Welcome to the Education Department!

Chair's Welcome

Welcome to the Education Department at Mount Aloysius College! We are so glad that you are here! We offer a variety of teacher education programs including an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with PA Teacher Certification in PreK-4 Early Level Education, 4-8 Middle Level English, 4-8 Middle Level History, 4-8 Middle Level Science and Secondary Certifications in 7-12 English, 7-12 Biology, and 7-12 Social Studies. Our newest program offerings include post-baccalaureate certifications in 7-12 English, 7-12 Biology and 7-12 Social Studies as well as PK-12 Special Education certification, Dual PK-4 Early Level and PK-12 Special Education certification, and a minor in special education. Our students can additionally choose from a variety of additional minors including American Sign Language, Sociology, Psychology, Expressive Arts Therapy, Business Administration, and Women and Gender Studies. Our program is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

Hallmarks of our department include early experiences (fall semester, freshman year) in a variety of school settings. During their time in the program, students are exposed to school observations and student teaching experiences in a variety of urban, rural, suburban, private, public and virtual settings. These also include experiences at our two campus lab schools: the MAC Learning Center Pre-K Counts (Cambria County Child Development Corporation) and the Early Head Start/Head Start Center (Community Action Partnership of Cambria County). In addition to completing observations and service-learning at these two centers, students may also choose those destinations for Federal Work Study hours. Students are additionally exposed to small, interactive classes, high-quality 1:1 advising with full-time department faculty, guest speakers, and a technology-rich curriculum. Our program provides students with opportunities to utilize interactive whiteboards in the college classroom as well as gaining experience with digital portfolio development and classroom website development. All students in the Education Department are required to complete the Fundamental Training and Exam for Google for Education Certified Educator Level 1 Certification as well as certifications in artificial intelligence (Magic School) and graphic design software (Canva). 

Students in the Education Department are additionally engaged in a variety of other high-impact practices consisting of: student leadership opportunities (Student PSEA, Kappa Delta Pi: Honor Society in Education and MAC Student Government) service-learning and student research opportunities, career development support, attendance at the Pittsburgh Education Recruitment Consortium Job Fair and attendance at our biennial Professionals in Education Panel. Seniors have the additional opportunity to participate in Mock Interviews with our Advisory Board members. They also create Digital Portfolios to showcase their accomplishments during their time in the program. 

Faculty in the Education Department enjoy supporting students outside of the classroom too. We take students to local, state and regional professional conferences, chaperone freshmen trips, attend athletic games, Vox Nova concerts, campus plays and musicals, art exhibits, and honors induction ceremonies. We additionally support and attend annual campus events with our students including the Career and Service-Learning Showcase and the Student Research Symposium. At these events, students showcase their research and service with local organizations and schools. 

​The Education Department at Mount Aloysius College is a welcoming and inclusive space where “all are welcome”, where students are thriving, and where it is safe to say: “if you are here, you belong.” We hope that you get a sense of our “culture of belonging” by viewing our slide deck and social media links. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. 

Welcome home!

Dr. Sara Rutledge

Professor and Chairperson, Education Department

208 Academic Hall

Mount Aloysius College

srutledge@mtaloy.edu

814-886-6376