The education program at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is the best in the state and nationally ranked as well. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university ranked No. 9 among all teaching colleges nationwide. One of the distinguishing aspects of the Penn program is the breadth of the areas of study available. Students can pursue degrees at all levels, from the bachelor's degree through the Ph.D. and the Ed.D. The college is also renowned for its joint-degree programs offering additional studies in the areas of learning leadership for business executives and urban teaching. An urban education minor is also possible for students outside of the Education Department.
University of Pennsylvania
School of Education
3700 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-6455
www.gse.upenn.edu
Penn State's College of Education is the second-highest-rated teaching college in the state of Pennsylvania. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Penn State program as the No. 24 program in the nation for 2009. Academic programs are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level for students. Bachelor of science degrees are offered in all areas, from early childhood education to a program that prepares students to teach world languages. Languages offered in the world languages program are English (as a second language), Spanish, German, Russian, French and Latin. Graduate programs are offered in various fields as well. Some of these include comparative and international education, counselor education, curriculum and instruction, and special education.
Pennsylvania State University---University Park
College of Education
228 Chambers Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0488
www.ed.psu.edu
The school of education at the University of Pittsburgh is the state's next-highest rated program, at No. 32 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Undergraduate programs at Pitt are somewhat limited compared with the Penn State program, offering undergraduate degrees only in the fields of exercise science, wellness and applied developmental psychology. This non-traditional focus gives students an advantage in the job market should they desire to venture outside of the field of education. By having degrees other than the traditional K-12 teaching degrees, students can market their skills in other fields. It is at the graduate level where the traditional K-12 focus is seen in the Pittsburgh curriculum. Master's and doctoral degrees are offered in secondary education for the disciplines of English, science, social studies and the like. Other graduate degrees are offered in the areas of early childhood, reading and elementary education. Other related fields are also available, such as that of educational psychology.
University of Pittsburgh
School of Education
5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-2230
www.education.pitt.edu