Academic Programs

GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Recent studies of the American workforce have verified that average Americans make significant career changes five or more times during their working years. This indicates that not only is the undergraduate major, often a first step in a designated career, quite important but also that students' foundation—or general education—is a crucial component in preparing them for lifelong learning. Career changes, and the very nature of the rapidly changing world, will require that UPJ graduates return to their basic skills, competencies, and knowledge areas to "retool" and adjust to the changing circumstances of their lives.

The General Education Program at UPJ has been designed to prepare students to be creative, critical, and independent thinkers, capable of effective problem solving and informed decision making. Their education is characterized by both breadth of knowledge in diverse fields and depth of knowledge in focused areas of study, as well as the development of fundamental competencies necessary for personal and professional growth. UPJ strives to produce graduates who appreciate learning, who inquire about and carefully evaluate the perspectives of others, and who are capable of responsible citizenship and the pursuit of intellectually satisfying, well-balanced lives.

All students must complete two main categories of the General Education Program requirements:

1. competency areas
2. knowledge areas

The competency areas provide students with the tools necessary to make sense of the larger world. It is assumed that there are certain skills that all college students should possess before they can truly consider themselves educated. Through a set of courses focusing on writing, speaking, and quantitative reasoning, students are given these basic skills. As vital as these skills are while in college, they are also lifelong skills that will ensure continued success long after graduation.

Students will be asked to apply the skills developed through the competency areas to their college courses. These will include the specific requirements for their academic major and also will include courses in various knowledge areas. The knowledge areas fall into three categories: humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Through these knowledge areas, students are exposed to academic disciplines outside their area of expertise.

A third category of free electives can be included in the general education portion of each student's college education. Free electives are classes that students choose to take because they are of particular interest to the individual; they serve to add breadth to the student’s education with appealing study topics. Most programs require electives for graduation because they provide a unique opportunity to explore new and different subjects.

Together, these three areas—competency areas, knowledge areas, and free electives—provide UPJ students with a quality education that goes well beyond simple expertise in a specific major.

The information included in this bulletin is correct and up to date as of the time of printing. However, all programs and courses are subject to change. For a current list of courses that satisfy such general education requirements as primary writing and speaking courses, speaking-enhanced courses, writing-enhanced courses, quantitative reasoning courses, or knowledge area courses, please consult the Academic Source Book, which is distributed to freshmen each year, or the general advising sheets, which are updated each semester.

All official information concerning degree requirements comes from the Office of the Registrar and the specific division office for each major.

The descriptions below and on the following pages are generic in nature. Individual majors may prescribe which courses the student will take for both the competency as well as the knowledge areas. Courses taken in both competency areas and knowledge areas may also be counted as fulfilling curriculum requirements for specific majors. Refer to the individual degree sheets in the Academic Source Book distributed to freshmen each year to determine how each major has chosen to fulfill these sections.

General Education Program Requirements: Competency Areas

1. Writing Competency

   Writing courses provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for clear and effective communication in a variety of circumstances and written forms. Sound communication skills form the basis of success in nearly every profession.

   1. A satisfactory level of competence must be demonstrated by the successful completion of ENGCMP 0005 Composition 1 or ENGCMP 0002 Freshman Writing Seminar, and ENGCMP 0006 Composition 2 (or ENGCMP 0003 and 0004 Communication 1 and 2 for engineering technology students).

   2. Continued development of writing skills will be achieved through ONE of the following options depending upon requirements determined by individual departments/divisions:
      • Option A. Satisfactory completion of one additional primary writing course* required by the major discipline.

      • Option B. Satisfactory completion of two writing-enhanced** courses (noted in bulletin as W courses). The major discipline will designate whether the required W class must be in the major or in general education/elective courses, or a mixture of both.

        * Primary writing courses are those whose main focus is on the development of skills and knowledge necessary for clear and effective written communication. These include standard English writing courses such as ENGWRT 1192 Technical Writing, ENGWRT 0050 Introduction to Creative Writing, ENGWRT 0053 Introduction to Professional Writing, etc. They may also include courses in disciplines other than English that have as their main focal point writing appropriate to an individual field of study, for example, GEOL 1108 Report Writing and Computer Applications in Geology.

        ** Writing-enhanced courses (noted with a W) focus mainly on content related to a specific discipline and therefore are firmly grounded in a particular department. These are discipline courses that use writing tasks to help students learn course content as well as to refine writing skills further. W courses simultaneously fulfill other degree requirements in the major, minor, knowledge areas, or free electives.

        NOTE: Primary writing courses taken to fulfill the writing section of the competency areas CANNOT be counted a second time as fulfillment of section 3 of the humanities knowledge area, but they DO count simultaneously as fulfillment of academic major requirements or knowledge area requirements.

2. Speaking Competency

   Speaking courses provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to express themselves orally through clarity of expression, solid content, clear organization, appropriateness of style, and effective persuasion.

   A satisfactory level of competence must be demonstrated through ONE of the following options:

   • Option A. Successful completion of three speaking-enhanced*** courses either restricted to or distributed among a major discipline, or general courses as specified by the student’s major.
   • Option B. Successful completion of an oral communication course (such as COMMRC 0052 Public Speaking) or a public performance course (such as THEA 0053 Oral Interpretation of Literature), plus one speaking-enhanced*** course (noted with an S). The major discipline will designate whether the required S courses must be taken in the major or in general education/elective courses, or a mixture of both.

   *** Speaking-enhanced courses (noted with an S) focus mainly on content related to a specific discipline and therefore are firmly grounded in a particular department. These are discipline courses that use speaking tasks to help students learn course content as well as refine speaking skills further. S courses simultaneously fulfill other degree requirements in the major, minor, knowledge areas, or free electives.

   NOTE: Primary speaking courses taken to fulfill the speaking section of the competency areas CANNOT be counted a second time as fulfillment of the humanities knowledge area (section 3). Speaking-enhanced courses DO count simultaneously as fulfillment of academic major requirements or knowledge area requirements. S and W offerings should be checked during registration periods.

3. Quantitative Reasoning Competency

   Quantitative reasoning is the ability to think rationally, employing numbers and/or symbols. Courses listed under this competency provide students with insight into the process of logical reasoning and encourage them to manage and interpret data for real-world problem solving.

   Students may satisfy this requirement based on their math placement test score, by taking appropriate college-level credits in math prior to enrolling, or through taking one of the appropriate quantitative reasoning courses.

   Based on the results of the math placement exam taken by entering freshmen during the summer before their fall semester, students will be placed in one of the following competency categories:

   1. Precollege entrance—students placed at this level need to strengthen their basic mathematics skills in order to achieve "college-ready" status.

      Before they can schedule a quantitative reasoning course that will fulfill this general education requirement, students must pass MATH 0001 Algebra I with a satisfactory grade.

   2. College entrance—students placed at this level must pass at least one quantitative reasoning course. The student's major discipline may require a specific course or a choice of certain designated courses to fulfill this requirement. Courses meeting the requirements of quantitative reasoning are listed with the degree sheets in the Academic Source Book.

   3. Advanced—students placed at this level are considered to have achieved basic collegiate mathematics competency and therefore are not required to take traditional course work to complete the quantitative reasoning requirement. However, the student's chosen major or minor may require other mathematics, statistics, or quantitative reasoning courses.

      NOTE: Quantitative reasoning courses taken to fulfill the quantitative reasoning section of the competency areas CANNOT be counted a second time as fulfillment of the natural sciences knowledge area (section 2), but they DO count simultaneously as fulfillment of requirements in the academic major.

General Education Program Requirements: Knowledge Areas

Knowledge Areas for Students Majoring in Arts and Sciences Disciplines

(Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences)

A.  NATURAL SCIENCES (for students not majoring in a natural sciences discipline)

The General Education Program requirement in the natural sciences seeks to strengthen and broaden a student's scientific academic background. In the spirit of a liberal arts education, students are introduced to the varied nature of science. Students will learn the importance of data analysis, hypothesis formulation, and empirical testing of hypotheses within the physical sciences, the life sciences, and the mathematical and computational sciences. They will gain insight into scientific reasoning, both inductive and deductive, and the principles of science. Discussion of current scientific issues will further students’ understanding of the impact of science on society and will enhance their problem-solving skills in many fields of endeavor.

Section 1

The physical sciences section of the natural sciences focuses on the scientific examination of physical, geological, and chemical theories and concepts. Hands-on laboratories provide greater experiences in these areas.

Geology

The earth provides the basic physical environment for life. Therefore, knowledge of geologic processes and hazards is a starting place in developing an understanding of the many complex environmental issues society faces today.

Chemistry

The chemistry department strives to give students a fundamental understanding of the physical and chemical changes that occur in nature and in the laboratory. Students are also introduced to the many applications of chemistry in the health sciences and technology.

Physics

The universe holds a variety of objects, from large groups of stars to electrons and subatomic particles. These objects affect each other by pushing and pulling on each other by means of gravitational, electrical, and magnetic forces, among others. Physics is a study of these interactions, which are the basis of how everything works.

Section 2

The mathematical and computational section focuses on the scientific and practical aspects of the fields of mathematics and computer science.

Computer Science

Computer science is a discipline that seeks to build a scientific foundation for such topics as computer design, computer programming, information processing, and algorithmic problem solving. It provides the structure for today’s computer applications as well as the foundations for tomorrow’s applications.

Mathematics

Mathematics is the universal language that incorporates problem solving with communicating logical arguments. At introductory levels, this is done through the continued study of elementary algebraic structures, basic mathematical functions, and infinite processes such as calculus. At more advanced levels, numerical and geometrical understanding is expanded through the development of proof, which is the establishment of mathematical truths using written and oral arguments.

Section 3

The life sciences section focuses on the scientific examination of biological and psychological theories and concepts. Hands-on laboratories provide greater experiences in these areas.

Biology

Biology is the study of all the qualities and forces that make a collection of organic compounds a living thing. This can be examined from a subcellular, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, or community level. It includes the past, what organisms were like previously; the present; and, to some extent, the future—what changes will take place as organisms continue to evolve.

Psychology

Psychology seeks to understand the nature of behavior in both humans and animals. Psychologists explore overt responses, cognitive processes, emotional reactions, and physiological responses in organisms in order to describe, predict, and explain behavior in laboratory and real-life situations.

Section 4

The fourth section of the natural sciences division’s knowledge areas allows students to choose another course from sections 1–3 to examine further one of the sections already explored.

Complete one 3–4 credit course in each of the following four sections:

Section 1

CHEM 0080 Chemistry, Man, and Society
CHEM 0085 Drugs and the Human Body
CHEM 0111 General Chemistry I
CHEM 0112 General Chemistry II
CHEM 0190 Chemistry for the Health Professions
GEOL 0011 Astronomy 1—The Solar System
GEOL 0012 Stellar Astronomy
GEOL 0015 Physical Geology*
GEOL 0024 Meteorology
GEOL 0061 Historical Geology
GEOL 0080 Explorations in Geology*
GEOL 0081 Explorations of Space
GEOL 0083 Introduction to Physical Oceanography
GEOL 0086 Environmental Geology
GEOL 0089 Prehistoric Life
PHYS 0090 Explorations in Physics
PHYS 0093 Science, Technology, & Society
PHYS 0100 Introduction to Physics 1
PHYS 0150 Physics 1
PHYS 0152 Physics 2
PHYS 0200 Introduction to Physics 2
*May be taken to satisfy Section 1 or Section 4, but NOT both.

Section 2

MATH 0002 College Algebra
MATH 0004 Precalculus: Functions & Trigonometry
MATH 0080 Fundamentals of Modern Math
MATH 0121 Business Calculus
MATH 0221 Analytical Geometry & Calculus 1
MATH 0231 Analytical Geometry & Calculus 2
MATH 0401 Discrete Mathematical Structures
MATH 0212 Introduction to Biostatistics
CS 0015 Introduction to Computer Programming
CS 0081 Computer Literacy
CS 0100 Perspectives in Computer Science
*Courses taken to fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement may not be counted a second time as fulfillment of Section 2.

Section 3

BIOL 0080 Life Sciences
BIOL 0083 Human Ecology
BIOL 0085 Human Health and Disease
BIOL 0110 General Biology 1
BIOL 0120 General Biology 2
PSY 0200 Introduction to Psychology

Section 4

Any other course in Sections 1, 2, or 3

B. SOCIAL SCIENCES (for students not majoring in a social sciences discipline)

The social sciences provide a unique set of conceptually interrelated perspectives designed to explain societal aspects of human behavior. Courses listed in the knowledge areas of the social sciences provide analytical approaches appropriate to understanding the causes, motivations, and consequences of human interaction. These approaches, commonly identified with the disciplines in the social sciences, allow students to become more aware of the context in which they live, more capable of forming independent and considered viewpoints and critical perspectives on societal issues, and better equipped to handle changing social dynamics and challenging social settings. For general education purposes, it is important that students be exposed to a range of social science approaches by completing basic introductory course work in at least three of the social science disciplines described below, as well as a fourth course, either an introductory course in a fourth discipline or a follow-up course in one of the three disciplines initially chosen.

Anthropology

Students study humanity from an evolutionary, comparative, and holistic perspective, focusing on the origins and biological development of humans as well as a rich variety of sociocultural, economic, political, kinship, familial, religious, and artistic systems and their adaptations in particular social and natural environments.

Economics

Students analyze how individuals interact in markets; how public policies affect the operations of markets; and how markets and policies affect economic growth, inflation, employment, and the distribution of income in societies.

Geography

Students examine the spatial characteristics of human (population, economic, political, urban) and physical (climatological, resources, natural hazard) processes and the interaction between humans and their physical environment.

History

Students study and analyze the economic, political, religious, cultural, and social factors that have influenced human behavior and thought through time.

Political Science

Students examine how institutions of political authority evolve and are used to resolve conflicts within and between societies and to direct societal resources to needs of common welfare.

Sociology

Students learn to study systematically how people interact, how they organize themselves into social groups, and how people and organizations change in society.

Choose three discipline sections from among those listed below and complete one course in each section plus one follow-up course in one of these disciplines (for a total of four courses) OR choose four discipline sections and complete one course in each.

Anthropology

ANTH 0800 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 1290 North American Indian Cultures
ANTH 1580 Religion and Culture
ANTH 1630 Anthropology of Women
ANTH 1720 Caribbean Cultures

Economics

ECON 0105 Introduction to Microeconomic Theory
ECON 0115 Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory

Geography

GEOG 0100 Economic Geography
GEOG 0210 Physical Geography
GEOG 0310 Geography of the United States
GEOG 0320 Geography of Africa
GEOG 0610 Urban Development
GEOG 0810 Earth and People

History

HIST 0120 Western Civilization 1
HIST 0130 Western Civilization 2
HIST 0424 Classical East Asia
HIST 0425 Modern East Asia
HIST 0610 United States to 1877
HIST 0620 United States 1877–Present

Political Science

PS 0206 American Political Process
PS 0302 Comparative Politics
PS 0310 Comparative Developing Systems
PS 0501 World Politics

Sociology

SOC 0070 Social Problems
SOC 0100 Introduction to Sociology

C. HUMANITIES (for students not majoring in a humanities discipline)

The courses listed under humanities seek to instill an understanding of the major ideas and accomplishments of humankind and a sense of the values of our own and other cultures and ages. They stress the need to communicate with clarity and conviction in both the written and spoken word; they encourage the development of analytical and creative thinking that contribute to the education of the whole student; and they foster an appreciation of the cultural diversity reflected in artistic and intellectual achievement throughout history.

Section 1

Courses focus on human thought and behavior in their philosophical, visual, musical, and theatrical representation.

Section 2

Courses emphasize the literary representation of humanity as expressed through its many forms and help students to value diverse cultural practices and perspectives.

Section 3

Courses stress the theory and practice of human expression as reflected in written and spoken language, in English and other languages, and in nonverbal artistic forms.

Section 4

Courses encourage the reinforcement and development of learning in any discipline from Sections 1–3 or in an interdisciplinary course.

Complete one 3–4 credit course in each of the following four sections:

Section 1

PHIL 0013 Concepts of Human Nature
PHIL 0083 Introduction to Philosophical Problems
PHIL 0209 History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 0213 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 0303 Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 0333 Political Philosophy
PHIL 0474 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 0841 Science and Religion
FA 0015 History of Western Art 1
FA 0016 History of Western Art 2
FA 0031 Introduction to Modern Art
COMMRC 0320 Mass Communication Process
MUSIC 0212 Introduction to Western Art Music
MUSIC 0223 History of Western Music to 1750
MUSIC 0225 History of Western Music since 1750
MUSIC 0235 History of the Symphony
MUSIC 0712 Jazz
THEA 0811 Introduction to Dramatic Art 1
THEA 0812 Introduction to Dramatic Art 2

Section 2

ENGLIT 0080 Narrative Literature
ENGLIT 0088 Introduction to Literature
ENGLIT 0311 The Dramatic Imagination
ENGLIT 0316 Reading Poetry
ENGLIT 0326 Short Story Context
ENGLIT 0361 Women and Literature
ENGLIT 0574 American Literary Traditions 1
ENGLIT 0575 American Literary Traditions 2
ENGLIT 0581 Introduction to Shakespeare
ENGLIT 0598 Bible as Literature
ENGLIT 1106 Middle English Literature
ENGLIT 1111 The Renaissance in England
ENGLIT 1116 Chaucer
ENGLIT 1120 Restoration & 18th Century Literature
ENGLIT 1130 17th Century English Literature
ENGLIT 1133 Elizabethan & Jacobean Drama
ENGLIT 1151 Romantic Poetry
ENGLIT 1155 18th Century Novel
ENGLIT 1171 The Romantic Period
ENGLIT 1182 Victorian Literature
ENGLIT 1242 20th Century Poetry
ENGLIT 1246 African American Literature
ENGLIT 1252 20th Century American Literature
ENGLIT 1253 Contemporary Poetry
ENGLIT 1260 American Poetry
ENGLIT 1301 19th Century Novel
ENGLIT 1312 The 19th Century American Novel
ENGLIT 1320 The 20th Century Novel
ENGLIT 1371 Makers of Modern Drama
ENGLIT 1381 World Literature in English
ENGLIT 1420 Major American Dramatists
Classical French, German, Italian, or Spanish literature in original or translation

Section 3

ENGWRT 0050 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGWRT 0053 Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGWRT 0500 Creative Nonfiction Writing
COMMRC 0030 Introduction to Communication
COMMRC 0052 Public Speaking
COMMRC 1138 Theories of Persuasion
MUSIC 0413 Theory and Ear Training 1
Any French, German, Spanish (elementary, intermediate, conversation, or composition)  language course

Primary writing or speaking courses taken to fulfill the writing or speaking competency may not be counted a second time as fulfillment of Section 3.

Section 4

Any other course listed in Sections 1, 2, or 3, any foreign language course, or an interdisciplinary course listed below:

COMMRC 0083 Intercultural Communication
ENGLIT 0085 Introduction to the Humanities
ENGLIT 1032 The Literature of the Absurd
ENGLIT 1830 Film as Literature
PHIL 1611 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
Any foreign language

Knowledge Areas for Students Majoring in the Division of Engineering Technology (ET)

General Education Requirements: Knowledge Areas

A. NATURAL SCIENCES

The following courses are required and total 31 credits. They more than compensate for the fulfillment of the general requirement under arts and sciences in Sections 1, 2, and 4.

Section 1

CHEM 0111 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 0113 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
PHYS 0150 Physics 1
PHYS 0151 Physics Laboratory 1
PHYS 0152 Physics 2
PHYS 0153 Physics Laboratory 2

Section 2

MATH 0221 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
MATH 0231 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
MATH 0241 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
MATH 1035 Differential Equations with Matrix Theory

Courses taken to fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement may not be counted a second time as fulfillment of Section 2.

Section 4

Fulfilled by extra work in Sections 1 or 2

B. SOCIAL SCIENCES

Division of Engineering Technology students are required to take ET 1103 Engineering Economics in Section 2 and will choose three other disciplines listed below and complete 3 credits in each.

Anthropology

ANTH 0800 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 1290 North American Indian Cultures
ANTH 1580 Religion and Culture
ANTH 1630 Anthropology of Women
ANTH 1720 Caribbean Cultures

Economics

ET 1103 Engineering Economics

Geography

GEOG 0100 Economic Geography
GEOG 0210 Physical Geography
GEOG 0310 Geography of the United States
GEOG 0320 Geography of Africa
GEOG 0610 Urban Development
GEOG 0810 Earth and People

History

HIST 0120 Western Civilization 1
HIST 0130 Western Civilization 2
HIST 0424 Classical East Asia
HIST 0425 Modern East Asia
HIST 0610 United States to 1877
HIST 0620 United States 1877–Present
HIST 1520 World War II
HIST 1620 The Vietnam War

Political Science

PS 0206 American Political Process
PS 0302 Comparative Politics
PS 0310 Comparative Developing Systems
PS 0501 World Politics

Sociology

SOC 0070 Social Problems
SOC 0100 Introduction to Sociology

NOTE: Engineering technology students wishing to minor in the natural sciences area are permitted to replace one 3-credit, nonrequired social sciences or humanities course with a natural sciences course required to complete the minor.

C. HUMANITIES

Engineering technology students are required to take ENGWRT 1192 Technical Writing in Section 3, and they may choose 3 credits in each of the remaining sections (Sections 1, 2, and 4).

Section 1

PHIL 0013 Concepts of Human Nature
PHIL 0083 Introduction to Philosophical Problems
PHIL 0209 History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 0213 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 0303 Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 0333 Political Philosophy
PHIL 0474 Philosophy of Religion
FA 0015 History of Western Art 1
FA 0016 History of Western Art 2
FA 0031 Introduction to Modern Art
FA 0304 Renaissance Art
FA 0521 American Painting 19th Century
FA 0621 Art of China
MUSIC 0212 Introduction to Western Art Music
MUSIC 0235 History of the Symphony
MUSIC 243 Major Composers 1
MUSIC 244 Major Composers 2
MUSIC 0712 Jazz
THEA 0028 Stage Lighting I
THEA 0811 Introduction to Dramatic Art 1
THEA 0812 Introduction to Dramatic Art 2

Section 2

ENGLIT (any course without a prerequisite)
ENGLIT 0080 Narrative Literature
ENGLIT 0085 Introduction to the Humanities
ENGLIT 0088 Introduction to Literature
ENGLIT 0311 The Dramatic Imagination
ENGLIT 0316 Reading Poetry
ENGLIT 0326 Short Story in Context
ENGLIT 0345 Literature and the Environment
ENGLIT 1246 African American Literature
ENGLIT 1830 Film as Literature
Foreign literature in original or translation

Section 3

ENGWRT 1192 Technical Writing

Section 4

Any course listed in Sections 1, 2, or 3, any foreign language, or a course listed below:

MUSIC 0062* Concert Choir (1 credit)
MUSIC 0069* Concert Band (1 credit)
ENGWRT 1130 Grammar Review
COMMRC 1138 Theories of Persuasion

* Must take 3 of these 1-credit courses.

NOTE: Engineering technology students wishing to minor in the natural sciences area are permitted to replace one 3-credits, nonrequired social sciences or humanities course with a natural sciences course required to complete the minor.

Knowledge Areas for Students Majoring in Education

The various programs in elementary and secondary education require different versions of the general education knowledge areas. Please refer to the descriptions under Programs in Education in this bulletin and to the education Red Book for specific details.

Programs in Allied Health

Director: Bruce J. Colbert

• Emergency Medical Services
• Health Related Professions
• Respiratory Care
• Surgical Technology

The programs in allied health are designed to prepare graduates for a rewarding profession within their chosen health field. Current programs include associate degrees in emergency medical services, respiratory care, and surgical technology. Additionally, a student may continue for approximately two more years to obtain a bachelor's degree in health related professions. For further information, contact the Office of Allied Health at 814-269-2960 or by writing to 227 Krebs Hall, Johnstown, PA 15904.

Faculty: Jeffrey Ankney, Bruce J. Colbert, Daniel Grove, Terri Price

Emergency Medical Services

Associate Degree

This 71-credit program (with 6 credits for Emergency Medical Services [EMS]) is designed so that individuals will receive a paramedic certificate in addition to an associate degree in emergency medical services.

The program allows individuals to learn the skills needed to recognize, assess, and manage a variety of medical emergencies. The degree not only provides field experience leading to a paramedic license but will provide courses to prepare the student for supervisory and administrative positions.

Individuals who currently possess one or both of the emergency medical certificates are required to complete courses needed to meet the associate degree requirements. The EMS certification must be completed six months prior to admission to the paramedic portion of the program. All students must maintain a 2.00 or higher QPA in specific courses to continue and graduate from this program. Degree recipients may continue at UPJ to obtain a bachelor's degree in health related professions.

Courses are team taught by UPJ faculty and hospital instructors within their area of expertise.

First Year—Fall Term (13 credits)

Chemistry 0190, 0192

English Composition 0005

Communication 0052

Respiratory Care 0020

First Year—Spring Term (16 credits)

Biology 0080, 0980, 0981

Mathematics 0001

Psychology 0200

Respiratory Care 1041

Second Year—Fall Term (17 credits)

Health Related Professions 1054

Emergency Medical Services 1010, 1020, 1030

Elective

Second Year—Spring Term (16 credits)

Emergency Medical Services 1040, 1050, 1060, 1070

Elective

Second Year—Summer Term (3 credits)

Emergency Medical Services 1040, 1050

Elective

Health Related Professions

Bachelor of Science Degree

This program allows graduates from associate degree (or equivalent) healthcare programs or accredited hospital-based programs for health professionals with acceptable academic credits to prepare for positions as educators or supervisors/administrators within the healthcare field. Candidates for this program must have graduated with a minimum QPA of 2.25 (based on a 4.00 scale) from their professional program. In order to complete the requirements for the degree, the following criteria must be met:

1. All general education requirements as described inthis bulletin must be completed.
2. The student’s previous healthcare professional curriculum must be evaluated, and as many as 48 technical credits can be awarded. If fewer than 48 credits are awarded, the students must make up the additional credits in consultation with their advisor.
3. The student must complete the following required courses:
   • BUS 0500 Principles of Management
   • EDPSY 0006 Introduction to Educational Psychology
   • HRP 1050 Healthcare Education
   • HRP 1054 Healthcare Management
   • HRP 1095 Healthcare Internship
   • HRP 1119 Legal Aspects of Health Care
   • STAT 1020 Social Statistics

Respiratory Care

Associate Degree

The 83-credit respiratory care program is an American Medical Association-approved 20-month associate degree program that qualifies graduates to become candidates for the national registry examination. Graduates are involved in all aspects of patient assessment, therapeutic planning, and intervention for patients with cardiopulmonary disease. Extensive clinical experiences will take place at a variety of settings including hospital-based settings, home care, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, and rehabilitation departments. In addition, students will manage advanced life support equipment and perform and interpret diagnostic procedures. A maximum of 18 students are chosen from those who have a 2.25 or higher QPA at the end of the first term of study. All students who attempt the program must maintain a minimum QPA of 2.25 in required professional courses each semester. Once this degree is obtained, a student may continue at UPJ to receive a bachelor’s degree in health related professions.

First Year—Fall Term (14 credits)

Prerespiratory Care

Biology 0950

English Composition 0005

Chemistry 0190, 0192

Respiratory Care 0020

First Year—Spring Term (18 credits)

Biology 0970

Respiratory Care 1022, 1026, 1028, 1041

Mathematics 0001

First Year—Summer Term (18 credits)

Respiratory Care 1024, 1030, 1031

Elective

Second Year—Fall Term (18 credits)

Respiratory Care 1032, 1034

Elective

Elective

Second Year—Spring Term (15 credits)

Respiratory Care 1038, 1039

Elective

Surgical Technology

Associate Degree

This 79-credit program will allow individuals completing the required course work to receive a Surgical Technologist Certificate as well as an associate degree and will qualify them to sit for the Surgical Technologist National Certifying Examination.

The surgical technologist is involved in many aspects of a patient’s care in the operating room setting as well as ambulatory surgery, delivery, and emergency rooms. Supervised by either surgeons, anesthesiologists, or nurses, surgical technologists prepare patients for surgery, prepare instruments and equipment, prepare fluids for intravenous administration, prepare specimens for laboratory analysis, and prepare wound dressings. The technologist also assists the surgeon in some procedures.

Prior to official admission to the program, the applicant must be accepted to both the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s School of Surgical Technology via an application and interview process. Individuals who currently have a valid surgical technologist certification may receive an associate degree by successfully completing the necessary course requirements. Once this degree is obtained, a student may continue at UPJ to receive a bachelor's degree in health related professions.

Courses are team taught by UPJ faculty and hospital instructors within their area of expertise.

First Year—Fall Term (14 credits)

Biology 0950

English Composition 0005

Chemistry 0190, 0192

Psychology 0200

First Year—Spring Term (17 credits)

Biology 0970, 0980, 0981

Mathematics 0001

Elective

Elective

Second Year—Fall Term (17 credits)

Surgical Technology 1010, 1020, 1030

Second Year—Spring Term (18 credits)

Surgical Technology 1040, 1050

Second Year—Summer Term (13 credits)

Surgical Technology 1060, 1070

Elective

Programs in Education

Chair: Karen Cameron Scanlon, EdD

Degrees Offered

• BS in Elementary Education
• BA in Secondary Education (with concentrations in Citizenship or English)
• BS in Secondary Education (with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, or Mathematics)
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certification (can be attained in all concentrations and in general science)

Faculty: Natalie Conrad, Susan Davis, Melonie Dropik, Nina Girard, Jean James, Donna Kowalczyk, Bernard Poole, Mark Previte, Karen Scanlon, Malcolm Van Blerkom, Robert Zellers

Adjunct Faculty: Charles Kormanski, Paul Neatrour, Robert Swanson

Division Policies and Requirements

The Division of Education provides complete information on all programs and related policies in its Student Handbook, which may be obtained in 153 Biddle Hall or viewed in an abridged version on the UPJ Web site, www.upj.pitt.edu/education. Prospective students interested in majoring in education should read the Student Handbook prior to enrolling at UPJ. The Student Handbook is updated every year and is therefore more current and explanatory than this bulletin. In all cases, policies described in the Student Handbook take precedence over policies described in the bulletin.

Freshmen who plan to major in elementary or secondary education as undergraduate students first enroll at UPJ as pre-education majors. To be eligible to declare pre-education as a major, incoming freshmen must have been granted full, not provisional, admission status by the UPJ Office of Admissions.

Students who plan to relocate from another University of Pittsburgh campus to major in education at UPJ must meet minimum QPA requirements in order to declare pre-education as a major. While a 2.50 QPA is a minimum standard for students who have earned 12 or fewer credits, a higher QPA is required for students who have earned more than 12 credits.

Students who plan to transfer from another college or university to major in education at UPJ must meet minimum QPA requirements in order to declare pre-education as a major. This minimum QPA is based on all courses taken at another college, whether or not the credits are accepted by UPJ. (While a 2.50 QPA is a minimum standard for students who have earned 12 or fewer credits, a higher QPA is required for students who have earned more than 12 credits.) Students interested in transferring should request a transcript review from the Division of Education prior to applying for admission at UPJ. This transcript review will inform potential students of remaining course work needed to complete an education program at UPJ. Interested students should send a copy of all college transcripts, along with a cover letter stating the intended program and the potential term for enrollment in a program at UPJ, to Karen Cameron Scanlon at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 153 Biddle Hall, Johnstown, PA 15904.

Postbaccalaureate students who plan to seek commonwealth certification in either elementary or Secondary education at UPJ must also meet minimum QPA requirements in order to declare pre-education as a major. This minimum QPA is based on all courses taken at any college within the past five years and any course taken longer than five years ago that would be applied to the program. (While a 2.50 QPA is a minimum standard for students who have earned 12 or fewer credits, a higher QPA is required for students who have earned more than 12 credits.) Eligible postbaccalaureate students may choose one of two options: certification while earning a second bachelor’s degree or certification without earning a second bachelor's degree. Students interested in seeking postbaccalaureate certification should request a transcript review from the Division of Education prior to applying for admission at UPJ. This transcript review will inform potential students of remaining course work needed to complete an education program at UPJ. Interested students should send a copy of all college transcripts, along with a cover letter stating the intended program and the potential term for enrollment in a program at UPJ, to Karen Cameron Scanlon at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 153 Biddle Hall, Johnstown, PA 15904.

Students already enrolled in another major at UPJ must gain the approval of the chairperson of the Division of Education in order to change their major to pre-education. The student’s current academic quality point average is the basis upon which approval will or will not be granted. (While a 2.50 QPA is a minimum standard for students who have earned 12 or fewer credits, a higher QPA is required for students who have earned more than 12 credits.)

Once enrolled in pre-education, students must meet specific requirements to gain admission to the upper-level elementary or secondary education programs. Criteria for admission include 45 earned credits, a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.0, satisfactory letters of recommendation, minimum C grades in several designated courses, one English composition and one English literature course, two math courses designated for the specific program, successful passing of all three Praxis I certification tests, and—for pre-elementary education majors—passing of the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test. Postbaccalaureate and transfer students also must have earned a minimum combined QPA of 3.0 (combination of all courses taken in the past five years at any institution, courses taken more than five years from the date of admission that are applied to the program, and credits taken—minimum of 15—as a pre-education student). Policies related to admission to the upper-level program are described fully in the Student Handbook.

The upper-level program is structured as a sequence of experiences. Upper-level elementary education students complete a set of courses during a four-term period, with student teaching comprising the major part of the fourth-term component. The secondary education program is structured somewhat more flexibly, but interested students should gain an understanding of the sequential nature of the upper-level curriculum prior to declaring pre-education as a major.

Upper-level students must meet specific requirements to be admitted to student teaching, and all students who complete student teaching also must pass all required Praxis certification tests to be eligible for Pennsylvania certification.

In addition, all pre-education majors must submit copies of a criminal background clearance and a child abuse history clearance prior to enrolling in the pre-education course History and Philosophy of Education, which must be taken at UPJ.

NOTE: Prospective students who have failed any Praxis certification test are not eligible to declare pre-education as a major at UPJ until they have passed the failed test.

NOTE: Most pre-education courses are open only to those students who are enrolled in pre-education. All upper-level education courses are open only to students admitted to the upper-level program, and all upper-level courses must be taken at UPJ.

Program Requirements

Elementary Education Major

Students who complete all program requirements, meet graduation requirements, and pass all required certification tests will be certified in Pennsylvania to teach grades K–6. Certified elementary education graduates also may qualify for middle level certification (grades 7–9) by passing a middle level certification test for a specific content area. Information regarding the addition of middle level certification is provided in the Student Handbook. Certification requirements vary in other states, but Pennsylvania certification typically is accepted by most states for initial employment. Prospective undergraduate students—and postbaccalaureate students seeking certification only—may find the most current information on program course requirements in the division’s Student Handbook.

The following is a summarized description of program requirements.

• Pre-Education Curriculum (74 credits): Students typically take 62 of the following pre-education credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences (18 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (15 credits)
  • Pre-education (7 credits)
  • Free and Education Electives (16 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Elementary Education Curriculum (52 credits): All courses in the upper-level elementary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to the credits shown below, students typically take their remaining 12 pre-education curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar.
  • First Term (12 credits)
  • Second Term (12 credits)
  • Third Term (12 credits)
  • Fourth Term (student teaching and seminar, 16 credits)

Secondary Education Major

The Division of Education offers secondary education degrees and certification in the following areas of concentration: biology, chemistry, citizenship (similar to the former social studies), earth and space science, English, and mathematics. In addition, students who are completing certification requirements in one of the science programs may choose to add certification requirements in general science. Students who complete all of their specific program's requirements, meet graduation requirements, and pass all required certification tests will be certified in Pennsylvania to teach their program content in grades 7–12. Certification requirements vary in other states, but Pennsylvania certification typically is accepted by most states for initial employment. Prospective undergraduate students—and postbaccalaureate students seeking certification only—may find the most current information on each program’s course requirements in the division’s Student Handbook.

The following is a summarized description of each secondary education program’s requirements.

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Biology (127–129 credits)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97–99 credits): Students typically take 67 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Psychology (6 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required and Elective Biology (22–24 credits)
  • Required Sciences (24 credits)
  • Required Math (8 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper-level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 30–32 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Chemistry (130 credits)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (100 credits): Students typically take 67 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Psychology (6 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required Chemistry (32 credits)
  • Required Sciences (17 credits)
  • Required Math (8 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper-level secondary education curriculum  must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 30–33 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Citizenship (127–128 credits)

Completion of this program certifies graduates to teach history, geography, political science, and economics to grades 7–12. (Students choose one of three strands: geography, history, or political science.)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97–98 credits): Students typically take 61 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences (15–16 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences Distribution (27 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required and Elective Content Courses (all in either geography, history, or political science) (30 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper-level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 36 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Earth and Space Science (127–129 credits)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97–99 credits): Students typically take 64 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Psychology (6 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required and Elective Geology and Planetary Science (32–34 credits)
  • Required Sciences (14 credits)
  • Required Math (8 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper-level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 33–35 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in English (127 credits)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97 credits): Students typically take 61 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences (15 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Free Electives (3 credits)
  • Required Humanities (9 credits)
  • Required and Elective Literature (36 credits)
  • Required Writing (9 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper -level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 36 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in General Science (127–128 credits) (certification with another secondary education science program)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97–98 credits): Students typically take 66 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Psychology (6 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required and Elective Sciences (46–47 credits)
  • Required Math (8 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper -level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 31–32 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Mathematics (128–129 credits)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (98–99 credits): Students typically take 63–64 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences (10–11 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences (12 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required Mathematics (41 credits)
  • Required Computer Science (7 credits)
  • Mathematics or Computer Science Elective (3 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper -level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 35–36 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).

Secondary Education Major with an Area of Concentration in Social Studies (128–129 credits)

Completion of this program certifies graduates to teach history, geography, political science, and economics to grades 7-12. (Students choose one of three strands: geography, history, or political science.)

• Pre-Education and Content Curriculum (97–98 credits): Students typically take 61 of the following pre-education and content credits during their freshman and sophomore years.
  • English Composition (6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences (15–16 credits)
  • Humanities (12 credits)
  • Social Sciences Distribution (27 credits)
  • Pre-Education (7 credits)
  • Required and Elective Content Courses (all in either geography, history, or political science) (30 credits)
    
    
• Upper-Level Secondary Education Curriculum (30 credits): All courses in the upper-level secondary education curriculum must be taken at UPJ. In addition to courses in teaching methods and instructional technology (14 credits), students typically take their remaining 36 pre-education and content curriculum credits during the first three terms of the upper level. The final term generally is reserved for student teaching and the student teaching seminar (16 credits).