State hub
How to become a teacher in Pennsylvania
Steps drawn from the state's data
- Apply to Pennsylvania Department of Education for an initial credential.
- Career changers can use one of 2 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.
Teacher preparation providers in Pennsylvania
| Provider | Program types | Enrollment | Completers |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABCTE - Pennsylvania (Title 2 Only) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 379 | 131 |
| Albright College | Traditional | 95 | 47 |
| Alvernia University | Traditional | 74 | 22 |
| Arcadia University | Traditional | 220 | 52 |
| Bryn Athyn College | Traditional | 15 | 10 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Traditional | 0 | 0 |
| Bucknell University | Traditional | 24 | 13 |
| Cairn University | Traditional | 81 | 22 |
| Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 | Alternative, not IHE-based | 5 | 0 |
| Carlow University | Traditional | 136 | 45 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 4 | 1 |
| Cedar Crest College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 51 | 17 |
| Chatham University | Traditional | 41 | 8 |
| Chestnut Hill College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 324 | 98 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | Traditional | 77 | 27 |
| City Teaching Alliance-Philadelphia | Alternative, not IHE-based | 35 | 0 |
| Commonwealth University | Traditional | 838 | 293 |
| De Sales University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 141 | 60 |
| Delaware Valley University | Traditional | 49 | 14 |
| Drexel University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 246 | 63 |
| Duquesne University | Traditional | 406 | 107 |
| East Stroudsburg University of PA | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 335 | 159 |
| Eastern University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 758 | 162 |
| Elizabethtown College | Traditional | 171 | 36 |
| Gannon University | Traditional | 61 | 27 |
| Geneva College | Traditional | 45 | 23 |
| Gettysburg College | Traditional | 19 | 16 |
| Grove City College | Traditional | 154 | 50 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 212 | 68 |
| Holy Family University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 263 | 73 |
| Immaculata University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 183 | 55 |
| Indiana University of PA | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 971 | 207 |
| Inter Philadelphia Education Center | Traditional | 8 | 0 |
| Juniata College | Traditional | 51 | 16 |
| Keystone College | Traditional | 92 | 25 |
| Kings College | Traditional | 64 | 25 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 990 | 306 |
| La Roche University | Traditional | 47 | 19 |
| La Salle University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 112 | 70 |
| Lancaster Bible College | Traditional | 97 | 39 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Traditional | 181 | 97 |
| Lehigh University | Traditional | 59 | 20 |
| Lincoln University of Pennsylvania | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 81 | 22 |
| Lycoming College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 74 | 20 |
| Marywood University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 720 | 92 |
| Mercyhurst University | Traditional | 225 | 49 |
| Messiah University | Traditional | 347 | 85 |
| Millersville State University of Pennsylvania | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 551 | 212 |
| Misericordia University | Traditional | 99 | 26 |
| Moore College of Art & Design | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 40 | 7 |
About teacher preparation in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) monitors Commonwealth-approved educator preparation programs under the authority of the Pennsylvania Code (22 Pa. Code § 49 and § 354). Information on the PDE website provides program providers and alternative preparation providers with the required program framework guidelines to which every certification program in the Commonwealth must adhere, as well as guidance regarding the program review and submittal process.
In April 2022, the final form amendments to Chapter 49 (relating to Certification of Professional Personnel) of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code became effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The provision in 22 Pa. Code 49.14(4)(i) required the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to identify competencies and develop associated standards for educator training in Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (now called Cultural Awareness), Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy.
The amendments to Chapter 49 required instruction in Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy to be integrated in education preparation, induction, and continuing professional development programs as follows:
Continuing professional development programs must integrate Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy (Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8, Special Education PK-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, and English as a Second Language (ESL)) competencies no later than the 2023-24 academic year.
Educator preparation and induction programs must integrate Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy (Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8, Special Education PK-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, and English as a Second Language (ESL)) competencies no later than the 2024-2025 academic year.
PDE developed Structured Literacy Guidelines in October 2022 and in October 2023, PDE updated the Professional Ethics Competencies to reflect the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), 2nd edition, which was adopted by the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission.
Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment Moratorium
Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022, through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make an application during this period. As of July 1, 2025, Act 55 of 2024 permanently removed the basic skills prerequisite for individuals entering preparation programs.
Post-baccalaureate Certification Programs
As a result of the passage of Act 24 of June 2011, the Secretary of Education has powers and duties with regard to post-baccalaureate certification programs, including evaluating and approving qualified providers of post-baccalaureate certification programs, which may include providers other than IHEs, and ensuring that the approval process designed for program providers which are not IHEs enables high-quality, nontraditional program providers to seek and gain approval. Providers other than degree granting education providers can offer post-baccalaureate certificate programs after undergoing the PDE application and approval process.
Teacher intern certification programs provide an alternate route to certification through an approved Pennsylvania education program provider (EPP). With the aim of decreasing the time for EPPs to develop and deliver new teacher intern certification programs, in March 2024, PDE created the new Intern Certificate Assurance Forms. To utilize the new Assurance Forms, EPPs must have an approved and operating traditional post-baccalaureate program (this includes master’s and doctoral programs) in the content area and grade levels of the intended new intern certification program.