Early and Elementary Education requires two courses, a mathematics course (at or above the 1000 level and not remedial) and a science course. More information can be found here.
In Middle Grades and Secondary Education generally, we recommend taking college-level classes in the content area you plan to teach.
For middle grades, we typically require at least 4 courses or 12 semester credits in the content area.
For Secondary Education content areas, including math, science, English, and Social Studies, we are seeking college credits equivalent to at least a minor, with specific content requirements.
For World Languages, such as Spanish, we are looking for 10 courses about the language, literature, and culture on a college transcript.
We may be willing to accept some work history as a substitute for coursework. Reach out to educate@temple.edu if you would like to discuss your options. We will ask to see a resume as a starting point.
We’re happy to work with you on this. Please email educate@temple.edu We will ask to see an unofficial transcript or all of your transcripts as a starting point.
You will need official transcripts from all institutions you’ve attended, two letters of recommendation, and a short personal statement explaining why you are applying to the program and why you want to be a certified teacher.
Additional Requirements: Middle Grades applicants need to take and pass two Praxis exams. Secondary Social Studies and World Languages candidates are required to take a Praxis exam. Secondary math, science and English candidates do not have additional requirements.
Once all materials are submitted and Temple has received your transcripts and test scores (if applicable), a decision can be made relatively quickly. You can check your application status at any time by emailing educate@temple.edu.
We strongly encourage applicants to choose one certification area that best aligns with their personal interests, academic background and professional goals—rather than applying to multiple programs (e.g., both Secondary Math and Secondary Science) to “see what sticks.” Each program is carefully designed to prepare candidates for a specific certification area, and a focused application helps ensure a better fit and smoother progression through the program.
If you're interested in becoming certified in more than one subject, it’s important to know that in many cases, you do not need to complete a second full certification program. Once you earn your initial teacher certification, Pennsylvania may allow you to add additional certifications by passing a content-area test or meeting other targeted requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
We recommend discussing your long-term goals with an advisor or faculty member before applying. They can help you understand which program is the best starting point and guide you on how to pursue additional certifications in the future. Reach out to educate@temple.edu for assistance.
No. These programs are designed for individuals without prior training in education, preparing them for teacher certification in Pennsylvania. Special Education is the only program designed specifically for currently certified teachers.
We normally ask for a 3.0 undergraduate or graduate GPA for admission.
No, the GRE is not required. Depending on the certification you wish to pursue, you may need to pass some Praxis exams and if you were educated abroad, you might need to report TOEFL results.
Yes! This program is designed for candidates seeking teacher certification with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). If you are an international applicant, you should ensure that you will be able to be certified by PDE. You can see the requirements on PDE’s website .
You can complete the program in as little as 12 months, depending on your starting term and course load. Courses include subject-specific pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), teaching reading in content areas, and working with English language learners. Sample schedules are available for middle and secondary education pathways, showing options for full-time and part-time pacing. See Program Pathways.
Yes! The program is designed with working professionals in mind. Most classes are held at night or offered asynchronously online. For Early and Elementary Education, your four content methods courses must be completed in-person in the evenings. Middle Grades Education programs also require four in-person evening courses. Secondary Education programs require two in-person evening classes. The other courses are offered online asynchronously.
Yes! The program is designed to be completed either part-time or full-time. Even if you are attending part-time, it is possible to complete the program in 12 calendar months.
Per the Graduate School Leave of Absence policy, students in certificate programs are eligible to apply for Leave of Absence (LOA). You should discuss any anticipated LOA with your assigned advisor to understand any potential impact on your progress.
Enrolling in a graduate certificate program means that you are completing a collection of coursework that helps you achieve a goal, in this case, preparing to be a teacher. Our non-degree graduate certificate programs range from 19 to 22 credits in length. To complete a master's degree, you need to complete 31 credits of coursework.
Yes! After completing your certificate, you may choose to continue on to a master’s degree. The master's program requires 31 total credits, and certificate coursework may count toward that requirement. Many students pursue a master’s degree to meet the requirements for Pennsylvania’s Instructional II certification or to increase their earning potential in school settings.
Yes! For example, you could stack a certificate in Middle Grades or Secondary Education with a certificate in ESL and need only a few additional courses to complete a master's degree!
Tuition rates are listed on the TU Bursar’s Office Tuition Rates/Tuition Calculator. Our programs range from 19 to 22 credit hours. The college offers scholarships, tuition awards and assistantships. Pennsylvania also offers a stipend for student teaching, and Temple can assist with the application fee. Contact educate@temple.edu for assistance with funding opportunities.
Yes! You will be assigned both a professional and faculty advisor to guide you through your program.
Temple’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) also has a dedicated Certification Officer who will support you through the process of applying for your teaching credentials with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). A detailed, step-by-step guide to the certification process, including forms, timelines, and PDE requirements, is available on our Certification website. We encourage all students to review this information early in their program and to reach out with any questions that may arise along the way.
Your student teaching semester depends on your pace. It could be as early as your second semester. Temple places students within 30 miles of our main campus but cannot place students in New Jersey (NJ) or Delaware (DE). Placements are based on factors such as commute, housing, and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements.
Temple tries to accommodate in-place student teaching, when possible, especially in Philadelphia. However, this depends on meeting the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements and school and district policies.
You must complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and successfully complete student teaching. You may also need to pass Praxis exams depending on your certification area. Visit Certification: Testing Requirements (PA Dept of Ed) for specific requirements.
Early and Elementary Education must pass all three parts of the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Test (PECT). More information can be found on Pearson's website.
Middle grades and Secondary English, Math, and Science require Praxis exam scores for certification.
Secondary Social Studies and World Languages do not require additional Praxis exams post-completion.
Temple’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) also has a dedicated Certification Officer who will support you through the process of applying for your teaching credentials with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). A detailed, step-by-step guide to the certification process, including forms, timelines, and PDE requirements, is available on our Certification website. We encourage all students to review this information early in their program and to reach out with any questions that may arise.