Study Skills Modules

Penn State has several web learning modules relating to different kinds of study skills.

Summer 2007 Edthp Course Offerings

Due to scheduling conflicts, it has been difficult for some students to schedule EDTHP courses, so the following courses will be offered at UP in SU'07:

Early Short Summer Session (05/21/2007 - 06/05/2007)
EDTHP 440 -- Philosophy of Education, Dr. Madhu Prakash
MT RF from 9:35 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in 365 Willard Building

First Summer Session (05/21/2007-06/29/2007)
EDTHP 401 -- Comparative Education, Dr. Gerald LeTendre
MTWRF from 12:45 - 2:00 p.m. in 115 Music Building

EDTHP 416 -- Sociology of Education, Jacob Hibel
MTWRF from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. in 120 Thomas Building

Second Summer Session (07/03/2007-08/15/2007)
EDTHP 115 -- Education in American Society, Dr. Gerald LeTendre
MTWRF from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. in 105 Rackley Building

EDTHP 420-- Education and Public Policy, Dr. Dana Mitra
M R from 7:05 - 9:35 p.m. in 208 Chambers

It is possible to register for these courses by using eLion, but please call 865-1488 if you have any specific questions regarding these course offerings in SU'07.

Clearances for Education Field Experiences - FBI Fingerprint

In addition to the previously required clearances such as Act 34 & Act 151 (see http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=13&Q=32413),
Penn State students must obtain the new FBI clearance prior to all early field experiences and student teaching.

Since the fingerprinting locations closest to University Park currently used for the FBI clearances are at the Central Intermediate Unit in West Decatur and Pleasant Gap, I've been trying to establish a site on campus.

In checking with public school administrators, we've learned that effective FA'07, the FBI clearances will be required for early field experiences, as well as student teaching and other internships.

Questions regarding this new requirement should be directed to Denise Wolfgang at PDE: (717) 783-3750 or dwolfgang@state.pa.us

Information on the process, policy, and fingerprinting locations is available at: www.pa.cogentid.com

Summer SPLED Minor Coursework

As you may know, the Penn State Special Education program is offering summer course-work in special education for those students interested in completing a minor in special education. Detailed information on the summer course-work is available at http://espse.ed.psu.edu/sped/156

Because of scheduling challenges, students who wish to complete their EL ED course-work in 2 years, will probably need to schedule some summer coursework in order to complete the SPLED minor. For more information on the SPLED minor see http://espse.ed.psu.edu/sped/142

Verification of Completion Letter - Spring 2007

As we approach the end of another semester, many students have been contacting our office to ask if it would be possible to obtain their teacher certification prior to graduation and/or if it would be possible to receive a letter verifying that they have "completed" all of the teacher certification requirements.

The staff in our Advising Center and our colleagues in Career Services are committed to offering students the best possible service to assist them in pursuing full time employment, and we definitely want to accommodate their requests for such letters.

However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will not accept applications with our recommendation for certification until students have officially graduated. As you know, we've been able to make arrangements with PDE to send the applications directly to Harrisburg via overnight express mail as soon as we receive the official grades and PDE 430 forms in our office (228 Chambers), so we've been able to expedite the process in recent years.

At our Education Career Day next week, I'll check again with more than 130 school employers in Pennsylvania and many states throughout the country, but we continue to be told by them that general "To Whom It May Concern" letters from us will not be acceptable if we can verify only that candidates "expect" to graduate pending successful completion of student teaching, and occasionally other remaining course requirements, PRAXIS tests, etc. In fact, PA-REAP and PA-Educator.net, which are two very well-known on-line teacher placement services for Pennsylvania and many other states, have been accepting transcripts and/or computerized degree audits with cover letters directly from students confirming their own tentative certification status, because employers realize that institutional letters cannot carry any guarantees of successfully completing programs.

We certainly want to accommodate students who have been asked by a specific employer for a letter verifying that they have "completed" all of the teacher certification requirements. When students ask specific employers to contact us, and the student has provided Tammy Thal (txt1@psu.edu) with a written release (email from a PSU account would be acceptable), we will immediately FAX and/or mail a personal letter directly to the prospective employer. This has been working very well during the past few years, so please ask students to contact Tammy with their release, and ask their prospective employer(s) to contact her directly regarding their pending status.

Spring 2007 Career Fair WebSite

Earlier we had given the dates for upcoming education career fairs at Penn State. We now have available the website for the spring 2007 fair.

SUMMER 2007 LLED (SECED/English) Block

We will offer the first 9 credit block of LLED 411, LLED 420, and LLED 480 this summer from May 21 to June 16, from 8:00 AM to 2:55 PM, Monday-Thursday with computer lab work sessions on Fridays. For many students, this intensive block provides an opportunity to complete the first block in time to take the second 412 block in the 07 Fall semester and student teaching in Spring 08. However, students who hope to follow this schedule should apply for a spot in student teaching for the Spring 08 semester by going to 170 Chambers and filing a late application for Spring 08. Taking the block in the summer also provides more scheduling space for English and Media courses in the regular Fall or Spring semesters when most of those courses are offered.

If you have any questions about the summer block, please email Jamie Myers at: jmm12@psu.edu

College of Education Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2007 - 2008

Attention all undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in the College of Education at the University Park campus for 2007 - 2008. We are now accepting completed scholarship applications for the upcoming year. The application form is available at: http://www.ed.psu.edu/images/Application_final.pdf. Any student wishing to be considered for scholarship support must complete and submit this brief application form. Even if you applied last year (2006-07) you must apply again for 2007-08.

The submission deadline is no later than February 15, 2007, and we cannot guarantee consideration of applications filed after the deadline.



NOTE: You do not need to submit proof of the completed 2007 - 2008 FAFSA. We receive this information electronically from Student Aid.

Applications should be submitted to:

Jenn Moore
247 Chambers Bldg.

University Park, PA 16802


Extensive links to additional scholarship resources and aid programs are available through Penn State's Office of Student Aid at http://www.psu.edu/studentaid, and the University Fellowships Office at http://www.ufo.psu.edu.