Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certificate: Secondary Education

Certificate Level: Graduate
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 30.0
Instructional Delivery: Online, Campus
Calendar Type: Quarter
Expected Time to Completion: 2 years
Financial Aid Eligibility: Aid eligible*
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 13.1205
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 25-2031

*The current plan of study for this program would only allow for federal financial aid (including Federal Direct Student Loans) for terms that are at least a minimum of 4.5 credits for graduate courses and 6.0 credits for undergraduate courses. This is based on current regulations from the U.S. Department of Education.

About the Program

These certificate programs are designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and who seek to qualify for Pennsylvania teacher certification at the secondary level. The curriculum is designed for many populations, including those who are changing careers, who already serve as temporary, emergency, or substitute teachers, and who wish to earn a formal teaching credential. Students completing the certification program have the option to continue coursework to earn the MS in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum degree. All graduate credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward the MS in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum.

The program will prepare students for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate.

Program Learning Objectives

• Professionalism: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
  • Make ethical, sound decisions based on Pennsylvania Professional Code of Conduct
  • Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, school community, and profession that is focused on positive and innovative change
  • Seek ongoing professional growth and development in the field to improve practice
  • Demonstrate a growth mindset and take responsibility for student learning and academic growth
  • Partner with parents in the education of their children

• Diversity: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
  • Use culturally responsive pedagogy to create equitable learning experiences for all students
  • Use critical self-reflection to understand one's own identity in the context of a classroom of diverse learners
  • Create an inclusive classroom environment with high expectations for all learners

• Reflective Practice: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to
  • Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on their professional practice
  • Use data and classroom-based evidence to inform and improve professional practice
• Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
  • Demonstrate strong content knowledge in all subject areas that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with NAEYC standards and program outcomes
  • Deliver effective, developmentally informed instruction that is culturally and linguistically sensitive to the children in the class
  • Use appropriate means of ongoing assessment that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the unique capabilities of young children, and utilize assessment information to make appropriate modifications to the curriculum that will demonstrate children's progress and ensure optimal learning opportunities for all children
  • Integrate tools of technology in teaching and learning that are appropriate for the developmental levels of children and that expand, enrich, implement, individualize, differentiate, and extend the overall curriculum 
  • Construct well-written, research-based, developmentally appropriate lesson plans that reflect active teaching and learning
• Classroom Climate: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
  • Create a safe, positive, and productive learning environment that supports and facilitates learning for all students
  • Build a sense of community in a collaborative climate based on developmentally appropriate prosocial skills where students work collaboratively and have a shared sense of ownership
• Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Upon completion of the program, the teacher candidate is able to:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of child and/or adolescent development and the learning sciences
  • Use differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of one's students
  • Use developmentally informed teaching practices

For students intending to teach outside of Pennsylvania, through operation of interstate reciprocity agreements, a Pennsylvania teaching certificate may be converted to the analogous teaching certificate in another state. Prospective students are recommended to contact their state's Department of Education to determine the requirements and procedures before proceeding.

Pennsylvania Certification Areas

Drexel University's Pennsylvania Department of Education approved programs certify students who already hold bachelor's degrees to be teachers in Secondary Education (7-12):

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and space science
• English
• General science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Social studies

Additional content area coursework (or equivalent) may be required and is determined by departmental review at the time of application. 

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components.

Additional Information

More information is available at the School of Education's website.

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in all courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Program Requirements

Sample Plan of Study

*

Field Experience required

**

12-week full-time student teaching experience