Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin

Earth and Environmental Science Major, B.A.


Recommended Course Sequence for a B.A. Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a Minor in Secondary Education Leading to Certification in Earth & Space Science in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The B.A. degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences is for students interested in Secondary Education. Interested students should make an appointment with the chairperson of the Department of Education early in their program of study to plan their professional studies. These students will declare a minor in Secondary Education. All Teacher Education students must apply for Admission to the Teacher Education Program in their sophomore or junior year. Candidates must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their secondary major courses, a cumulative 3.0 GPA to remain in the Teacher Education Program, and pass the appropriate PRAXIS tests in order to be certified

Recommended Course Sequence


Total Credits: 17


Total Credits: 17


Total Credits: 17


Total Credits: 16


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 16


Seventh Semester


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 17


Total Credits: 130


The above course sequence is designed to be completed in four years. There are additional options that can be added to the above: (1) the addition of coursework that would lead to certification in General Science as well as in Earth & Space Science and, (2) upgrading the minor in Secondary Education to a double major (both B.A. degrees) in Secondary Education. Note that the B.A. degree in Secondary Education cannot stand alone; it must be paired with another major. It should also be understood that adding these options to the basic program will require additional courses which may require more than four years to complete. A summary of the options is as follows:

(Basic Program) Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences

Minor in Secondary Education
Secondary Teaching Certification in Earth & Space Sciences

Total credits required: 130 credits

(Option 1) Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences

Minor in Secondary Education
Secondary Teaching Certification in Earth & Space Sciences
Secondary Teaching Certification in General Science

Total credits required: 141 credits

add: BIO 121  (4 credits) + BIO 122  or BIO 225  (4 credits) +CHM 114 /CHM 116  (4 credits)

(Option 2) Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences

Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education (double major)
Secondary Teaching Certification in Earth & Space Sciences

Total credits required: 136 credits

add: ED 345  (3 credits) + ED 375  (4 credits)

In addition to the course requirements, there are non-course requirements:

  • All Teacher Education candidates must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program in sophomore or junior year.
  • In order to be admitted into the Teacher Education Program, candidates must:
    • Attain a 3.0 GPA
    • Complete 48 credits including six credits in both Mathematics and English
    • Pass a test of basic skills
    • Submit required clearances showing ‘no record’
  • To remain in the Teacher Education Program, candidates must:
    • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
    • Adhere to the Code of Professionalism and Academic Honesty
  • To be certified as a teacher in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in grades 7 - 12, candidates must:
    • Successfully complete all required Education courses including student teaching
    • Graduate with a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA
    • Pass the appropriate exit test(s) in their content area
    • Apply for certification through the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)

Students interested in becoming secondary teachers in these programs should make an appointment with the chairperson of the Wilkes Education Department or the Coordinator of the Secondary Education Program as early as possible in their course of study to plan their professional studies. These students will declare a major in Earth & Environmental Sciences and a minor or major in Secondary Education. Students will be advised both by a faculty member in the Earth& Environmental Sciences Program and by the Coordinator of the Secondary Education Program. The advisors will ensure that the student is aware of course prerequisites which is especially important for some of the education courses which require completed clearances which can take months to acquire. Students should also refer to the Education Department section of this bulletin for complete details of the education curriculum.