General Information for Online Teaching Certification Programs in Pennsylvania
Teaching certification programs are one of the requirements for obtaining educator certification in Pennsylvania. Other requirements include a bachelor's degree and passing scores on certification tests. The educational and test requirements make sure that candidates have the competency to become teachers in public schools in Pennsylvania.
The department of education in Pennsylvania has recognized three pathways to pursue a teacher preparation program. These are the traditional pathway, intern program alternative route, and the post-baccalaureate program. In the traditional program, you pursue and complete teacher certification along with a bachelor's degree in a subject you want to endorse in your certification. The intern program alternative pathway is for those who already have a bachelor's degree and offers a professional certificate that authorizes candidates to pursue full-time paid teaching. The post-baccalaureate program is also for those who already have a bachelor's degree; it leads to a master's degree and certification.
List of Schools that Offer Online Teaching Certification Programs in Pennsylvania
There are a few schools in Pennsylvania that offer teaching certification programs entirely online; however, nearly all programs require a teaching internship. These programs are mostly offered in post-baccalaureate or alternative pathways. Explore four of them below.
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University offers an online accelerated Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program that leads to a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification along with a master's degree. The program offers certification preparation in the areas of PreK-4 education and secondary education. In secondary education, the program focuses on subjects like mathematics, biology, and social science. The program requires a total of 30-36 credits. Both the PreK-4 and secondary education tracks offer courses in the learning process, diversity issues, student teaching, and special education.
Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is home to an Online Accelerated Teacher Certification (OATCERT) program. This program is mainly designed for working professionals. It offers certification in secondary education in the subjects of English, mathematics, science, and citizenship. The program also allows you to earn a master's in secondary education by completing two extra courses. The 30-credit program can be completed in four semesters and entails courses in language and culture, literacy, adolescent psychology, special education, diagnostic assessment, and inclusive teaching.
Wilson College
Wilson College in Chambersburg offers a Teacher Online Pathway (TOP) program for bachelor's degree holders who work as teachers in another state and want to get certified in Pennsylvania. The program offers Pennsylvania Level I certification in the following areas: early childhood education (PreK-4 and elementary), middle-level education (science, mathematics, English, and social studies), secondary education (biology, chemistry, social studies, English, and mathematics), and PreK-12 for special education. The program also offers certification in the subjects of health & physical education and Spanish, and business, computer, and IT. The program offers a compressed schedule that allows it to be completed in a year.
Eastern University
Eastern University offers a range of certification programs at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels. All of these are offered completely online. The elementary certifications include PreK-4, PreK-4 with elementary special education, middle-level education, special education (PreK-12), and K-12 education (music, world language, health and physical education, ESL). The secondary certification is offered for levels 7-12 in the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, English, and social studies. The school also offers Master of Education Programs in the areas of Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction, each of which offers certifications along with them.
Career Overview for Teachers in Pennsylvania
Teaching certification programs play a significant role in familiarizing you with the concepts of child and adolescent psychology and education. They typically also give you the required field experience you need to work as a teacher. Teachers are responsible for leading instruction in the classroom, maintaining order, grading assignments, tracking students' progress and preparing them for standardized tests.
According to the 2019 data of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean salary of public school teachers in Pennsylvania is as follows: $66,160 (kindergarten), $69,630 (elementary), $69,330 (middle school), $66,920 (secondary).
Saint Joseph's University, Eastern University, Wilson College, and Gwynedd Mercy University offer online teaching certification programs in Pennsylvania. These are mostly post-baccalaureate or alternative programs.
