The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that undergraduate teacher education students meet specific requirements in order to take upper-level education courses, such as teaching methods and student teaching. When a student has met all of these requirements, based on review of their application, they are approved for Teacher Candidacy in the teacher preparation program. 

Teacher Candidacy Requirements:

• Submit an application to the CEHD's Office of Academic Advising the semester indicated on your academic plan.
• Attend a Candidacy workshop held by CEHD's Office of Academic Advising. 
• Generally, successfully complete:
  • six credits of college-level math to be approved for Teacher Candidacy;*
  • three credits of college-level literature;**
  • three credits of English/college composition.**
• Complete a minimum of 48 credits (transfer included).
• Earn a C- or higher in all courses identified as pre-Teacher Candidacy courses on the 8-semester program plan.
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
  • Students whose GPA is below a 3.00, but above a 2.80 are eligible to petition for a GPA appeal. Petitions are reviewed and may be approved based on fulfillment of all teacher candidacy criteria and within Pennsylvania Department of Education and PA legislative guidelines and rule. Students needing to submit an appeal must schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
• Basic Skills Assessment (BSA): ​​Effective July 1, 2025, the BSA will no longer be required for students for entry into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program for students with a 3.00 cumulative GPA.
  • Teacher candidacy applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 2.80-2.99, and who are eligible to apply for a GPA appeal for teacher candidacy entry/approval, must fulfill the BSA in some manner.
  • NOTE: The basic skills assessment was waived for three years from July 8, 2022 to July 8, 2025.
• Students should consult the PDE web site for updates and current requirements.

*Developmental courses, pre-college courses, MATH 0701, and MATH 0702 are not applicable to this requirement.

**Developmental courses, pre-college courses, ENG 0701, and ENG 0711 are not applicable to this requirement.