1. About Academics
  2. Education Major
  3. Education Opportunities

Education Opportunities

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

Awards/Scholarships

Career/Internship Information

Pitt-Greensburg Career Services >>

By taking one additional course, you can earn a Gifted Endorsement as part of your Early Childhood or Secondary Education  major. As part of our Secondary Education program, you can earn a dual major in both a content area AND secondary education. As part of our Early Childhood programCX , you can choose to add on a Children’s Literature or STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) endorsement, or a minor in psychology.

Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to the work with children completed through your classes, there are many opportunities for you to volunteer and gain additional experience with children (K-12). These opportunities include semester- or year-long programs like Lunch Buddies (open to all education majors), Pitt Pals (early childhood majors), First Base (early childhood majors) and Jeannette JAYS (secondary majors).

One time activities working with children are also available. You can assist at our Halloween Carnival, the Head Start Lunch with Santa, the College Day with exceptional students, our WQED/Read Across America day.

Explore the successful internship experiences completed by the following Education students - and learn more about finding an internship!

Clubs/Honor Societies/Organizations

Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA) — This organization provides you with professional development workshops, social activities, and opportunities to work with children K-12 both inside and outside of the school setting. We have been recognized both within Pennsylvania and the United States as an exceptionally strong and committed SPSEA chapter.

Pi Lambda Theta Education Honors Society, the most selective national honor society of Educators. Membership is limited to students who satisfy academic eligibility requirements.

Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC), a statewide organization focused on the education of the youngest children.

Pitt-Greensburg partners with local schools to provide special programs. These programs not only promote teacher proficiency in our students, but also provide preK-12 students with the additional assistance and educational opportunities that allow them to grow and thrive. These include (but are not limited to):

  • JAYS – An afterschool mentoring and tutoring program for middle school children at the Jeannette McKee K-8 school.
  • Read for LIFElong Learning – An afterschool reading enrichment program for students in grades 2-5 in Greensburg Salem Elementary Schools.
  • Pitt PALS – A program in which college students assist K-1 learners with day-to-day tasks during the school day.
  • Lunch Buddies – A lunchtime program aimed at mentoring and supporting elementary students who need additional adults in their lives.  Sponsored in conjunction with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Westmoreland County.

Graduate Studies

As you gain experience with students, you may desire additional education in specific areas of study, like Special Education. Through an agreement with Seton Hill University, you can begin your Master’s Degree in Special Education while an undergraduate at Pitt-Greensburg.

Graduate School Guarantee — University of Pittsburgh School of Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) or the Master of Teaching (MAT) Programs
More information on Pitt-Greensburg Graduate School Guarantees >>

Required Criteria:

  • Indicate Pre-Education on admissions application.
  • Earn a 3.5 grade point average in high school and a minimum 1250 SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math) or 28 ACT.
  • Maintain a 3.25 grade point average as a full-time undergraduate student at a regional campus (individual instances where a student's grade point average falls below 3.25 will be reviewed by the Dean of the School of Education).
  • Attend a School of Education Information Session.
  • Declare the specific teacher education program by the end of junior year.
  • Complete all prerequisite courses for the teacher education specialty area.
  • Candidates in foreign language must also attain a rating of at least Advanced Low on the OPI examination administered by ACTFL.
  • Show evidence of substantial experience working or volunteering with children or adolescents as a teacher, tutor, camp counselor, etc.
  • More information about the Graduate School of Education >>

Study Abroad

Pitt-Greensburg Study Abroad opportunities >>

Research Efforts/Opportunities

If you are interested in doing research and/or presenting at an educator's conference, there are opportunities! Since fall of 2014, education majors have published research articles and have presented with education professors in Boston at a National Council for Social Studies, in Pittsburgh at a PAEYC conference, in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Association for College Teachers of Education (PAC-Te). Additionally, research studies include comparing schools in New Zealand and those in Pennsylvania and understanding the economic knowledge of second graders.