New Education Majors at NCC

Education majors are among the most popular at NCC.  We have a lot of students whose goal is to teach in public schools, parochial and private schools, as well as childcare centers and Head Start programs. 

If that includes you, you probably already know that you'll need to have bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university in order to become certified to teach in Pennsylvania.  What you may not know is that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has updated its certifications for new teachers.  These changes go into effect in 2013; anyone graduating from a four-year college or university as a teacher in 2013 or later will apply for a teaching certificate based on the new system.

The new certifications are:  Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 (ages 3-9); Middle School Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14); Secondary Grades 7-12 (ages 11-21).  Education majors will take different classes depending on which grade level they want to teach.  For example, teachers up to grade 4 must have a number of classes specifically in Early Childhood Education in order to meet the new requirements.  Teachers in higher grades must have more science and math credits than had been required previously. 

Northampton is introducing new programs to match these new certifications:  Early Childhood Education (Infant to Grade 4); Middle Level Education (Grades 4 to 8); and General Studies/Secondary Education Intent (grades 7-12).  Choosing the appropriate major will start you on the path toward certification.

Of course, at this point many of you may not know which grade you want to teach.  To help you make that decision, you can take EDUC115 (Education for All Students).  This class explores all levels of teaching, from pre-K to high school.  It also includes real-world experience by sending you out to observe first-hand the different classroom settings.  Spend some time with second or tenth graders, and you'll know if you've found your calling (or not)!

If there's a specific subject you want to teach (English, math, science or social studies), you can consider teaching at either the middle or high school level.  You'll notice that there's some overlap between the certifications, so if you want to teach science to 8th graders, you can be either Middle School or Secondary certified.  Middle School certification will allow you to teach the last two grades of elementary school (4 and 5) and all the grades of middle school.

Some of you may not be interested in earning a bachelor's degree.  Students can graduate with an associate's degree and meet the employment requirements for a number of education fields.  The Early Childhood Education:  Infant to Grade 4 program prepares students to work in childcare centers and Head Start programs.  NCC's Special Education: Paraprofessional Training degree prepares you to work as a teaching assistant in the classroom.