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Teacher Education Regulations




Note: These regulations are in addition to those found earlier in the Bulletin, which are applicable to all School of Education students.

The Department of Instruction and Learning offers four options in teacher education:

Option 1. The Professional Yearfor students seeking initial teacher certification but not a graduate degree.
Option 2. Additional Field Certificationfor students already possessing an Instructional I or Instructional II certificate who are seeking teacher certification in an additional specialty area, but who are not pursuing a graduate degree.
Option 3. Master of Arts in Teachingfor students seeking the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, which includes initial teacher certification.
Option 4. Certification Plus a Graduate Degreefor students seeking initial teacher certification along with a master's or doctoral degree.

Applicants seeking admission for teacher education study in the professional year or for additional field certification are subject to admissions requirements and regulations stipulated in this part of the Bulletin. Those seeking admission for a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, or certification along with a graduate degree, are subject to admissions requirements and regulations stipulated in the "Graduate Regulations" section of this Bulletin.


  • Admission and Registration
  • Preparation for Teacher Education
    Initial teacher certification is offered in the School of Education within the Department of Instruction and Learning. Admission is at the graduate level only. Regulations described in this part of the Bulletin apply to individuals seeking initial teacher certification only (i.e., certification alone, not coupled with a master's or doctoral degree).

    An individual wishing to combine Pennsylvania initial teacher certification with graduate degree work must seek admission both for teacher education study and for graduate degree study.

    Teacher education study is an intensive immersion into the theory and practice of teaching. It is intended for students who have completed or will be able to complete prerequisite requirements before beginning the professional-year sequence. These requirements include studies in general liberal arts and sciences, academic major field or content area, and preprofessional education. Qualified applicants from the University of Pittsburgh's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of General Studies (CGS), and regional campuses, as well as from other four-year colleges are invited to apply for admission.

    The program admission committees make decisions based on school, department, and program admissions requirements and their evaluation of the applicant's credentials. Numbers of students selected in any given year are based on analysis of regional needs, availability of instructional resources, and student qualifications. Because of the large number of applicants meeting minimum admission requirements, the school admits those students with the best qualifications.

    Students who successfully complete teacher education study and the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination will be eligible for an Instructional I Certificate, the certificate required for teaching in Pennsylvania, in one of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Early Childhood Education, Earth and Space Science, Elementary Education, English, Foreign Languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish), General Science, Health and Physical Education, Instructional Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Reading Specialist, Social Studies, and Special Education (Hearing Impaired, Mentally/Physically Handicapped, or Visually Impaired).

    The University also offers Instructional I certificate programs for school librarians in the School of Information Science, for teachers of speech/language-impaired children in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and for school nurses in the School of Nursing. Students interested in teacher education study at the undergraduate level should contact regional campus representatives at Bradford or Johnstown.


  • Additional Field Certification
    The School of Education offers additional field certification study opportunities to students already certified in one or more teaching fields. Students must complete major field prerequisites, course work in the subject area pedagogy, and an advanced teaching practicum. Prerequisite course work and sample curricula for each additional field certification subject area are specified in greater detail in the "General Information" section of this Bulletin.

    Additional field certification students who complete required content, pedagogy, and practicum course work and who already hold a Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II certificate must submit passing scores on the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination.

    Individuals who possess an Instructional II certificate and who complete requirements for an additional certification area will receive Instructional II certification in the additional certification area.


  • Instructional I and II Certificates
    The Instructional I, or provisional, certificate is issued to applicants who:

    (1) possess a baccalaureate degree;
    (2) have successfully completed a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved teacher certification program;
    (3) pass the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination (NTE); and
    (4) are recommended for certification by the college or university offering the PDE approved teacher certification program.

    An Instructional I certificate is valid for six years.

    The Instructional II, or permanent, certificate is issued to applicants who have completed all of the following:

    (1) a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved induction program for beginning teachers;

    (2) three years of satisfactory teaching in the field specified on an Instructional I certificate, attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or non-public school in Pennsylvania in which the most recent service of the applicant was performed; and

    (3) 24 credit hours of collegiate study or in-service courses approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (Credits earned beyond the baccalaureate degree in teacher education study at the University of Pittsburgh may be used to satisfy this requirement.)

    Applicants already holding the Instructional I certificate who are seeking admission to the School of Education in pursuit of Instructional II certification may be admitted under special graduate status. Applicants desiring to combine Instructional II certification with a master's or doctoral degree must apply for admission to an academic program offering the desired degree.


  • Admissions Deadlines and Requirements
    Application deadlines for the School of Education are February 1 for the summer and fall terms and November 15 for the spring term. However, applicants for the Professional Year Option should be aware that admission is for the fall term only, and for those students, the review cycle for applications is between February 1 and March 15. Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching option is for the summer term only.

    Applications for admission are available in the Office of Student Personnel Services in the School of Education and in the department to which you are applying. The applicant for admission for teacher education must submit:

    (1) the completed application form;
    (2) the non-refundable application fee;
    (3) official transcripts of work done in all previous undergraduate study (a minimum QPA of 2.50 overall on a 4.00 scale and 2.70 in the undergraduate major subject is required. Additionally, students who have not completed baccalaureate degrees at the time of application for admission must submit an undergraduate Plan of Studies to indicate that all prerequisite courses will be fulfilled prior to beginning the professional year);
    (4) evidence of successful completion of distribution requirements in a liberal arts and sciences academic major field;
    (5) evidence of competence in basic communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics) as determined by the department;
    (6) a written statement of career goals and degree objectives;
    (7) scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)* for all applicants whose native language is not English and/or who have not finished academic degree requirements in an accredited US college or university; and
    (8) three written academic and/or professional recommendations.

    *A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is normally considered acceptable for full admission status. In some exceptional cases where TOEFL scores are less than 550, students may be admitted with provisional status, must take the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency upon arrival, and may be required to complete English language classes on campus in the English Language Institute. International students may be accepted for teacher education study; however, they are only eligible to receive Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional I certificates if they declare their intention to become US citizens or if they are bona fide exchange teachers or teachers of foreign language.

    Each applicant must also fulfill the additional unique requirements of the particular program to which application is being made, such as personal interviews and ratings of performance in teaching-related experiences.

    Faculty members in the program evaluate each applicant's academic and appropriate work experience credentials and recommend am admissions decision. Also taken into consideration are the student's career plans in the teaching profession; the needs of the profession, including special needs for minority group members; the student's effective participation in preprofessional activities such as tutoring, assisting teachers, and work in community and social agencies; and indications of superior performance during baccalaureate degree work as shown by course work, recommendations from instructors, and other performance indicators. Membership in undergraduate student organizations within the School of Education, such as Future Educators and PSEA, is strongly recommended.

    Applicants are notified of acceptance of admission for a specific term, usually fall term or summer term. Should applicants be unable to register for courses for the term specified in their acceptance letter, they should notify their assigned adviser as soon as possible. Applicants are eligible to register up to and including the term following the completion of one year from the term of acceptance. Applicants unable to register for courses within one year plus one term of the term specified in their acceptance letter from the School of Education must reapply for admission.


  • Prerequisite Course Work
    Admission for teacher education study requires that the applicant have completed liberal studies distributional requirements in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as course work in an academic major field or content area. Additionally, applicants are expected to have completed a minimum of nine credits in preprofessional education courses (i.e., courses emphasizing human development and learning, the study of schools and society, and an introduction-to-teaching seminar in the intended certification area). The number of credits and specific courses required in each of these areas vary by type of certification sought and are outlined in the "General Information" section of this Bulletin.

    The prerequisite requirement insures that initial teacher certification candidates have acquired a solid background in an academic discipline prior to focusing their teacher education study on preparing for a professional career in teaching.


  • Admission Status
    Applicants are admitted for teacher education study in the Department of Instruction and Learning with "full" or "provisional" status depending on their qualifications.

    Full Status. For admission with full status, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited college and must be judged by the department and the School to be prepared for teacher education study. Students who complete certification work must reapply for admission if they intend to pursue additional degree or certification work.

    Provisional Status. Applicants who are graduates of an accredited college but who do not qualify for admission to full status may be considered for provisional status. Admission acceptance letters will specify both the deficiencies and the time period in which they are to be removed. Applicants with credential deficiencies will be notified by their department admission committee members of the need for specific credentials. Courses taken to remove deficiencies do not contribute toward completion of teacher education study.

    Students may not be awarded certification or degrees while under provisional status. Transfer from provisional to full status is initiated by the student and recommended by the department and is possible only after the removal of the deficiencies noted at the time of admission.


  • Classification of Students
    Full-time or Part-time Status: Teacher education students who register for nine or more credits in a single term are considered full-time students. Students who register for fewer than nine credits are considered part-time students. The School of Education, mindful of its educational responsibilities to the community, offers comprehensive programs for full- and part-time students. Many of the teacher education methods courses are offered in the evening, thereby enabling students to maintain full-time day employment while completing their course work during the evening. However, students must attend full time in the day during the student teaching practicum term. In addition, periodic daytime attendance is required for the teaching laboratory and field site practicum required prior to student teaching. Admissions procedures for part-time students are the same as those for full-time students.


  • Fees
    Students enrolled for teacher education study in the School of Education are charged graduate fees.


  • Teacher Education General Regulations
  • Maximum Credit Load
    All teacher education students who register for 9 to 15 credits per term will be considered full-time and, during the fall and spring terms, will be assessed full-time graduate tuition relative to their residency status. All credits over 15 for teacher education students will be billed over and above the full-time tuition rate at the prevailing per-credit tuition charge. No student is allowed to register for more than 15 teacher education credits without recommendation by the student's adviser and permission of the Dean/Associate Dean. Such permission will be given selectively after a review of the student's record when the planned course work suggests that such an overload is academically justifiable in the specific instance. No admission forms or subsequent add/drop requests totaling over 15 teacher education credits will be accepted without special written permission and appropriate payment for the additional credit hours.


  • Quality Point Average
    All students enrolled for teacher education study are required to maintain a quality point average (QPA) of at least 3.00. The cumulative QPA is based on all course work taken after enrollment for teacher education study. A student is automatically placed on academic probation when the cumulative QPA, exclusive of transfer credits, falls below 3.00. A student on academic probation is not permitted to participate in the advanced, intern, or student teaching practicum. Although the credits allowed for acceptable work completed elsewhere by transfer students count toward the total number of credits required for teacher education study, the grades earned in such courses are not included in QPA computations, except in determining QPAs required for admission to the School of Education.


  • Credit Requirements
    Teacher education study in the Professional Year Option normally requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 credits of course work approved by the department and the School. The Master of Arts in Teaching option requires 45-48 credits. Credit requirements for other certification options vary and are outlined in the "General Information" section of this Bulletin. Certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is recommended only for those students who have satisfactorily completed all courses required for certification with at least a 3.00 QPA.


  • Teacher Certification Testing Program
    The PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination core battery, required for all students seeking their first Instructional I certificate, consists of a series of examinations to assess basic communication skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge, and specialized area knowledge. Persons already holding a Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate are exempt from the core battery tests. Individuals seeking Instructional I certification in more than one area must take and pass specialization area tests in all areas in which certification is sought. Individuals seeking additional field certification must pass the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination test in the specialization area.

    Students may take the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination tests at any point during or after attendance at a post-secondary institution. The tests are administered four times each year at the University of Pittsburgh.


  • Early Field Experiences
    Early field experiences in schools are provided for undergraduates and first-semester professional-year students in connection with several courses. These experiences are made possible through the cooperation of the public and private schools of Pittsburgh and suburban school districts in the Pittsburgh area. Options include a variety of case study, observation, tutoring, and practicum situations. Upon completion of specialized theory, methods, and practicum courses in the certification area, the student participates in a full-time student teaching practicum.


  • Student Teaching
    In most programs, student teaching is a full-time school-based apprentice teaching experience offered only during the spring term. Students must file an application for student teaching in the Office of Teacher Education, 4H01 Forbes Quadrangle, during the semester prior to student teaching. Applicants must also submit results from a tuberculin test, child abuse clearance, and criminal history check, as required by Pennsylvania Act 34. Liability insurance coverage is strongly recommended for student teachers. Student teaching usually begins in early January and sometimes sooner than the opening day of University classes. Specific procedures and regulations governing student teaching practica can be found in the student teaching handbook, available in the Office of Teacher Education.


  • Intern Teaching
    Students in the Master of Arts in Teaching option must complete a nine-month teaching internship in lieu of student teaching. The internship requires a minimum of 20 hours per week at an assigned school site, beginning in late August or early September and ending in late May or early June. To qualify for the internship and the Pennsylvania Teacher Intern certificate, applicants must: (a) pass the Communication Skills test of the Core Battery, the General Knowledge test of the Core Battery, and any specialty area tests of the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination; (b) take part in the interview and selection process of the school district where intern positions are available; (c) apply for the actual Intern Certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education; and (d) pass a medical examination, tuberculin test, child abuse clearance, and criminal history check. Liability insurance coverage is also recommended for interns. Specific procedures and regulations governing intern teaching can be found in the intern teaching handbook, available in the Office of Teacher Education, 4H01 Forbes Quadrangle.


  • Advanced Teaching Practicum
    Students in the additional field certification option must complete an advanced teaching practicum, which usually lasts from three to six weeks depending upon the applicant's background knowledge and professional experience. Students must file an application for advanced teaching practicum in the Office of Teacher Education during the semester prior to the practicum. Depending upon regulations of the school district where the practicum takes place, applicants who possess a Pennsylvania teaching certificate may not be required to pass the medical exam, tuberculin test, child abuse clearance, or criminal history check. Specific guidelines governing advanced teaching practicum are available in the Office of Teacher Education.


  • Application for Certification
    Applications for Pennsylvania Instructional I certification are obtainable in the Office of Student Personnel Services. Completed applications must be filed in the Office of Teacher Education, 4H01 Forbes Quadrangle, by the announced deadline during the term in which students expect to complete certification requirements. Upon the successful completion of all certification requirements, the application will be endorsed by the Dean/Associate Dean and forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Education requesting issuance of an Instructional I certificate.

    It is the student's responsibility to obtain, complete, and submit the application for certification before the announced deadline. A portion of the form must be completed by a licensed physician attesting to the applicant's mental and physical health. Additional field certification applicants must also submit a copy of their previous certificates. Incomplete applications and forms accompanied by payment other than a US postal money order will be returned to the student.

    Along with the application for certification, the student must submit a copy of the approved Plan of Studies and results of the PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination. Applications from students on "provisional" status will not be endorsed. Students who do not apply for certification immediately upon completion of teacher education study will be required to meet institutional, state, and PRAXIS/National Teachers Examination requirements in effect when they eventually file application.




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