Go to information for Education for more details.
Department Contact:
Director: Dr. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068
Program Description:
The post-baccalaureate teacher certification program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and seek to qualify for Pennsylvania state teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 7-12).
Accreditation Statement:
Saint Francis University programs that lead to teaching certification have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Certification Areas:
The Graduate Education department offers six content-specific areas of study in cooperation with the content area departments. Each leads to its own certification with required courses and Praxis exams:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
An applicant for teaching certificate must complete, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of teacher preparation approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Certification programs offered by Saint Francis University are in compliance with requirements of the PDE.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the candidate will be recommended by Saint Francis University through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) for Level I teaching certification.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that individuals seeking an Instructional I certificate pass a series of licensing exams known as Praxis and/or PECT. Students are responsible for all examination costs.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Content and Pedagogical Knowledge: Pre-service teachers will acquire knowledge of teaching content and pedagogy including understanding and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice, teaching standards, varying forms of assessment, differentiated instruction, technology integration, state and federal mandates, behavior management, and implementation of best practices.
Clinical Competence: Pre-service teachers will possess the ability to provide effective instruction to a diverse population of students. Students within the professional program will utilize assessment and observation to guide instructional practices. Graduates will possess the necessary content knowledge as well as clinical reasoning and problem solving abilities to provide appropriate instruction for all learners in an educational environment conducive of learning.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Pre-service teachers will possess interpersonal and communication skills including verbal, nonverbal, and written forms that result in effective information exchange with students, parents, administration, and colleagues.
Professionalism: Graduates will demonstrate effective academic and professional skills, attributes, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to function as a practicing educator. Program completers will demonstrate qualities and characteristics as defined by the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) for recommendation for Level I teaching certification.
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 2+ years of part-time study
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must provide the following:
- Online Application
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. If candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits. The student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine credits to be admitted to the program. If these requirements are not met the student will not be admitted to the program.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed.
Admission Deadline:
The program has rolling admission.
Technical Standards or Essential Functions:
Saint Francis University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits or services, programs or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination by the University as required by the Americans with Disability Act. The Education Department adheres to the policies for academic accommodations as determined by the Center for Academic Success. The Center’s Office of Disability Services assists eligible students in receiving basic services as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate academic accommodations for students who experience physical or mental disabilities. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation to the accessibility coordinator upon request of the accommodatio
Progression and/or Retention Criteria:
- Students must complete their degrees within five (5) years of their initial enrollment.
- A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.
- Students must complete required clinical observations for each of the courses requiring clinical hours.
- Student must successfully complete the student teaching in the content area.
- Successful completion of required Praxis tests.
Other information to include, related to this program:
Field experiences are off-campus activities that provide opportunities to apply theories and concepts studied in the classroom. These mandatory experiences are directed by University faculty, facilitated by teacher mentors, and are an integral part of all education courses leading up to student teaching. Activities include, but are not limited to, observing, tutoring, lesson planning, and developing instructional materials. Field experiences may take place in public or non-public schools, or in community agencies approved by University faculty.
Total Credits Required:
- Biology, post-baccalaureate teacher certification = 97 credits
- Chemistry, post-baccalaureate teacher certification = 90 credits
- English, post-baccalaureate teacher certification = 78 credits
- Mathematics, post-baccalaureate teacher certification = 84 credits
- Social Studies, post-baccalaureate teacher certification = 99 credits