Earth and Environmental Science—Geoscience-Earth Science/Secondary Education (Teacher Certification), B.A.

This major offers a broad perspective on the different sub-disciplines that comprise the Earth Sciences (Physical Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy and Environmental Science). This track is ideal for K-12 teachers that are enrolled in the dual co-major with Early Childhood, Elementary or Secondary Education. 

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THIS CONCENTRATION ARE:

  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0.
  • A minimum of B- or better on all education courses
  • Passing scores on the Praxis CORE, or 560 verbal, 540 Math on the SAT, or 23 or higher on the ACT, or 155 verbal, 156 quantitative on the GRE.

Passing scores on the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators Tests, as of 9/1/19:

  • Math Test #5733         Passing Score 150
  • Reading Test #5712    Passing Score 156
  • Writing Test #5722     Passing Score 162

Students who meet the score levels below are not required to take the Praxis CORE:

SAT Scores

  • If taken before 4/1/1995: Math 520, Reading 480
  • If taken between 4/1/1995 to 2/28/2016: Math 540, Reading 560
  • If taken on or after 3/1/2016: Math 570, 610 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or 30 Reading Section

ACT Scores

  • If taken before 8/28/1989: Math 23, English 20
  • If taken on or after 8/28/1989: Math 23, English 23

GRE Scores

  • If taken before 8/1/2011: Quantitative 720, Verbal 530
  • If taken on or after 8/1/2011: Quantitative 156, Verbal 155

For more information on Praxis exams:  https://www.ets.org/praxis/nj/requirements

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THIS DEGREE TRACK ARE:

  • Completion of NJCU General Education requirements or equivalent
  • Successful completion of major in intended content area
  • Passing scores on appropriate Praxis II Exam
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Successful completion of clinical experience and clinical practice (student teaching)

This includes successful submission of the performance assessment, edTPA, as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Note: For the most updated information on this teaching certification program, students are directed to contact the College of Education as changes may have occurred since publication.

Required
EESC 238Wonders of Weather: The Atmosphere3
EESC 223The Blue Planet: The Oceans3
EESC 135Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes3
EESC 201Environmental Science for All: Introduction to Environmental Systems and Processes3
EESC 227Hands on Earth: Earth Lab3
EESC 250Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources3
EESC 334Stratigraphy4
CHEM 100Preparation for General Chemistry3
MATH 175Enhanced Precalculus4
PHYS 101Basic Concepts of Physics3
PHYS 113Introduction to Astronomy3
Required General Education Courses
BIOL 225Human Sexual Biology3
or BIOL 224 The Human Body
or BIOL 106 Practical Nutrition
MATH 215Problem Solving in Mathematics 13
LTED 160Languages of Power and Social Justice 23
Select a minimum of 15 credits from Earth and Environmental Science courses numbered 200 or higher. At least 2 or more courses have to be at the 300+ level. 15
EESC 237Environmental Issues and Policy: Global and Urban Perspectives3
EESC 226Earth 360:Integrated Geography3
EESC 231Water Chronicles3
EESC 235Global Climate Change3
EESC 252GIS I: Contemporary Applications of GIS3
EESC 336Field Methods in Geoscience4
EESC 340Hydrology I3
EESC 348Environmental Geology3
EESC 350GIS II: Contemp Analysis w/GIS3
EESC 410Urban Soil Survey4
EESC 434Earth Surface Processes4
EESC 446Introduction to Geochemistry3
EESC 447Introduction to Geophysics4
EESC 455GIS III: Modeling with GIS3
Required Education Courses, to be taken by phase and in sequence, for traditonal certification: Phase 1 must be completed prior to admission to the Secondary Education program. Students may take Phase 1 prior to passing the Praxis CORE.
Phase I (May be taken separately and in any order).
EDU 280Challenges in Urban Education3
LTED 230Focus: Reading Language & Literacy3
Phase II Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of Phase 1, passing score on the Praxis CORE (unless exempt).
EDU 330Focus: Development, Behavior and Learning3
EDU 371Grades 7-12 Methods/Materials3
Phase III (Taken concurrently and offered fall semesters only).
LTED 370Secondary:Reading & Language Workshop2
EDU 3372Methods and Materials of Teaching Science in Middle and Secondary Schools3
EDU 331Clinical Practice I2
Phase IV Courses must be taken concurrently. Students must pass the appropriate Content Knowledge Praxis exam(s) before beginning Phase IV. Check with your advisor regarding which exam(s) you should take.
EDU 470Concurrent Student Teaching Seminar2
EDU 480Clinical Practice II8
EDU 485Classroom Management and Assessment Internship Seminar2
1

Required of students who have yet to meet Paxis Core Math requirement.

2

Strongly recommended for students who have yet to meet Praxis Core Writing and Reading requirement.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 101
English Composition I
or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students
4
INTD 101 Orientation to College *First time freshman only 1
MATH 175 Enhanced Precalculus 4
BIOL 225
Human Sexual Biology
or The Human Body
or Practical Nutrition
3
General Education Tier I Course 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
ENGL 102
English Composition II
or English Composition 2 ESL
4
EESC 135 Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes 3
EESC 201 Environmental Science for All: Introduction to Environmental Systems and Processes 3
MATH 215 Problem Solving in Mathematics 3
General Education Tier I Course 3
 Credits16
Sophomore
Semester 1
PHYS 101 Basic Concepts of Physics 3
CHEM 100 Preparation for General Chemistry 3
EESC 227 Hands on Earth: Earth Lab 3
EDU 280 Challenges in Urban Education 3
LTED 230 Focus: Reading Language & Literacy 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
EESC 238 Wonders of Weather: The Atmosphere 3
EESC 223 The Blue Planet: The Oceans 3
EESC 250 Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources 3
EESC 334 Stratigraphy 4
EESC Major Elective 3-4
 Credits16-17
Junior
Semester 1
PHYS 113 Introduction to Astronomy 3
EDU 330 Focus: Development, Behavior and Learning 3
EDU 371 Grades 7-12 Methods/Materials 3
EESC Major Elective 3-4
EESC Major Elective 3-4
 Credits15-17
Semester 2
EESC Major Elective 3-4
EESC Major Elective 3-4
General Education Tier II Course 3
General Education Tier II Course 3
General Education Tier II Course
 Credits12-14
Senior
Semester 1
LTED 370 Secondary:Reading & Language Workshop 2
EDU 3372 Methods and Materials of Teaching Science in Middle and Secondary Schools 3
EDU 331 Clinical Practice I 2
EESC Major Elective 3-4
General Education Tier II Course 3
General Education Tier III Capstone 3
 Credits16-17
Semester 2
EDU 470 Concurrent Student Teaching Seminar 2
EDU 480 Clinical Practice II 8
EDU 485 Classroom Management and Assessment Internship Seminar 2
 Credits12
 Total Credits117-123