Academic Programs

fact sheet

the possibilities.

Gannon student at a local school the possibilities. Whether you are interested in early childhood preK-4 or combining that degree with special education preK-8, Gannon University’s education program will provide you with great practical experiences.

Beyond the classroom, all education majors at Gannon have the opportunity to put theory into practice through five three-week practicums in a variety of local schools and educational settings. In addition, several practical experiences are embedded in coursework throughout the four-year program. The planned sequence of field experiences integrates academic and professional content with actual practice in classrooms. These diverse practicums take place in public, parochial and private schools in rural, suburban and urban settings across multiple grade levels. All practicum placements are arranged by the University and supervised by University staff that provide additional guidance and feedback to our pre-service teachers.

 

Education Curriculum Choices

  • Early Childhood, preK-4
  • Early Childhood, preK-4/Special Education
  • Middle Level, 4-8, Option One: You will select one area of concentration (30 credits) from English/language arts/reading, mathematics, science or social studies while taking selected courses in the other three content areas.
  • Middle Level, 4-8, Option Two: You will select two areas of concentration (21 credits each) from the following combinations: English/language arts/reading and math; English/language arts/reading and science; math and science; social studies and math; social studies and science while taking selected courses in the other two areas.
  • Middle Level/Special Education
  • K-12 Education in the content area of Spanish
  • Secondary Education, 7-12 in the content areas of biology, English, mathematics or social studies.
  • Workshops and resources are available for preparation for Praxis I and II exams.


    About the Program

  • • Many professional development programs for education majors are planned by the members of our three professional organizations: Kappa Delta Pi Professional Education Society, Gannon University’s Society for Exceptional Children (GUSEC) and Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA).

    • Members of the University’s professional organizations have an opportunity to attend state and national conferences with their peers and advisors.

    • Gannon’s School of Education was one of 20 United States colleges/universities selected to receive the Teachers for the 21st Century Grant, funded by Microsoft and the Council for Independent Colleges (CIC). As a result of this grant, four faculty members are conducting research on the educational and institutional benefits of electronic portfolios. Education students are participating in the grant through learning about and producing electronic portfolios.

    • Gannon’s School of Education was one of four Pennsylvania universities selected to establish a Center for Teaching Excellence in order to promote and support National Board for Teaching Standards Certification. National Board certification is considered the gold standard in certification and is recognized across the country.


    The Gannon Advantage

    • Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
    • Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
    • On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
    • An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
    • Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
    • Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.
     
    Departmental Web Pages
    Curriculum and Course Descriptions
    Associate's Degree Curriculum
    Major Facts

      • Additional learning experiences are provided through professional development opportunities made possible by community partnerships with 12 public school districts, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie’s parochial schools, private schools, child care centers, charter schools and the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute.

      • Math, science, special education and Spanish majors may qualify for $16,000 in TEACH grant funds.

      • Our student teaching program is a full 14 weeks, providing our teacher candidates with more experiential learning time than is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

      • The Pennsylvania Department of Education has reciprocal agreements for teacher certification with 45 states. Recent Gannon graduates are currently employed in schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Florida, North Dakota, Nevada, Kansas, Hawaii and Washington.

      SCHOLARSHIPS – A $6,000 Teaching Scholars Award, awarded over a four year period, is available to qualified education majors. Also, the Future Educators Award annual scholarship contest provides three scholarship awards each year in the amount of: $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.

      PLACEMENT – Seventy-one percent of our 2007-08 graduates are employed in their major, while four percent are employed in related fields and the remaining 25 percent are continuing their education.

      SALARY – Starting salary in Pennsylvania is $34,976 while the average salary is $53,281. Salaries across the nation vary by district; Connecticut currently has the highest average teacher salary and South Dakota has the lowest.

     
     
     

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