Undergraduate Teacher Preparation - Current and Returning Students

How do I finish the program?

1. Declare your major: Choose a content area and choose a concentration in Education. You will have specific courses that you will need to take with your major. Here are most of the education courses needed for students preparing to teach in secondary education on the Undergraduate Teacher Preparation checklist.
2. TEC Approval: Meet with your PSED adviser every semester. Before Teacher Educational Council (TEC) approval you must have met all the requirements.
   • Basic Skills Requirements: There are different ways to meet the basic skills including specific courses and tests. Download the basic skills worksheet to help you. There are different tests or courses that you can take, but all need to report math, reading and writing scores.
   • Course Requirements: Complete 40-60 credits; have a 3.0 GPA; 2 math classes; 1 literature course & 1 composition course
   • Clearances: Obtain particular clearances
   • TK 20: Complete an application, disposition survey and upload materials
3. Courses: Take the entry level courses. Maintain a 3.0 QPA.
4. Field Experiences: Many education courses have “field experiences.” You must have complete clearances. Review information at the Field Experience office.
5. Subject Certification test - recommendation: Pass the subject certification tests otherwise you will need to before you are certified. Certification Tests: ETS - PA.
6. Student teach: To student teach all content and education course work should be complete. The Field Experience Office finds placements when you have fulfilled requirements. Please review the Field Experience requirements and timelines.
7. Finishing Up - Successful Student teaching!
   Graduate: Apply for graduation.
   Get Certified: Have a 3.0 QPA (or meet exceptions); make sure that you fulfilled all requirements; apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Certification in your content area or another state.