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Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education

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Become a Teacher Who Inspires Students

Our Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education program prepares undergraduate students to join the teaching profession and make a positive impact as educators. The curriculum is fully aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification standards and leads to the Instructional 1 certification. Through your coursework and student teaching experiences, you gain hands-on experience in forms of equity and justice that support the well-being of all learners. 

Taught by our world-class faculty, the B.S. in Teacher Education program leads to teacher certification in the secondary education tracks (for grades 7-12 in English, Math, Science and Social Studies and for PK-12 for World Heritage Languages) and in the special education track (for grades PreK-12). 

For students who are interested in becoming certified to teach in elementary schools we recommend you explore our Combined Accelerated Studies in Education 4+1 program (for undergraduates) or the Primary Plus program (for master’s students).

Quick Facts

  • Program Duration: Four years (students apply to School of Education after earning 48 credits)
  • Time Commitment: Full-time, in-person study
  • Term of Enrollment: Fall and Spring
  • Degree Requirements: Minimum of 120 credits
  • Application Deadline:  Rolling admissions. Priority application deadlines are November 1 for spring start term and March 1 for fall start term. 

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Program Details

Our Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education prepares undergraduate students for teacher certification. Our goal is to help you be the spark that ignites learning in schools and across communities. We want you to become an effective teacher who can make a lasting impact in the lives of their students. 

Teacher Certification Options

  • Grades 7-12 | Secondary Education in English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
  • Grades PreK-12 | Special Education or World and Heritage Languages 

Specializations Available

  • Students in the World and Heritage Languages area can become certified to teach Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish.
  • Students in the Science Education area can specialize in either Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, General Science, or Physics. 

Degree Requirements

School of Education Prerequisites (12 credits) 

All students are required to take 12 credits of education prerequisites.

  • TLL 1580 Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)
  • TLL 1581 Critical Histories of Education (3 credits)
  • TLL 1582 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling (3 credits) OR EFOP 1001 Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
  • HHD 1002 Development: Conception through Early Childhood (3 credits) OR HHD 1003 Development: Middle Childhood through Adolescence (3 credits) OR PSY 0310 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

While we prefer the prerequisites to be completed prior to beginning the program, we will admit students without them if they can fit the prerequisites into their studies. 

Content Area Coursework  (21 - 39 credits)

Students are required to complete coursework through Pitt's Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences based on the content area in which they are earning their teacher certification. This provides students with the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary education that will make them content experts in the subject areas that they will teach in school. The required credits vary based on the program. 

Students are advised to begin completing these courses prior to entering the School of Education so that there is sufficient time to dedicate to the Teacher Education Major Courses in the final two years of study.

English Education

Students pursuing the English Education track are required to complete 21 credits as part of the English Content Coursework requirements:

  • 12 CREDITS IN LITERATURE - CHOOSE AT LEAST 4 COURSES

    • ENGLIT 0300 Introduction to Literature

    • ENGLIT 0315 Reading Poetry

    • ENGLIT 0325 The Short Story

    • ENGLIT 0365 Imagining Social Justice

    • ENGLIT 0506 Literary Field Studies

    • ENGLIT 0560 Children and Culture

    • ENGLIT 0562 Childhood’s Books 

    • ENGLIT 0570 American Literature

    • ENGLIT 0580 Intro to Shakespeare

    • ENGLIT 0610 Women and Literature

    • ENGLIT 0655 Representing Adolescence

    • ENGLIT 0880 Shakespeare and Social Justice

    • ENGLIT 1175 19th C. British Literature

    • ENGLIT 1200 American Lit to 1860

    • ENGLIT 1220 Civil War to WWI in Am. Lit.

    • ENGLIT 1225 19th C. African American Lit.

    • ENGLIT 1230 Twentieth C. African American Literature

    • ENGLIT 1252 Twentieth C. American Lit.

    • ENGLIT 1380 World Lit in English

    • ENGLIT 1382 Prized Books

    • ENGLIT 1635 Children in Pittsburgh

    • *ENGLIT 1645 Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature [check pre-reqs]

  • 3 CREDITS IN COMPOSITION/WRITING - CHOOSE AT LEAST 1 COURSE

    • ENGCMP 1210 Tutoring Peer Writers

    • ENGCMP 0620 Theories of Writing and Teaching

    • ENGCMP 1551 History & Pol. of English Language

    • ENGCMP 1552 Language, Literacy, and Learning

  • 6 CREDITS IN ENGLISH ELECTIVES - CHOOSE AT LEAST 2 COURSES (ONE EACH FROM ENGFLM and ENGWRT)

    • ENGFLM 0355 Visual Literacy

    • ENGFLM 0400 Intro to Film

    • ENGFLM 0401 Intro to Visual Culture

    • ENGFLM 1790 Film and Literature

    • ENGWRT 0400 Introduction to Creative Writing

    • ENGWRT 0520 Introduction to Fiction Writing

    • ENGWRT 0530 Introduction to Poetry Writing

    • ENGWRT 0610 Introduction to Journalism and Nonfiction Writing

Mathematics Education

Students pursuing the Mathematics Education track are required to complete 28 credits as part of the Mathematics Education Content Coursework requirements:

  • Calculus Series (12 credits)
    • Math 0220, Math 0230, Math 0240
  • Introductory Theoretical Mathematics (4 credits)
    • Math 0413
  • Linear Algebra (3 credits)
    • Take one of the following: Math 0280 or Math 1180
  • Number Theory/Abstract Algebra (3 credits)
    • Take Math 0430
  • Geometry (3 credits)
    • Math 1290
  • Statistics/Probability (3 credits)
    • Math 1119 or STAT 1151
Science Education

Students pursing the Science Education track can pursue areas of specialization in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, General Science, and Physics. The required credits range from 21-27 credits based on specialization. 

Biology (26 credits)

  • Foundations of Biology (8 credits)
  • General Chemistry with Labs (8 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Calculus (4 credits)
  • Advanced Biology Courses (3 credits)

Chemistry (23 credits)

  • General Chemistry with Labs (8 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry with Labs (8 credits)
  • Calculus (4 credits) 
  • Physics (3 credits)

Earth and Space Science (26 credits)

  • Earth and Space Science Content (12 credits)
  • General Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Calculus (4 credits)
  • Physics (3 credits) 
  • Biology (4 credits) 

General Science (21 credits)

  • Foundations of Biology with Labs (8 credits)
  • General Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Calculus (4 credits)
  • Physics (3 credits) 
  • Astronomy/Geology (3 credits)

Physics (30 credits)

  • Introductory Physics (8 credits)
  • General Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Advanced Physics (7 credits)
  • Calculus (12 credits)
Social Studies Education

Students pursuing the Social Studies Education track are required to complete 24 credits as part of the Social Studies Content Coursework requirements:

CIVICS - 3 CREDITS
Take one of the following courses:

  • HIST 0612 - Origins of American Capitalism
  • PS 0200 - American Political Process
  • PS 0200 - American Politics
  • PS 0500 - International Relations
  • PS 0500 - World Politics
  • PS 1202 - American Constitutional Law
  • PS 1292 - Race, Gender, and Politics

ECONOMICS - 3 CREDITS
Take one of the following courses:

  • ​HIST 0612 Origins of American Capitalism (recommended)
  • HIST 1145 Intellectual Foundations of Capitalism
  • HIST 1645 American Economic History
  • ECON (Macro or micro economics)

CONTENT AREA - 18 CREDITS
​(1.) Take 6 credits from one of the combinations of course bullets below:

  • U.S. History (6 credits)
    • ​HIST 0600 United States to 1877 AND HIST 0601 United States 1865 to Present
    • HIST 0670 African American History to 1877 AND HIST 0671 African American History Since 1865​

​​​​(2.) Take 12 credits from the categories below. No more than 1 course is allowed from each category.

  • World History/World Cultures (3 credits)
    • HIST 0700 World History
    • HIST 600/601 or HIST 670/671
    • HIST 0100 and HIST 0101 Western Civilization
       
  • Western European History (3 credits)
    • HIST 0100 Western Civilization 1 
    • HIST 0101 Western Civilization 2 
    • HIST 0200 Between Kafka and Hitler: How Central Europe Influenced the World  
    • HIST 1115 West and the World (W)  
    • HIST 0139 Viking Age Scandinavia  
       
  • Ancient History (3 credits)
    • ANTH 0534 Prehistoric Foundations of European Civilization  
    • ANTH 0582 Introduction to Archaeology 
    • CLASS 0032 Athletics of the Ancient World  
    • HIST 0788 Women and Men in Ancient Mediterranean Society  
    • HIST 1775 Origins of Christianity   
    • CLASS 0010 Greek Civilization  
    • HIST 1781 Roman History  
    • HIST 1783 Greek History  
       
  • Geography (3 credits)
    • ANTH 1737 Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology  
    • HIST 0302 Soviet Russia 
    • PS 1351 Government and Politics - Middle East  
    • HIST 0200 Between Kafka and Hitler: How Central Europe Shaped the Modern World * (also counts as Western European) 
    • ANTH 1786 Cultures of the Pacific  
    • HIST 0521 Caribbean History  
    • HIST 0500 Colonial Latin America 
    • HIST 0501 Modern Latin America 
    • HIST 0400 East Asian Civilization to 1800 
    • HIST 0795 History of Africa Before 1800  
    • HIST 1115 The West and the World *(also counts as Western European) 
    • HIST 1131 The Rise of the German Empire  
    • HIST 1586 Latin American Revolutions  
    • HIST 1720 West Africa in the Era of Slave Trade  
       
  • Other Areas of Study (3 credits)
    • Survey of a Period
      • HIST 1610 United States Colonial   
      • HIST 1621 History of the South through the 1880s 
      • HIST 1619 United States Since 1945 
         
    • Race, Class, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality​
      • HIST 1628 The Black West 
      • HIST 1655 American Workers 19th Century  
      • HIST 1656 American Workers 20th Century 
      • HIST 1660 Gender and Sexuality in the US to 1865 
      • HIST 1661 Gender and Sexuality in the US since 1865 
      • HIST 1683 North American Indians Traditional Cultures 
      • HIST 1691 Latino History 
         
    • Themes/Events
      • HIST 1611 American Revolution 1763-1791 
      • HIST 1620 The Vietnam War 
      • HIST 1625 History of the American Frontier 
      • HIST 1640 American Childhoods: Race, Gender, and Citizenship, 1865-Present 
      • HIST 1655 American Workers 19th Century 
      • HIST 1685 US Popular Culture (W) 
      • HIST 1695 Environmental History 
Special Education

No additional coursework is required. 

World and Heritage Language Education

Students are required to complete 24 credits as part of the coursework requirements. Prior to student-teaching, candidates must take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and demonstrate an Intermediate-High Rating or above. Latin students must take the Praxis Exam.

For Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish Language Students (24 credits):

Area 1: Students must take at least 12 Credits in Language and Linguistics

Area 2: Students must take at least 12 Credits in Literature and Culture

For Latin Students (24 credits):

Area 1: Students must take LATIN 1700 Latin Prose Composition (3 credits) and have the option of taking either CLASS 0020 Roman Civilization or CLASS 1220 Roman History (both of which are 3 credits)

Area 2: Students must take at least 18 credits of Latin courses at Intermediate level and beyond (3 credits of Linguistics in English may count toward the 18 credits)

Teacher Education Major Courses (33-36 credits)

The required major courses in the School of Education are designed to prepare students to become teachers who are ready to effectively lead classrooms. Your courses include pedagogy, student support, and student teaching experiences. The Special Education track has 36 credits required, while all the other tracks are 33 credits. 

The major area courses will be completed after declaring your major in the School of Education.

English Education

Students pursuing the English Education track are required to complete 33 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1502 Supporting Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1584 Critical Pedagogies and Praxes (3 credits)
  • TLL 1520 Supporting Literacies in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1585 Teaching and Learning in Secondary English 1 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1586 Teaching and Learning in Secondary English 2 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
Mathematics Education

Students pursuing the Mathematics Education track are required to complete 33 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1502 Supporting Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1584 Critical Pedagogies and Praxes (3 credits)
  • TLL 1520 Supporting Literacies in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1587 Teaching and Learning in Secondary Mathematics 1 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1588 Teaching and Learning in Secondary Mathematics 2 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
Science Education

Students pursuing the Science Education track are required to complete 33 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1502 Supporting Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1584 Critical Pedagogies and Praxes (3 credits)
  • TLL 1520 Supporting Literacies in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1589 Science Education Methods I (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1590 Science Education Methods II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
Special Education

Students pursuing the Special Education track are required to complete 36 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1509 Applied Behavior Analysis/Positive Behavior Support (3 credits)
  • TLL 1521 Proactive Strategies for a Positive Classroom (3 credits)
  • TLL 1511 Curriculum and Program Development for Students with IDD (3 credits)
  • TLL 1513 Instruction Methods for Students with High Incidence Dis/abilities (3 credits)
  • TLL 1512 Assessment and Instruction for Students with Dis/abilities (3 credits)
  • Choose one of the following reading coursework courses (3 credits):
    • TLL 1208 Reading/Writing Methods I PK-Grade 1
    • TLL 1209 Reading/Writing Methods II Grades 2-4
    • TLL 1203 Language and Language Systems (Online)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Special Education Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
Social Studies Education

Students pursuing the Social Studies Education track are required to complete 33 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1502 Supporting Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1584 Critical Pedagogies and Praxes (3 credits)
  • TLL 1520 Supporting Literacies in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1591 Teaching and Learning in Secondary Social Studies 1 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1592 Teaching and Learning in Secondary Social Studies 2 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
World and Heritage Language Education

Students pursuing the World and Heritage Language Education track are required to complete 33 credits as part of the School of Education major requirements:

  • TLL 1257 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
  • TLL 1502 Supporting Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1584 Critical Pedagogies and Praxes (3 credits)
  • TLL 1520 Supporting Literacies in Inclusive Classrooms (3 credits)
  • TLL 1593 Teaching and Learning in World Heritage Languages 1 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1597 Pre-Student Teaching (2 credits)
  • TLL 1596 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
  • TLL 1594 Teaching and Learning in World Heritage Languages 2 (3 credits)
  • TLL 1595 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling II (3 credits)
  • TLL 1598 Student Teaching (8 credits)
  • TLL 1599 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)

University of Pittsburgh General Education Requirements (Credit number varies)

All students are required to take the University of Pittsburgh's required general education courses for undergraduates from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. 

General Education requirements must be completed prior to graduation.  Students should begin completing these courses prior to starting the Teacher Education Major courses.

Admissions Requirements

Career Pathways

The certifications offered by the program provide students with an entry point into the teaching profession, including positions as:

  • Teacher in grades 7-12 in English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies
     
  • Teacher in grades PreK-12 in World Heritage Languages
     
  • Teacher in grades PreK-12 in Special Education
Admissions Requirements Tuition Information