Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education

Become an excellent teacher who inspires students and changes the world.

Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Teacher Education prepares undergraduate students to earn their Pennsylvania teaching certification. Our curriculum is fully aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification standards for Instructional 1 certification.

Students can major in:

For Grades 7-12 — English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, or Social Studies Education
Grades PreK-12 — Special Education, or World and Heritage Language Education (Foreign Languages)

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Enrollment Term

Fall and Spring

Format

In-Person

Credits

Minimum of 120 credits

Application Deadline

Rolling Admissions
November 1 for spring start term
March 1 for fall start term

Duration

Four years
(Students apply to School of Education after earning 48 credits)

Program Overview

Major in Teaching Education

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, General Science, or Physics.

Additional Programs

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

“My experience here has impacted my future as an educator and given me invaluable memories inside and outside the classroom. From professional development to tangible curriculum, the Pitt School of Education has given me something I have found nowhere else."
Robert Revenis, Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education student

“The Pitt School of Education has opened my eyes to the importance of educational equity. They have provided me with a wide array of tools to bring justice to the classroom.”
Emily Janosko, Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education student

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Prerequisites

All students are required to take 12 credits of School 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 1003 Development: Middle Childhood through Adolescence (3 credits) OR either PSY 0310 Developmental Psychology (3 credits) or PSY 1355 Adolescence (3 credits)
- HHD 1002 Development: Conception through Early Childhood (3 credits) is an option for students on Special Education or World Language tracks.

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.

Admission Requirements

Completed Pitt School of Education Undergraduate Admissions Application
Official college transcripts indicating 48 credit hours earned
Overall GPA of 3.0
Fulfillment of all prerequisite coursework

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Curriculum

Major Courses

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.

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Content Area Courses

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.

The courses are between 21 – 39 credits depending on your content area track.

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.

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General Education Requirements

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. The credit hours will vary.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education specifically requires that the following courses must be completed. These can count towards the student’s General Education Requirements.

(1) At least 6 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college-level mathematics.

(2) At least 6 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college-level English composition and literature.

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