Discover your Path in Philadelphia Education!

The purpose of Pathways is to help you navigate through the process for becoming a certified teacher in Pennsylvania. There are many different paths you can follow to get certified, and you can choose the path that best suits you. All paths have a variation of the five essential steps listed below, but there might be different requirements to reach a step. Now, let us help you...

FIND YOUR PATH

Get a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Get a Bachelor's degree

Complete a Certification Program

Pass Certification Testing

Apply for Certificate

If you have questions regarding the certification process, contact the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.

Your Pathway to Teaching

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 Graduate School

I want to learn while I teach Residency Program

I am prepared to teach now Full Time Lead Teacher

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Graduate School Programs

The local graduate schools below are a traditional route to teaching that generally have a coursework focus with some student teaching. Most of these are two-year programs where you can earn a masters in education and a teaching credential. Learn more about each school, like tuition and financial aid, by selecting one.

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

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

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Residency Programs

Residency programs combine teaching alongside a mentor teacher and some coursework. Learn more about tuition & scholarships, stipends, university partners and school placements by selecting one below.

Drexel Philadelphia
Teacher Residency KIPP Liberty
Teaching Fellowship(Partnered with Relay GSE) Mastery Teaching Residency(Partnered with Relay GSE) Relay GSE
Teaching Residency School District of
Philadelphia Teacher Residency(Partnered with Drexel, Relay GSE, and Temple) Temple Teacher Residency U Penn Urban
Teacher Residency Woodrow Wilson
Teaching Fellowship(Partnered with Duquesne, U Penn, and West Chester) Urban Teachers Residency

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 Lead Teacher

The alternative routes below get you in 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.

PA Approved Providers:

American Board
Teacher Cert Program PHMC PK-4 Alt Cert Relay GSE Alt Cert Teach For America
(Partnered with Relay
GSE and U Penn) Full list of PA Approved
Alt Cert Programs

Other Alternative Options:

Emergency Permit Intern Certification Private or Catholic School

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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 Drexel University Eastern University Holy Family University La Salle University Neumann University Penn State - Abington St. Joseph's University Swarthmore University Temple University University of Pennsylvania 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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Undergraduate Resources

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

Campus Philly: A nonprofit organization that fuels economic growth by encouraging college students to study, explore, live and work in the Greater Philadelphia tri-state region.

Visit Campus Philly

Freedom School Literacy Academy (FSLA): The Center for Black Educator Development hosts an eight-week summer pre-apprenticeship program for aspiring high school and college-aged educators . In FSLA, participants will positively impact literacy development for young people of African descent during their foundational years, while receiving professional development, observations, and coaching.

Visit FSLA

Know of a program 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 Education Scholars Upward Bound - Temple University CCP Advance College Experience Johns Hopkins University
(Summer at Hopkins) Lasalle 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

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

WorkReady Philadelphia: WorkReady Philadelphia offers several job opportunities and career workshops for teens in Philadelphia. The program prepares students for their career field, providing them with internships at organizations and companies across the city. The WorkReady Summer Program includes internships in Education and Childcare fields with organizations such as: Asian Americans United, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, CORA Services, Concilio and Somerset Academy Learning Center.

Visit WorkReady Philadelphia

Generation Teach GT Virtual Academy: Generation Teach has a summer program that allows high school students to work with professional teachers and middle school students to create spaces where everyone can learn, grow and develop. Generation Teach’s Virtual Academy allows students from all over the nation to participate in their summer program. High School Students can obtain scholarships and stipends through the program as well.

Visit Generation Teach

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia: Breakthrough Philly holds a summer program each year where aspiring educators in High School and College can teach Middle School Students important skills for the next grade. The program offers stipends, and is in the local Philadelphia area.

Visit Breakthrough Philly

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, participants will positively impact literacy development for young people of African descent during their foundational years, while receiving professional development, observations, and coaching.

Visit FSLA

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

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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?

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 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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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

Continue to Learn How

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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

Start from the Beginning

TeachPHL

Discover your Path in Philadelphia Education!

Your Pathway to Teaching

Pathways to Teaching

You'll Need a Bachelor's Degree and Certification

You can explore a career in teaching during high school before you get your Bachelor’s and certification.

Graduate School Programs

Residency Programs

Full-Time Lead Teacher

PA Approved Providers:

Other Alternative Options:

Bachelor's Degree with Certification

Undergraduate Resources

Pre-College Programs

Teaching Experiences

Get Certified!

Are you a certified?

Are you a certified in Pennsylvania or out-of-state?

Do you have a Level 1 or Level 2 Certification?

Get Certified in PA

Get a Job in PA

Level 1 Certification

Level 2 Certification