Pennsylvania Instructional Certification

During their senior year, students should take their certification exams, Pennsylvania Educator Certification Test (PECT) Modules 1, 2, and 3 for Grades PK-4 and appropriate Praxis exams for certification if applicable. To become a licensed PA educator, students need to complete their program, earn a passing score on certification exam(s), and submit an application for their Instructional I Certificate in the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).
 

Program Requirements

Academic Performance

• Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
• Earn Grade C or better in the required general education and professional education courses

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Field Experience

Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences including: 

• PA Criminal Record Check (Act 34) PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
• FBI Clearance (Act 114)
• University Health Requirements
• TB Screening
• Certificate of completion the training Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania (Act 31)
• Liability waiver

Read about the requirements for education field experiences.

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Teacher Candidacy

Teacher candidacy signifies a formal admission to the teacher preparation program. Achieving a teacher candidacy status is required for taking the upper division education courses, pre-student teaching, and student teaching. Students must apply by the end of their sophomore year. Mid-degree transfer students must apply by the second semester of their studies at Alvernia University. The achieve a teacher candidacy status, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

• Earn minimum of 48 credits including 6 credits of math, 3 - English composition, and 3 - American/British literature with earned Grade C or better
• Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
• Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences
• Apply for teacher candidacy and receive an approval from their education faculty advisor and the Education Department Chair

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Student Teaching

Student teaching occurs during the last semester in the program and includes two 14-week placements in PK-4 classrooms. To be admitted to student teaching, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete the required general core and professional education courses except ED 470 & ED 472 with Grade C or better
• Maintain a cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
• Maintain regulatory compliance for the educators' field experiences

Read about:

• Teaching certifications in Pennsylvania
• National teacher preparation data (Title II reports)

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective students may apply to Alvernia at any time. Multiple start dates throughout the year allow accepted students to begin a program of study at an accommodating time. We continually review applications and accept students for each of the six term starts (August, October, February, March, May, and July).

Keeping on track is important throughout the process. We encourage you to work with an admission team member to submit all materials and meet all deadlines. Our dedicated team will work directly with you to identify the best options that work for you and your unique situation.

Once your application is complete, you will not have to wait long for a decision. We continually review applications and notify students as soon as a decision has been made.

To get started, visit our Adult Education Application page for a list of instructions and documents needed.
 

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
 

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Field experiences, an integral part of the teacher preparation programs, include course-embedded fieldwork, pre-student teaching and student teaching.
 

Accreditation Statements

• The Grades PK-4 teacher preparation program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
   

Learn More

Read about: 

• Teaching Certifications in Pennsylvania
• National teacher preparation data (Title II reports)
• Education Student Organizations, Awards & Scholarships
   

Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Early Childhood Education B.A. with Grades PK-4 & Special Education PK-12 Certifications, contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to department chair Shawn Rutt at shawn.rutt@alvernia.edu.