Graduate Teacher Preparation
Be a high school or middle school teacher!
You have real life experience to make a positive impact on students, and you have earned a B.A. or B.S.
In secondary education, a teacher earns certification in a subject area. Teaching certificates are issued by the state with coursework required in both subject areas (i.e. Chemistry, English etc.) and teacher education courses.
- Career Preparation: Secondary Teacher - Grades 7-12
- Certification Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, and languages (Spanish,French, German & Chinese), and Dual Certification in Special Education & Subject Area
Accelerated Program - Complete Your Certification in 1 Year
If you already have an undergraduate degree in a subject areas, and pass the coinciding subject area certification test, you can qualify for accelerated program and earn your PA teaching certification in 1 year as a secondary teacher.
- Course Work for 1 Year Accelerated Program Teacher Certification in Secondary Education (Grade 7-12)
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- Spring - SPED 550, PSED 520, Teaching of Content or REED 528
- Summer - PSED 524 (or equivalent) PSED 510
- Fall - PSED 521, SPED 551, and Teaching of Content or REED 528
- Spring - Student teaching PSED 518, PSED 519, 499
All About M.Ed. in Professional Education at ESU
- Why ESU for Graduate Teacher Preparation?
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- Work towards your MEd: By the time you finished with certification, you will have completed work for your level 1 teacher certification in a content area. Nine courses (27 credits) count toward your master's in education. Many students continue onto the M.Ed. after obtaining teaching job. Then, you can apply most graduate credits. (Student teaching does not count toward and M.Ed.) To finish your M.Ed., contact your adviser to help plan which track is best for you. Most complete the professional education track.
- Accelerated Program: If you qualify, you can earn your teacher certification in 1 year.
- Internship Program: If you pass the subject area test, are accepted into the ESU teacher preparation program, and a school would like to hire to teach your subject, you qualify for an intern certificate. You can then teach full time while you finish the certification program.
- Hybrid program: Courses are offered online and in person. All courses are online except PSED 521 and “Teaching of.” The hybrid program prepares you to teach in multiple settings while providing convenience.
- Strong working relationships with area schools: When you need to do the field experiences or complete student teaching, we find your placements.
- Value and Accredited: ESU’s teacher certification program is nationally accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, has received the "gold standard" as Nationally Recognized and is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Experienced Professors and Teachers that CARE about your progress to becoming a strong educator! ESU's faculty have been working with and leading innovative instructional design and technologies since 2000.
- Be prepared to teach online, blended and traditionally! We have professors that are experienced in all the different learning environments as teachers, learners and scholars.
- What do students learn to do?
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- Teach grades 7-12 the subject you major in.
- Use technology to create interactive lessons in face-to-face and online environments that keep students engaged and interested in their learning.
- Design instructional units with the Understanding by Design Framework so that learners focus on the understanding what really matters.
- Create lessons using culturally relevant pedagogy, multiple means of engagement, representation and action expression.
- Practice strategies to empower your diverse learners through the growth mindset, personalized learning, and social-emotional support.
- Will I be prepared to teach in different settings?
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At ESU, you will have experiences teaching face-to-face, online, and blended. The current challenges are opportunities to grow and meet more learning needs. Gain an innovator's mindset as a future teacher to lead your students!
Innovative Faculty
ESU's faculty have a history of teaching and leading innovative education. They have been key leaders in developing project-based schools, online education programs, and instituted initiatives in their respective educational organizations.
Hands-on Service Learning
In PSED 520 Seminar I and PSED 521 Seminar II, you will complete 40 hours of field experience where you will be placed in a middle school or high school based on your subject area.
- You’ll spend time observing the classroom and teach a few lessons.
- Then, when you student teach, your last semester, you will be placed in a school full time.
- Gradually, you will take over all responsibilities of the classroom with an experienced cooperating and an ESU supervisor to support you. You will implement many of the empowering strategies that you have learned in your course work.
Applying to the Graduate Teacher Preparation Program
When you apply for certification, you actually want to apply to the Professional Education M.Ed. Program. We recommend you finish your M.Ed. after you have been certified and begin your career as a teacher.
- Transcript Evaluation: Determine the content courses you need: Send an email to the PSED Secretary, Ms. Carolyn Cooper Chambliss, ccooper12@esu.edu for a transcript evaluation. State your interest in obtaining teacher certification as a post baccalaureate student and the content area of interest.
- Apply: Apply to the Graduate M.Ed. Program in Professional and Secondary Education, Concentration - Professional Education, and write in your goal statement that you are seeking teacher certification in a specific content area.
- Why can't I get my specific my program immediately?
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You have experiences that are unique to you, so everyone's program is slightly different. There are content and education courses, and for certification you need both. Step #1 is very important so that you are aware of the classes you need.
- What courses do I need?
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Download the Graduate Teacher Preparation Guide. You will see the education courses needed. You may have undergraduate or transfer courses that meet the competencies. You should have your transcript evaluated so you are only taking what is needed for certification.
Learn more about Graduate Teacher Preparation and ESU.
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Contact Us
Contact Information
- Campus Address
- Stroud Hall 209 P
- Phone:
- (570) 422-3363
- Title of Department Leader
- Graduate Coordinator
- Name
- Mary (Liz) Azukas
- E:
- mazukas@esu.edu
- Phone:
- (570) 422-3352