Discover your Path in Philadelphia Education!

The Pathways tool will help you navigate the process to become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania — no matter where you’re starting from. Find out what you need to make an impact as a Philadelphia educator.

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Are you a teacher?

I am a Teacher I want to be a Teacher
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What is your level of education?

I am a High School Student I have a HS diploma, GED, or equivalent I have a Bachelor's degree or higher
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Pathways to Teaching

How do you want to enter the classroom?

I want to learn before I teach Traditional Certification
I want to work while I learn to teach Residency Programs
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You'll Need a Bachelor's Degree and Certification

Bachelor's Programs Alternative Undergraduate Programs Undergrad Resources and Opportunities Continue to next step
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You can explore a career in teaching during high school before you get your Bachelor’s and teaching certification.

Pre-College Programs Teaching Experiences & Exposure Opportunities Continue to next step
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Traditional Certification

These universities below are all located in or around Philadelphia and offer teacher certification and master’s level programs that will prepare you to become an educator. Most of these are designed as two-year programs that include coursework, placement in schools for student teaching experiences, and preparation for the Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements. Learn more about each program by clicking on its box.

Arcadia University Chestnut Hill College Drexel University Eastern University Holy Family University La Salle University Lehigh University Neumann University Penn State - Abington Rosemont College St. Joseph's University Temple University University of Pennsylvania Villanova University West Chester University Widener University

Do you know of a graduate program in Education that serves Philadelphia and is not on this list? Let us know!

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Residency Programs

Residency programs are intensive training programs designed to prepare future teachers to work in Philadelphia classrooms while earning their teaching certification (and often a Master’s degree) at often reduced tuition rates and receiving salary and benefits. All teacher residents work alongside an experienced mentor teacher for a full academic year while taking closely-aligned coursework.

Offered by Area Schools:

Boys Latin(Partnered with CBED and Drexel) KIPP Liberty
Teaching Fellowship(Partnered with Relay GSE and UTR at Penn) Mastery Teaching Residency(Partnered with City Teaching Alliance or Relay GSE) Freire Schools(Partnered with Relay/GSE) School District of
Philadelphia Teacher Residency(Partnered with Drexel, Relay GSE, Temple and City Teaching Alliance) String Theory School(through Temple Teacher Residency or Relay/GSE)

Offered by Area Educator Preparation Programs:

City Teaching Alliance Drexel Philadelphia
Teacher Residency Relay GSE
Teaching Residency Temple Teacher Residency Urban Teaching Residency at Penn

This list includes graduate level residency programs focused in Philadelphia. Know of a program not on our list? Let us know!

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Full-Time Teacher

The alternative routes below get you into the classroom right away. To be a full time teacher of record immediately you must be eligible for an Emergency Permit or a Teacher Intern Certification. Learn more about these alternative routes below.

Certification Pathways:

Teach For America Relay GSE Alt Cert PA-Approved
Alt Cert Programs Urban Teaching
Residency at Penn American Board
Teacher Cert Program

Other Alternative Options:

Must be offered a full-time teaching position to qualify. For opportunities, go to find a job.

Emergency Permit Teacher Intern
Certification Program

Pathways for Non-PA Certified Teachers:

Teachers with administrative, supervisory, or superintendent credentials Application for teacher reciprocity through NASDTEC Interstate Agreement Teachers with valid NBPTS or NASPC credentials Foreign Educated Teacher Certification
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Pre-Certification Teaching Opportunities

Below are opportunities for you to experience the teaching field before you decide to pursue certification. These include two AmeriCorps Programs in Philadelphia: City Year, where you can serve as a success coach, a tutor, and a mentor, and Joyful Readers, where you can serve as a reading tutor. Or you can serve as a Teacher Apprentice at one of two area charter schools. Learn more about these opportunities by selecting one of these options.

City Year Philadelphia Teacher Apprentice: Boys Latin Teacher Apprentice: Wissahickon CS Joyful Readers Teach for America Ignite Fellowship Freedom Schools Literacy Academy SDP Para Pathway Program
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Bachelor's Degree with Certification

The local universities below have undergraduate programs that equip you to earn a bachelor's degree and teaching credential. On this pathway, you will get clinical experience, take certification tests and apply for certification as part of the program. Learn more about each school, like their tuition and financial aid, by selecting one.

Arcadia University Bryn Mawr/Haverford Chestnut Hill College Cheyney University Drexel University Eastern University Gwynedd Mercy Univ Holy Family University La Salle University Neumann University Penn State - Abington Rosemont College St. Joseph's University Swarthmore College Temple University Villanova University West Chester University Widener University

This list includes undergraduate programs in the greater Philadelphia area where you can earn certification with a bachelor's degree. Know of a program that's not on our list? Let us know!

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Alternative Undergraduate Programs

The resources below support undergraduate students in colleges across Philadelphia. Learn more about each resource by selecting one.

Associate in Arts Degree at CCP: Enrolling in and completing an associate's program, such as CCP’s Educator Pathway Program, earns you an associate's degree which can open up some employment opportunities in schools. You can build on this credential and use the knowledge and credits you earn when you apply to a four-year college with the goal of completing a bachelor's degree. Through this pathway, you will be "transferring in" to the four-year college on your way to your bachelor's degree and teaching certification. Learn more about the PA-TRAC transfer process as you make your decisions.

Visit CCP

Paraprofessionals - College Unbound: You can earn a Bachelor's degree by enrolling in College Unbound. This two-year program is for District paraprofessionals who have at least 60 college credits and confers a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change

Visit College Unbound

Know of a program that's not on our list? Let us know!

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Undergrad Resources and Opportunities

College students who are considering a teaching career but not necessarily majoring in education can gain hands-on experience and support through one of these programs.

City Year Philadelphia: This AmeriCorps program gives you an opportunity to serve as a success coach, tutor, and mentor in Philadelphia schools while getting paid. City Year Corps Members must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Visit City Year Philadelphia

Freedom Schools Literacy Academy: Serve as a Servant Leader Apprentice (SLA) or a Junior Servant Leader Apprentice for the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy. Run by the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), the Academy provides after school programming and summer programs, many hosted by Mastery Schools. (Important Note: SLAs and JSLAs are eligible for CBED’s Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship, which provides coaching and “last dollar” scholarship funding to individuals pursuing an education degree and teacher certification.)

Visit FSLA

Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship: If you are a college student participating in the Teaching Academy or the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy of the Center for Black Educator Development, you are eligible for this Fellowship, which provides academic support, professional coaching, scholarships, and additional benefits.

Visit Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship

The Octavius Catto Scholarship at Community College of Philadelphia: If you are considering Community College of Philadelphia as a full-time student and meet the scholarship’s income guidelines, you might be eligible for the Catto Scholarship at CCP. Catto Scholars have access to funds for tuition and other expenses, coaching, and connections to non-academic support services.

Visit Octavius Catto Scholarship

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia: Breakthrough offers college students a hands-on teaching experience at the middle school level over a summer or an entire school year.

Visit Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia

SDP Para Pathway: The School District of Philadelphia’s Para Pathway Program offers paraprofessionals who meet eligibility requirements an opportunity to attain a bachelor’s degree with tuition assistance while working full-time.

Visit SDP Para Pathway Program

Know of a resource or opportunity that's not on our list? Let us know!

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Pre-College Programs

There are programs available to high school students that can help you get started on your pathway to becoming a teacher. Click below to explore each program and what they have to offer, including college credit, paid opportunities, or financial aid.

Temple Learning to Learn
(and Teach) program Temple Education Scholars CCP Advance College Experience La Salle Community Scholars
(Dual Enrollment) West Chester University Dual Enrollment Arcadia University SAJE Fellowship

Know of a program that's not on our list? Let us know!

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Teaching Experiences &
Exposure Opportunities

These organizations provide high school students with teaching experiences. Learn more about each experience by selecting one.

Freedom Schools Literacy Academy: The Center for Black Educator Development hosts an eight-week summer pre-apprenticeship program for aspiring high school and college-aged educators. In FSLA, you will have an opportunity to help younger people of African descent develop their literacy skills while you benefit from professional development, observations, and coaching.

Visit FSLA

CTE at SLA Beeber: As an SLA Beeber student you can start taking courses that put you on a path to becoming a teacher while you are still in high school. The program starts in 11th grade, and includes dual enrollment college credit.

Visit SLA Beeber

College Programs for High School Students: If you are a School District of Philadelphia high school student, Cheyney University’s Aspire to Educate program and Temple University’s Education Scholars program provide you with fee-free exposure to teaching careers. Both programs run the entire duration of the school year. Temple University has several one-to-four week programs that run during the school year and in the summer. These programs provide opportunities for you to learn about how you yourself learn, and how you can teach others.

Visit Cheyney University’s Aspire to Educate Visit Temple University’s Education Scholars Visit Temple University’s Pre-College Programs

WorkReady Philadelphia: If you are 14 years old or older, you can find internships, job opportunities, and career workshops through WorkReady Philadelphia. Education and Childcare participating organizations include: Asian Americans United, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, CORA Services, Concilio, and Somerset Academy Learning Center.

Visit WorkReady Philadelphia

Know of a program that's not on our list? Let us know!

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Get Certified!

In order to be certified in PA you must pass certification testing and apply for certification on TIMS

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  • Certification Testing

    Pennsylvania requires assessment of candidates in basic skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge and subject area knowledge before a certificate may be issued.

    Learn More >
  • TIMS

    TIMS is a one-stop shop for educators to submit a certification application and update contact information, among other services.

    Learn More >
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Are you a certified teacher?

Certified means you have a valid instructional certificate in the grade level and subject area you want to teach from any state department of education.

I'm Certified I'm not Certified
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Are you a certified teacher in Pennsylvania or out-of-state?

Certified in PA means you have a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate in the respective grade level, and endorsements in respective subject area

Certified in PA Certified Out of PA
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Do you have a Level 1 or Level 2 Certification?

You can look up your certificate information in TIMS

Level 1 Level 2
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You can teach while your certification is being processed

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Get Certified in PA

In order to be certified in PA you must submit required documentation, pass certification testing, and apply for certification on TIMS. (Some exceptions apply.) Select the route that best applies to you to learn more about how to apply for certification in PA.

National Board Credential Professional Level Out-of-State Certification Approved Out-of-State Preparation Program Other Out-of-State Circumstances More Info on Testing & TIMS

You can teach while your certification is being processed

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Stay on track to complete all steps to Get Certified in PA

Continue to Level 1

Get a Job in PA

Teach while transferring your out-of-state certification to PA

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A Pennsylvania public school entity (LEA) can request an Emergency Permit from the PDE. You cannot apply for an emergency permit yourself. You must be hired by a public school in PA.

More Info on Emergency Permits

Stay on track to complete all steps to Get Certified in PA

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Level 1 Certification

Congrats! What's next?

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Keep Your Certificate Valid and Active

How to pursue Level 2 Continuing Education (Act 48)

More Learning

Additional Certifications Find Events Continue to Level 2
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Level 2 Certification

Congrats! You can teach with a Level 2 Certificate!
Remember to keep your certificate active.

Find a Job Continuing Education (Act 48) Additional Certifications Find Events
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