As soon as you complete the program and receive your final GPA.
Undergraduate students will be recommended for certification by the certification officer once their Baccalaureate degree is awarded on your transcript.
Master's students do not have to wait for the M.Ed. to be awarded. Once you complete the program and have your final GPA you can be recommended for certification.
All Certification Applicants must submit the Request for PA Certification Recommendation Form to be recommended for certification. The form should be completed after you apply in TIMS for certification.
Yes, when PDE reviews your application for certification they will send you an email to let you know that your cert. is “Pending Test Scores”. PDE will keep your application open for a year. When you take your tests and meet the test requirements, you will need to contact PDE to let them know to review your application.
Please note: When you take your exams in PA your scores are automatically sent to PDE. Your score will be matched to your TIMS application. Be sure to list Temple University as a score recipient.
Yes, PDE will still process the PK-4 certification only. Once you complete the exams for the second certification you must contact PDE directly to review your application for that certification.
It is not required but highly recommended that you first apply for your PA teaching certification. You can hold a certificate in multiple states. Once you receive your PA certification you can apply to your desired state. Please keep in mind that each state has different requirements. You may have to complete additional requirements, such as coursework, assessments, or classroom experience, before receiving a full professional certificate in the new state. It is your responsibility to check your desired state certification requirements NASDTEC, Information for Out of State Applicants. Many states require the applicant to provide verification of program completion from the university where they completed the program. Please send the verification form to the attention of Ms. Tonya Thomas at certification@temple.edu for completion.
Test requirements can be found on the PDE website site: Certification Testing Requirements
Temple University Libraries maintains a subscription to Peterson's Testing & Education Reference Center, which includes downloadable online PRAXIS I and II test prep books and a Praxis I sample test. To access them, follow the link provided, select "Vocational Test Prep" from the main menu, and then" Teaching " from the subject areas listed. You can also go to library.temple.edu and enter "Gale presents Peterson's test and career prep" in the search box. You must set up an account to access these resources.
Butler County Community College offers Praxis test courses and individualized tutoring to prepare you for the test. These resources are available to any test-taker for a fee. For more information and to explore current offerings, visit PassPraxis.com
Dual Cert ESL program completers must receive their initial certification before applying for the English as a Second Language certification. You will need to register and submit an online application in the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). The credential you will apply for is Program Specialist and the subject is English as a Second Language. Teaching English As a Second Language (ESL)
You should only apply for an emergency permit when instructed to do so by your employer. See more information on Emergency Permits
Moving From Level I to Level II Certification
As stated on the PA Department of Education site. Your initial certificate, Level I, is valid for 6 service years, during which time you must complete the requirements below.
After teaching in Pennsylvania on a Level I certificate for 3-6 years of satisfactory service and having earned 24 post-baccalaureate credits, you can apply for a Level II certificate. The following conditions must be met:
Six credits must be associated with your area(s) of certification and/or must be designed to improve professional practice
You must have three years of satisfactory service on a Level I certificate, verified by the chief school administrator of the employing school entity
You must have completed a PDE induction program verified by the chief school administrator of your employing entity
It is the responsibility of each certificate holder to obtain the Level II certificate before the service life of the Level I expires. Failure to do so will result in a lapsed certificate and the certificate holder will be ineligible for employment.
As cited on PDE website; Act 48 of 1999 requires persons holding Pennsylvania professional educator certification to complete continuing education requirements every five years to maintain their certificate status as active whether employed or not. For more information, visit PDE: Continuing Education and Professional Development.