Why Penn State
Why Join the College of Education
Penn State’s College of Education works to prepare the best possible candidates for the education profession. This commitment to be among the best has paid great dividends—for the college, our students, and the people served by our graduates.
The College of Education
- 23 teacher preparation areas leading to state certification at elementary and secondary levels
- Additional programs in Rehabilitation & Human Services, Workforce Education, and Education & Public Policy.
- Award-winning Professional Development School teacher preparation program (four major national awards)
- 2,532 undergraduate students at 20 campuses, including University Park
- 550 student teachers placed in schools each year throughout Pennsylvania and beyond
- Award-winning post-graduate programs to assist with induction into the world of practice
- 98% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation
- Starting salaries for teachers as high as $52,000 in Pennsylvania
Student Scholarships
- More than $1.58 million in College and University scholarships awarded annually to undergraduate students
Renowned Faculty
- Faculty members serve as members of numerous private and government panels, governing boards for state and national organizations, and editorial boards for major journals — one of many criteria for national rankings.
- 16 Fulbright Fellowships in the last six years
- 8 Spencer Fellowships
- Editorial responsibilities for more than 30 major journals in education
National Accreditations
- Fully accredited by all pertinent agencies, including NCATE, APA, NASP, CORE, and CACREP
- All of the college’s professional education certification programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Unique Opportunities
Professional Development Schools
This teacher preparation partnership with the State College Area School District has won four major national awards—most recently the 2011 Spirit of Partnership Award, given by the University of South Carolina’s PDS National Conference Planning Team.
EPP Field Placement and Professional Experience
The Education & Public Policy Field Placement and Professional Experience program focuses on the development of a personal understanding of educational policy in a wide range of governmental, private, and civic organizations engaged in public policy broadly defined. It also synthesizes readings and research in areas such as diversity, multiculturalism, social justice, and educational equity in rural, suburban, and urban settings.
Rehabilitation and Human Services (RHS) Internship
The major focus of the RHS internship is on learning professional skills, abilities, and activities practiced in rehabilitation and human services settings where the focus is on helping clients develop psychosocial, physical, recreational, vocational/career, social, and/or independent living training and variations in agency/facility functions and services permit.
Urban Education Seminar
The Urban Education Seminar is a two-week summer semester seminar that provides students with a unique immersion experience in an urban public school experience in Philadelphia. Watch a Video About this Program
Rural School Seminar
The Rural School Seminar affords Education majors a chance to gain an immersion experience in a rural setting.
Student Teaching Abroad
Penn State offers students the opportunity to participate in a short term student teaching abroad experience. After 10-weeks teaching in Pennsyvlania, students can travel to one of a large number of countries to complete their student teaching in a classroom abroad. Students have taught in England, Ireland, Australia, India, Turkey, and more. Watch a Video About this Program
Sheppard School in Philadelphia
Students can also choose to complete their student teaching at the Issac Sheppard School in Philadelphia. Penn State has partnered with this urban school to provide a unique experience for student teachers seeking a urban school experience. Watch a Video About this Program
