 150N (GH/GA) – World Mythologies in the Arts (3)
  • HUM 311N (GA/GH/IL) – The Western Tradition I (3)
  • JAPNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Japanese Film and New Media (3)
  • LLED 215N (GA/GH) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)
  • PHIL 136N (GA/GH) – Art and Philosophy in Ancient Greece (3)
  • PSYCH 109N (GA/GS) – The Psychology of Artistic Creativity (3)
  • PSYCH 246N (GA/GS) – Human Factors in Design and Art (3)
  • SC 60N (GA/GN) - Art in the Natural World (3)
  • SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • THEA 101N (GA/GS) – Performance and Society (3)
  • WMNST 106N/Q (GA/GH/US/IL) – Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art and Popular Cultures (3)

Grades 4-8 Mathematics Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGL 15, 15S, 30T, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡#3CAS 100A or 100S‡3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13EDTHP 115S (GS/US)*23 
MATH 200 (GQ)*#†3Quantification Course MATH 201 (GQ)*#†3 
HIST 3, 12, 20, or 21 (GH/US)*†3General Education Course (GN)*†13 
General Education Course3HDFS 239 (GS)*†3 
 General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 15 16.5 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CI 295B*3EDUC 466 (GS)*3 
EDPSY 14 (GS)3ENGL 202A (GWS)‡3 
Select Literature Course*#†33GEOG 126 (GS/IL/US)*3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13SPLED 404*3 
General Education Course3General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
MATH 22*3MATH 37*3 
 18 16.5 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDUC 305*3EDUC 304*3Optional Add-on6
EDUC 315Y*3EDUC 352*3 
EDUC 454*3EDUC 353*3 
MATH 140*4EDUC 320*3 
EDMTH 301 or SPLED 409C*3EDUC 495A*1 
Optional Add-on4STAT 200*4 
 Optional Add-on5 
 16 17 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
EDUC 303*3EDUC 490*12 
EDUC 321*3Optional Add-on8 
EDMTH 302*3  
EDUC 495B*3  
EDUC 417*3  
Optional Add-on7  
 15 12 
Total Credits 126
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

2

If EDTHP 115S is not available, a student may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

3

Select Literature. See list below for Literature courses (or as approved by an academic adviser).

4

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 467 or Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 477 subs for SPLED 409A.

5

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 468 or Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 452 subs for SPLED 409B.

6

Optional Add-on:

Special Education Course: (Either summer or Spring of Senior Year) A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute for SPLED 462. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.

7

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 469 or Special Education Certificate Courses: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418.

8

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Courses: EDUC 475 and EDUC 495 (1 credit) or Special Education Certificate Course: SPLED 462. (Either Summer of Junior Year or Spring of Senior Year). (Note: A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.)

EDUC 495 - Special Ed Internship (3 credits). May be combined with student teaching if all coursework has been completed and is recommended by the adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Program Notes (courses not on this list need to be approved by an academic adviser):

Select 3 credits of literature from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • APLING 220N (GH/GS/IL)- Multilingual Lives: Stories of Language and Culture Learning (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • CMLIT 1, 1H (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Through the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 2 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Since the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 3 (GH/IL) - Introduction to African Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 4, 4H/ASIA 4 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Asian Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 5 (GH/IL/US) - Introduction to Literatures of the Americas (3)
  • CMLIT 6/PHIL 6 (GH/IL) - Literature and Philosophy (3)
  • CMLIT 10 (GH/IL) - World Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 11 (GH/IL) - The Hero in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 100 (GH/IL) – Reading Across Cultures (3)
  • CMLIT 101 (GH/IL/US) - Race, Gender, and Identity in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 105 (GH/IL) - The Development of Literary Humor (3)
  • CMLIT 106 (GH/IL) - The Arthurian Legend (3)
  • CMLIT 107 (GH/IL) – Exploration, Travel, Migration, and Exile (3)
  • CMLIT 108 (GH/IL) - Myths and Mythologies (3)
  • CMLIT 109 (GH/IL/US) – Native American Myths, Legends, and Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 110/JST 131 (GH/IL/US) - Jewish Literature: An International Perspective (3)
  • CMLIT 111 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Literatures of India (3)
  • CMLIT 130 (GH/IL) – Banned Books: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 140 (GH/IL) – Literature and Other Arts: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 141 (GH/IL/US) - Religion and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 153 (GH/IL) International Cultures: Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 183Q/SC 183Q (GH/GN) – From Beast Books to Resurrecting Dinosaurs (3)
  • ENGL 101 (GH) – Introduction to Literature (3)
  • ENGL 103 (GH/US) - The Great Traditions in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 104 (GH) - The Bible as Literature (3)
  • ENGL 112 (GH/US) – Pennsylvania Literature (3)
  • ENGL 129, 129H (GH) - Shakespeare (3)
  • ENGL 133 (GH/US) - Modern American Literature to World War II (3)
  • ENGL 134 (GH) - American Comedy (3)
  • ENGL 135, 135S/AMST 135 (GH/US) - Alternative Voices in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 139/AFAM 139 (GH/US) - African American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 140 (GH) - Contemporary Literature (3)
  • ENGL 142N/SC 142N (GH/GN) - Science in Literature (3)
  • ENGL 161N/HIST 162N (GH/GHW/US) – The Pursuit of Happiness in American Life: Historical Literature and Modern Practice (3)
  • ENGL 165N (GH/GS) – Work and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 180 (GH) - Literature and the Natural World (3)
  • ENGL 182A (GH/IL/US)- Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 182C (GH/IL) - Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 183N/PLSC 183N (GH/GS/IL) – The Cold War in Literature, Politics, and History (3)
  • ENGL 184/CMLIT 184 (GH/IL)- The Short Story (3)
  • ENGL 185/CMLIT 185 (GH/IL) – World Novel (3)
  • ENGL 189/CMLIT 189 (GH/IL) - Modern Drama (3)
  • ENGL 191 (GH) - Science Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 194, 194H/WMST 194 (GH/IL/US) - Women Writers (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 224N/ARTH 224N (GH/GN) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ENGL 228 (GH/US) – Introduction to Disability Studies in the Humanities (3)
  • ENGL 233N (GH/GN) – Chemistry and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 236N (GH/GS) – Inequality: Economics, Philosophy, Literature (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GH/GA/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • ENGL 262 (GH) - Reading Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 263 (GH) - Reading Poetry (3)
  • ENGL 265 (GH) - Reading Nonfiction (3)
  • ENGL 268 (GH) - Reading Drama (3)
  • HDFS 254N (GH/GS/US) – Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs (3)
  • LLED 215N (GH/GA) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)

Select 3 credits of Arts from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 126N (GA/GH/US) – The Popular Arts in America: The History of Hip-Hop (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AFAM 207N (GA/GS/US) – Jazz and the African American Experience (3)
  • AFAM 226N/AMST 226N (GA/GH) – Critical Approaches to Hip-Hop (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • AMST 307N/ARTH 307N (GA/GH/US) – American Art and Society (3)
  • AMST 308N/ARTH 308N (GA/GH/US) – American Architecture (3)
  • ARCH 170N (GA/GN) – Introduction to Sustainable Architecture (3)
  • ART 51N/METEO 51N (GA/GN) – Meteorology and Visual Arts: To See Is to See (3)
  • ART 175N (GA/GS) – Intersections Between Art and Psychology (3)
  • ART 207N (GA/GS/US/IL) – LGBTQ+ Identity, Culture, and The Arts (3)
  • ARTH 105N (GA/GS) – Pictures and Power (3)
  • ARTH 107N (GA/GS) – Rocks, Minerals, and the History of Art (3)
  • ARTH 115N (GA/GH) – Arts of Love (3)
  • ARTH 202N (GA/GH/IL) – Renaissance to Modern Architecture (3)
  • ARTH 222N/ARTH 222Q (GA/GS/IL) – Intersections Between Art History and the History of Psychology (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ARTH 225N/ENGL 225N/WMNST 225N (GA/GH) – Sexuality and Modern Visual Culture (3)
  • ASTRO 7N (GA/GN) – The Artistic Universe (3)
  • ASTRO 141N (GA/GN) – Film and Extraterrestrial Life: Science Fact or Fiction? (3)
  • CHNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Chinese Film and New Media (3)
  • CMLIT 112N (GA/GH/IL/US) – Introduction to Global Drama, Theatre, and Performance (3)
  • CMLIT 128N (GA/GH/IL/US) – The Holocaust in Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 191N (GA/GH/US) – Introduction to Video Game Culture (3)
  • CMLIT 240Q/HIST 240Q/IT 240Q/WMNST 240Q (GA/GH/IL) – Artistic Patronage in Europe (3)
  • COMM 20N/SOC 20N (GA/GS) – Critical Media Literacy (3)
  • COMM 101N (GA/GS) – Understanding and Enhancing Creativity (3)
  • COMM 150N/Q (GA/GH) – The Art of the Cinema (3)
  • COMM 175N/PSYCH 175N (GA/GS) – Mental Illness and the Movies (3)
  • COMM 208N (GA/GS) – Visual Representations of the Middle East in the US and the Middle East (3)
  • COMM 222N (GA/GH) – Social Justice and the Image (3)
  • COMM 290N/SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • DART 102N (GA/GH) – Introduction to 2d Digital Art and Technology (3)
  • ENGL 208N/MUSIC 209N (GA/GH/US) – The Music of the Beatles and American Popular Culture (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GA/GH/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • FR 138N (GA/GH) – French Culture Through Film (3)
  • GAME 180N (GA/GN) – The Art and Science of Virtual Worlds (3)
  • GER 189N (GA/GH/IL) – German Film (3)
  • HDFS 175N (GA/GS) – Introduction to Youth Development and Arts-Based Social Justice (3)
  • HUM 150N (GH/GA) – World Mythologies in the Arts (3)
  • HUM 311N (GA/GH/IL) – The Western Tradition I (3)
  • JAPNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Japanese Film and New Media (3)
  • LLED 215N (GA/GH) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)
  • PHIL 136N (GA/GH) – Art and Philosophy in Ancient Greece (3)
  • PSYCH 109N (GA/GS) – The Psychology of Artistic Creativity (3)
  • PSYCH 246N (GA/GS) – Human Factors in Design and Art (3)
  • SC 60N (GA/GN) - Art in the Natural World (3)
  • SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • THEA 101N (GA/GS) – Performance and Society (3)
  • WMNST 106N/Q (GA/GH/US/IL) – Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art and Popular Cultures (3)

Grades 4-8 Social Studies Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGL 15, 15S, 30T, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡#3CAS 100A or 100S‡3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13EDTHP 115S (GS/US)*23 
MATH 200 (GQ)*#†3MATH 201 (GQ)*#†3 
HIST 12*†3General Education Course (GN)*†13 
General Education Course3HDFS 239 (GS)*†3 
 General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 15 16.5 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CI 295B*3EDUC 466 (GS)*3 
EDPSY 14 (GS)3ENGL 202A (GWS)‡3 
Select American Course (GH) *#†33GEOG 126 (GS/IL/US)*3 
General Education Course (GN)*†13SPLED 404*3 
General Education Course3General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
HIST 20 (GH/US), HIST 21 (GH/US), HIST 320, or PLSC 1 (GS/US)*3HIST 20 (GH/US), HIST 21 (GH/US), HIST 320, or PLSC 1 (GS/US)*3 
 18 16.5 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDMTH 301 or SPLED 409C*3EDUC 304*3Optional Add-on6
EDUC 305*3EDUC 352*3 
EDUC 315Y*3EDUC 353*3 
HIST 20 (GH/US), HIST 21 (GH/US), HIST 320, or PLSC 1 (GS/US)*3HIST 20 (GH/US), HIST 21 (GH/US), HIST 320, or PLSC 1 (GS/US)*3 
EDUC 454*3EDUC 320*3 
Optional Add-on4EDUC 495A*1 
 Optional Add-on5 
 15 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
EDUC 303*3EDUC 490*12 
EDUC 321*3Optional Add-on8 
EDMTH 302*3  
EDUC 495B*3  
EDUC 415*3  
Optional Add-on7  
 15 12 
Total Credits 124
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

2

If EDTHP 115S is not available, a student may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

3

Select Literature. See list below for Literature courses (or as approved by an academic adviser).

4

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 467 or Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 477 subs for SPLED 409A.

5

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course: EDUC 468. Special Education Certificate Course: EDUC 452 subs for SPLED 409B.

6

Optional Add-on:

Special Education Course: (Either Summer or Spring of Senior Year) A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute for SPLED 462. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.

7

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Course:EDUC 469 or Special Education Certificate Course: PSYCH 443.

8

Optional Add-on:

ESL Certificate Courses: EDUC 475 and EDUC 495 (1 credit) or Special Education Certificate Course: SPLED 462. (Either Summer or Spring of Senior Year). (Note: A World Campus course offered in summer may substitute. Contact adviser before scheduling on World Campus.)

EDUC 495 - Special Ed Internship (3 credits). May be combined with student teaching if all coursework has been completed and is recommended by the adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Program Notes (courses not on this list need to be approved by an academic adviser):

Select 3 credits of Literature from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • APLING 220N (GH/GS/IL)- Multilingual Lives: Stories of Language and Culture Learning (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • CMLIT 1, 1H (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Through the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 2 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Western Literatures Since the Renaissance (3)
  • CMLIT 3 (GH/IL) - Introduction to African Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 4, 4H/ASIA 4 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Asian Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 5 (GH/IL/US) - Introduction to Literatures of the Americas (3)
  • CMLIT 6/PHIL 6 (GH/IL) - Literature and Philosophy (3)
  • CMLIT 10 (GH/IL) - World Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 11 (GH/IL) - The Hero in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 100 (GH/IL) – Reading Across Cultures (3)
  • CMLIT 101 (GH/IL/US) - Race, Gender, and Identity in World Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 105 (GH/IL) - The Development of Literary Humor (3)
  • CMLIT 106 (GH/IL) - The Arthurian Legend (3)
  • CMLIT 107 (GH/IL) – Exploration, Travel, Migration, and Exile (3)
  • CMLIT 108 (GH/IL) - Myths and Mythologies (3)
  • CMLIT 109 (GH/IL/US) – Native American Myths, Legends, and Literatures (3)
  • CMLIT 110/JST 131 (GH/IL/US) - Jewish Literature: An International Perspective (3)
  • CMLIT 111 (GH/IL) - Introduction to Literatures of India (3)
  • CMLIT 130 (GH/IL) – Banned Books: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 140 (GH/IL) – Literature and Other Arts: International and Comparative Perspectives (3)
  • CMLIT 141 (GH/IL/US) - Religion and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 153 (GH/IL) International Cultures: Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 183Q/SC 183Q (GH/GN) – From Beast Books to Resurrecting Dinosaurs (3)
  • ENGL 101 (GH) – Introduction to Literature (3)
  • ENGL 103 (GH/US) - The Great Traditions in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 104 (GH) - The Bible as Literature (3)
  • ENGL 112 (GH/US) – Pennsylvania Literature (3)
  • ENGL 129, 129H (GH) - Shakespeare (3)
  • ENGL 133 (GH/US) - Modern American Literature to World War II (3)
  • ENGL 134 (GH) - American Comedy (3)
  • ENGL 135, 135S/AMST 135 (GH/US) - Alternative Voices in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 139/AFAM 139 (GH/US) - African American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 140 (GH) - Contemporary Literature (3)
  • ENGL 142N/SC 142N (GH/GN) - Science in Literature (3)
  • ENGL 161N/HIST 162N (GH/GHW/US) – The Pursuit of Happiness in American Life: Historical Literature and Modern Practice (3)
  • ENGL 165N (GH/GS) – Work and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 180 (GH) - Literature and the Natural World (3)
  • ENGL 182A (GH/IL/US)- Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 182C (GH/IL) - Literature and Empire (3)
  • ENGL 183N/PLSC 183N (GH/GS/IL) – The Cold War in Literature, Politics, and History (3)
  • ENGL 184/CMLIT 184 (GH/IL)- The Short Story (3)
  • ENGL 185/CMLIT 185 (GH/IL) – World Novel (3)
  • ENGL 189/CMLIT 189 (GH/IL) - Modern Drama (3)
  • ENGL 191 (GH) - Science Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 194, 194H/WMST 194 (GH/IL/US) - Women Writers (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 224N/ARTH 224N (GH/GN) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ENGL 228 (GH/US) – Introduction to Disability Studies in the Humanities (3)
  • ENGL 233N (GH/GN) – Chemistry and Literature (3)
  • ENGL 236N (GH/GS) – Inequality: Economics, Philosophy, Literature (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GH/GA/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • ENGL 262 (GH) - Reading Fiction (3)
  • ENGL 263 (GH) - Reading Poetry (3)
  • ENGL 265 (GH) - Reading Nonfiction (3)
  • ENGL 268 (GH) - Reading Drama (3)
  • HDFS 254N (GH/GS/US) – Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs (3)
  • LLED 215N (GH/GA) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)

Select 3 credits of Arts from the following:

  • AA 193N (GA/GH) – The Craft of Comics (3)
  • AFAM 126N (GA/GH/US) – The Popular Arts in America: The History of Hip-Hop (3)
  • AFAM 141N (GA/GH/US) – African American Read-In Engaged Learning Experience (3)
  • AFAM 207N (GA/GS/US) – Jazz and the African American Experience (3)
  • AFAM 226N/AMST 226N (GA/GH) – Critical Approaches to Hip-Hop (3)
  • AMST 150N (GA/GH/US) – Western Pennsylvania Art, Literature, and Culture (3)
  • AMST 307N/ARTH 307N (GA/GH/US) – American Art and Society (3)
  • AMST 308N/ARTH 308N (GA/GH/US) – American Architecture (3)
  • ARCH 170N (GA/GN) – Introduction to Sustainable Architecture (3)
  • ART 51N/METEO 51N (GA/GN) – Meteorology and Visual Arts: To See Is to See (3)
  • ART 175N (GA/GS) – Intersections Between Art and Psychology (3)
  • ART 207N (GA/GS/US/IL) – LGBTQ+ Identity, Culture, and The Arts (3)
  • ARTH 105N (GA/GS) – Pictures and Power (3)
  • ARTH 107N (GA/GS) – Rocks, Minerals, and the History of Art (3)
  • ARTH 115N (GA/GH) – Arts of Love (3)
  • ARTH 202N (GA/GH/IL) – Renaissance to Modern Architecture (3)
  • ARTH 222N/ARTH 222Q (GA/GS/IL) – Intersections Between Art History and the History of Psychology (3)
  • ARTH 224N (GA/GH) – Authors and Artists (3)
  • ARTH 225N/ENGL 225N/WMNST 225N (GA/GH) – Sexuality and Modern Visual Culture (3)
  • ASTRO 7N (GA/GN) – The Artistic Universe (3)
  • ASTRO 141N (GA/GN) – Film and Extraterrestrial Life: Science Fact or Fiction? (3)
  • CHNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Chinese Film and New Media (3)
  • CMLIT 112N (GA/GH/IL/US) – Introduction to Global Drama, Theatre, and Performance (3)
  • CMLIT 128N (GA/GH/IL/US) – The Holocaust in Film and Literature (3)
  • CMLIT 191N (GA/GH/US) – Introduction to Video Game Culture (3)
  • CMLIT 240Q/HIST 240Q/IT 240Q/WMNST 240Q (GA/GH/IL) – Artistic Patronage in Europe (3)
  • COMM 20N/SOC 20N (GA/GS) – Critical Media Literacy (3)
  • COMM 101N (GA/GS) – Understanding and Enhancing Creativity (3)
  • COMM 150N/Q (GA/GH) – The Art of the Cinema (3)
  • COMM 175N/PSYCH 175N (GA/GS) – Mental Illness and the Movies (3)
  • COMM 208N (GA/GS) – Visual Representations of the Middle East in the US and the Middle East (3)
  • COMM 222N (GA/GH) – Social Justice and the Image (3)
  • COMM 290N/SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • DART 102N (GA/GH) – Introduction to 2d Digital Art and Technology (3)
  • ENGL 208N/MUSIC 209N (GA/GH/US) – The Music of the Beatles and American Popular Culture (3)
  • ENGL 223N (GA/GH) – Shakespeare: Page, Stage, and Screen (3)
  • ENGL 237N (GA/GH/US) – Reading and Writing Documentary (3)
  • FR 138N (GA/GH) – French Culture Through Film (3)
  • GAME 180N (GA/GN) – The Art and Science of Virtual Worlds (3)
  • GER 189N (GA/GH/IL) – German Film (3)
  • HDFS 175N (GA/GS) – Introduction to Youth Development and Arts-Based Social Justice (3)
  • HUM 150N (GH/GA) – World Mythologies in the Arts (3)
  • HUM 311N (GA/GH/IL) – The Western Tradition I (3)
  • JAPNS 121N (GA/GH/IL) – Japanese Film and New Media (3)
  • LLED 215N (GA/GH) – Children’s Picture Books as Multimodal Texts (3)
  • PHIL 136N (GA/GH) – Art and Philosophy in Ancient Greece (3)
  • PSYCH 109N (GA/GS) – The Psychology of Artistic Creativity (3)
  • PSYCH 246N (GA/GS) – Human Factors in Design and Art (3)
  • SC 60N (GA/GN) - Art in the Natural World (3)
  • SOC 290N (GA/GS/IL) – Cinema and Globalization (3)
  • THEA 101N (GA/GS) – Performance and Society (3)
  • WMNST 106N/Q (GA/GH/US/IL) – Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art and Popular Cultures (3)

Career Paths

Elementary and middle-level teachers introduce children to learning through the basics of numbers, language, science, and social studies. They facilitate classroom activities to meet the needs and abilities of their students. They also work with children independently and in small groups. They provide instruction, conduct assessments, listen to presentations, and maintain a positive classroom climate. They individually meet with families and faculty and serve on faculty and community committees. Elementary and middle-level teachers also become supervisors, administrators, and mentors to new teachers.

Careers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for kindergarten and elementary teachers, but employment growth will vary by region. The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to increase over the coming decade, and the number of classes needed to accommodate these students should rise. As a result, more teachers will be needed to teach public kindergarten and elementary school students.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Additional graduate study is available, including graduate certificates in ESL, Special Education, the Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum, and the Master of Education in Literacy Education.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Add-on certifications in Special Education and ESL are possible along with the initial PK-4 or 4-8 PA certifications.

Contact

Harrisburg

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
W331 Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6213
rka12@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/behavioral-sciences-education/teacher-education/elementary-education-beled