Pennsylvania Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to the award of a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional route certification in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) offers alternative teacher certification for prospective educators who did not follow the traditional route to a teaching certificate. Continue reading to learn more about these pathways to licensure.
Table of Contents
- Pennsylvania Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
The minimum requirement to pursue alternative teacher certification in Pennsylvania is a bachelor’s degree. Candidates for alternative certification must complete the same exams as traditional route educators. Candidates must also attend a teacher preparation program approved by the PDE. There are numerous approved Pennsylvania alternative preparation programs, some of which can be completed in as little as one year. Earning a master’s degree in education can also qualify candidates for certification.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Pennsylvania
Below, we have outlined the four different paths to alternative teaching certification in Pennsylvania. Further details about requirements are available on the PDE website.
Pennsylvania Temporary Teaching Permit/ABCTE Passport to Teaching
Candidates who hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in an approved content area may apply for a Temporary Teaching Permit. To be eligible for this permit, candidates must also earn a Passport to Teaching credential through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) by passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) exam and the Praxis content area exam for their subject. Once a temporary permit is issued, the candidate may teach for one year while completing the Point Park University alternative teacher preparation program. After meeting requirements for licensure, the candidate can apply for an initial Instructional I Certificate.
Pennsylvania Teacher Intern Certification Program
The Pennsylvania Teacher Intern Certification Program is open to candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in the subject to be taught with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The candidate must also achieve acceptable scores on the appropriate content area exams. Candidates can then be issued an Intern Certificate to teach full-time while completing the intern teacher preparation program. Completion of program requirements leads to eligibility for the Instructional I Certificate.
Pennsylvania Vocational Instructional Certificate
Pennsylvania’s Vocational Instructional Certificate is for those who wish to teach career and technical education (CTE) subjects. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must be enrolled in an approved vocational teacher preparation program; have at least four years of paid work experience in the occupation to be taught; pass the occupational competency exams or demonstrate equivalent credentials; earn an institutional recommendation for a Vocational Intern Certificate; and meet all other requirements for teaching in Pennsylvania. This license is valid for up to three years while the candidate completes a teacher preparation program.
Pennsylvania Teacher Emergency Permit
An Emergency Permit may be issued to college graduates at the request of a specific school if a teaching position has been advertised but no qualified and certified applicant is available. An Emergency Permit can only be used to teach in a vacant position as a long-term substitute. The permit is valid for one school year, but may be reissued if the candidate is making satisfactory progress in an approved teacher preparation program.
Testing Requirements for Pennsylvania Alternative Certification
Most pathways to alternative certification in Pennsylvania require candidates to pass the same exams as traditional-route teachers. Pennsylvania uses the Praxis series of exams, including the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) exam and subject area exams. The PDE provides a detailed list of testing requirements by certificate type.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Out-of-state applicants may be eligible for Pennsylvania teacher certification by reciprocity if the applicant has either a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Credential or has an active out-of-state teaching certification with two years of teaching experience. You can find out more about the requirements for these pathways through our guide to teacher certification reciprocity or the PDE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Pennsylvania
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the PDE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albright College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,553 |
| Arcadia University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,576 |
| Carlow University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $21,212 |
| Cedar Crest College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $22,438 |
| Chestnut Hill College | — | Master’s | 10 | — | — | $24,892 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,004 |
| DeSales University* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 12 | 4 | N.Av. | $29,836 |
| Drexel University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 20 | 19 | — | $39,463 |
| Duquesne University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $32,408 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate | 1 | 1 | N.Av. | $18,500 |
| Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster | — | Master’s | — | — | — | — |
| Eastern University | — | Certificate, Master’s | 5 | 2 | N.Av. | $23,961 |
| Gannon University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $22,839 |
| Grove City College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $22,371 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $25,219 |
| Holy Family University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,234 |
| Immaculata University | — | Certificate | 2 | 2 | N.Av. | $28,952 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate | 14 | 7 | N.Av. | $20,933 |
| King’s College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $27,561 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Master’s | 1 | 1 | N.Av. | $21,673 |
| La Roche University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $23,932 |
| La Salle University | — | Master’s | 2 | 1 | N.Av. | $25,401 |
| Lancaster Bible College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $20,736 |
| Lehigh University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,098 |
| Lincoln University | — | Master’s | 59 | 17 | — | $17,405 |
| Marywood University | — | Master’s | 12 | 5 | N.Av. | $21,657 |
| Mercyhurst College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $26,942 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $21,599 |
| Moore College of Art and Design | — | Certificate, Master’s | 1 | 1 | N.Av. | $40,141 |
| Moravian College | — | Certificate, Master’s | 3 | — | — | $29,936 |
| Muhlenberg College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $35,152 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg* | AAQEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Pennsylvania State University-University Park | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $25,548 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $19,579 |
| Point Park University* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $23,980 |
| Relay Graduate School of Education* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 174 | 67 | 89% | — |
| Robert Morris University | CAEP | Certificate | — | — | — | $26,917 |
| Rosemont College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,516 |
| Saint Joseph’s University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $35,780 |
| Seton Hill University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $23,008 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $21,631 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,117 |
| Susquehanna University | — | Certificate, Master’s | 2 | 2 | N.Av. | $26,597 |
| Temple University* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $23,254 |
| University of Pennsylvania* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 65 | 43 | 88% | $24,167 |
| University of Pittsburgh | — | Master’s | 46 | 27 | 100% | $22,346 |
| University of Scranton | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $36,093 |
| University of Valley Forge | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,680 |
| Villanova University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $38,303 |
| Waynesburg University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,029 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,336 |
| Widener University* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 2 | — | — | $32,695 |
| Wilkes University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $30,281 |
| Wilson College | — | Certificate | 139 | 50 | 93% | $22,318 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Pennsylvania
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Pennsylvania. The following schools all reported a pass rate of 93% or above for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- Wilson College (Certificate; 93%)
- University of Pittsburgh (Master’s; 100%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Pennsylvania based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- University of Pennsylvania (10 months)
- University of Pittsburgh (10 months)
- Arcadia University (12 months)
- Cedar Crest College (12 months)
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (12 months)
- DeSales University (12 months)
- East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (12 months)
- Eastern University (12 months)
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania (12 months)
- Lancaster Bible College (12 months)
- Mercyhurst College (12 months)
- Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg (12 months)
- Pennsylvania State University-University Park (12 months)
- Point Park University (12 months)
- Relay Graduate School of Education (12 months)
- Seton Hill University (12 months)
- Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (12 months)
- Susquehanna University (12 months)
- Temple University (12 months)
- University of Scranton (12 months)
- Villanova University (12 months)
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (12 months)
- Widener University (12 months)
- Wilkes University (12 months)
- Wilson College (12 months)
Additional Resources
- American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) Pennsylvania: The official site for the hybrid online ABCTE route to licensure in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Certification Services: Provides detailed certification and testing requirements for prospective Pennsylvania educators.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- How to Become a Teacher in Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Certification Services: https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/default.aspx
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/