Teacher Education Program Admissions Requirements

For specific course requirements by major, you can open one of the following degree completion (advising) forms.  Your advisor will use one of these forms to keep track of your progress, but you are ultimately responsible for knowing the program requirements.

• Biology Education
• Business, Computer and Information Technology Education
• Chemistry Education
• Early Level Education
• English Education
• Health and PE Education
• Mathematics Education
• Social Studies Education

Graduation from the program does not automatically result in teacher certification. You will need to apply for certification with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. During student teaching, you must receive approval for recommendation for PDE certification from both your University Supervisor and Cooperating Teacher in the second/final placement. If you are not recommended for certification but have earned sufficient credits for your education degree, you will still graduate with your degree. You may still submit an application for an Instructional I certificate; however, the education program will not endorse (i.e., recommend) your application for approval. In all cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) makes the final determination to approve or deny certification, regardless of whether a candidate is recommended. An application for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate must be submitted after a final transcript has been issued, and all required PECT or Praxis II exams have been successfully completed.

We know you are going to be in a hurry to apply for certification, but there are many things that must be done before you can apply:

1. You must complete student teaching and all courses needed for your degree and certification area.
2. You must have a 3.0 GPA (this applies to both baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students). If you find yourself with less than a 3.0 GPA, make an appointment with the program director to discuss alternative certification routes.
3. You must pass all required PECT or PRAXIS II exams and provide a copy of the official scores.
4. WE must have current clearances on file for you.

The PECT tests are computer-delivered. View study guides, practice tests, and location information.
The Praxis tests are also computer-delivered.  View study guides, practice tests and location information 

All certification candidates can find information for qualifying test scores on this document: GPA Qualifying Test Scores

Early Level Education majors who must take the PECT modules may qualify for a fee waiver from Pearson. If you are currently enrolled and are currently receiving financial aid, use this form

Health and Physical Education and Secondary Education majors who must take Praxis tests may qualify for a fee waiver from ETS. If you are currently enrolled and are receiving financial aid, use this form 

It is your responsibility to submit the certification application once all requirements are met. 

Applications for certification are completed online through the PA Department of Education's Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). Effective November 1, 2016, the application fee is $200.
To learn how to use TIMS, applicants should go to the PA Department of Education's website for a link to a video. 
Once you apply for certification through TIMS, we will be able to see that your application is ready for our endorsement. We will not endorse your application until we have all the required documents in your permanent file. 

If you want some help with navigating the process, please contact Mark Miller at 814-362-5056 or via email at markmiller@pitt.edu to arrange an appointment.

If you want to search for open teaching positions in Pennsylvania, you can search for career opportunities on the PA Department of Education's website.

Once you receive your certification, if you have a need to inactivate it, you may request a voluntary inactive certificate status by submitting an application online via TIMS.

Licensure Pass Rates

For compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act, following is information about licensure pass rates for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Institutional pass rate percentages are not provided by ETS or Pearson for content areas where fewer than 10 students take the test. In addition, students can pass certification exams by meeting cut rate scores based on a 3.0 GPA or by using qualifying scores based on GPAs which are above or below 3.0. The pass rates that appear on the Title II Report are based solely on those who passed certification exams using the cut rate score.

Following is a breakdown of the 2023-2024 results for our institution for each certification area that had test takers and takes into account those who passed via the qualifying scores based on GPA.

Four of our completers have not attempted PA certification exams because they plan to pursue NYS certification. One completer for Grades PK-4 attempted one module but did not pass and has not yet attempted again. Another completer for Grades PK-4 has passed two modules but not the third module. A third completer for Grades PK-4 has passed one module but has not yet taken the other two modules.