Drexel offers a number of education certification and degree programs that prepare students for formal teacher certification. Once a student has successfully completed their undegraduate course of study and all qualifying teacher certification exams required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Drexel recommends the student to the PDE for the appropriate teaching certificate.

Teaching Certification GPA Requirements

The School of Education requires that students maintain at least a "B" average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to earning a grade of "B" or better in each core pedagogy course required for certification.

Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to obtain and submit updated and current copies of the required clearances to the School of Education annually in order to participate in classroom observations and student teaching in Pennsylvania. All full-time undergraduates will receive assistance in gaining these clearances during their first term. Non-PA students should contact their state's department of education or school district office for a list of clearances required in their state.

Teacher Certification Process

Instructional I Certification

This initial certification qualifies a teacher to teach for a maximum of six years. The six years need not be continuous. To continue teaching after the six years are completed, the teacher must receive an Instructional II Certification.

Instructional II Certification

The Instructional II Certification is considered a permanent certification. A teacher applying for Instructional II Certification must have:

• Instructional I Certification
• A minimum of three years and a maximum of six years of teaching experience on an Instructional I Teaching Certificate
• 24 semester-hour (or 36 quarter-hour) credits beyond a bachelor’ degree
• Completion of an induction program (generally provided by the teacher’ school of employment)

Elementary Certification (Grades PreK–4) and Special Education Certification (Grades PreK–8 and Grades 7–12)

The Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) are required for Grades PreK–4 and Special Education. All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students are required to pass the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills exam. In addition, students will be required to take the appropriate assessment exam for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Middle Level Certification (Grades 4–8) and Secondary Certification (Grades 7–12)

All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students seeking certification in middle (grades 4–8) or secondary (grades 7–12) levels are required to pass exams from the PA Education Certification Tests (PECT) and the Praxis II Series. Students must pass both the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills assessment exam and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge test for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Pennsylvania Act 48 Requirements

To maintain Instructional I and Instructional II Certifications, the PDE requires a teacher to complete one of the following every five years:

• Six semester-hour (or nine quarter-hour) credits. Credits must be acquired from an accredited, four-year, degree-granting college or university.
• 180 hours of professional development
• A combination of credits and professional development hours every five years.

Note: For those working to acquire Instructional II Certification, the 24 semester credits or 36 quarter credits needed to apply for Instructional II may also count toward Act 48 requirements.

Download the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Frequently Asked Questions about Act 48 [PDF].

Program Requirements

The Program in Curriculum and Teaching is designed for teachers, administrators, and other educators who: (1) have received formal professional preparation in preschool through grade twelve teaching at an accredited college or university, and/or; (2) hold, or are eligible to receive, teacher certification.

Students will have opportunities to become expert in such areas as curriculum development, school change and reform initiatives, action research and other school-based inquiry strategies, and will gain perspectives on teaching as complex intellectual activity. The overarching intention of the program is to assist educators who expect to exert leadership in their school settings and with their colleagues.

Any applicant seeking initial teacher certification should apply for the preservice, or initial certification, M.A. program in Early Childhood Education or Elementary/Inclusive Elementary Education.

Related Links

New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements for PROFESSIONAL teacher certification:

MA-CUED-Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)

Program Code: 27477

As a student in the Master of Arts: Curriculum and Teaching/Elementary Education --approved teacher preparation program, leading to a NYSED- Childhood Education  (Grades 1-6) --PROFESSIONAL teaching certificate you must first satisfactorily meet the following requirement prior to degree conferral and institutional recommendation:

Complete 3 Workshops and submit to the OTE:

• Child Abuse
• School Violence Prevention & Intervention
• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

Prior to insitutional recommendation you MUST hold a valid New York State (NYS)- Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) -INITIAL teaching certificate and present proof to the Office of Teacher Education (OTE).

NOTE: If you hold a NYS-Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)--INITIAL teaching certificate, then upon completion of your Teachers College approved teacher preparation program you are able to apply:

IMPORTANT: If, at the time of admission, you do not hold a valid New York State—Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)-INITIAL teaching certificate, you may have been admitted to the wrong program.  If this is your status, it is advisable that you consult this information with your academic program advisor to possibly process a program change to accommodate your NYSED-certification status to be institutionally recommended for.

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New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements for PROFESSIONAL teacher certification:

MA-CUSD-Secondary Education subject specific (Grades 7-12

Program Code: 29478

As a new student in the Master of Arts: CUSD-Curriculum and Teaching/Secondary Education –(CUSD) 32 credits approved teacher preparation program, leading to any of the following NYSED teaching certificate:

• English Language Arts (Grades )
• Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12
• Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
• Biology (Grades 7-12
• Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
• Physics (Grades 7-12)
• Earth Science (Grades 7-12)

NYSED-PROFESSIONAL teaching certificate type in any of the following title/grades level, you must first satisfactorily meet the following requirements prior to your degree conferral and institutional recommendation:

Complete 3 Workshops and submit to the OTE:

• Child Abuse
• School Violence Prevention & Intervention
• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

Hold a valid-(NYS) INITIAL teaching certificate type in the same title/ grades level as program admitted and submit to the Office of Teacher Education (OTE)-

• English Language Arts (Grades 7-12)
• Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12
• Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
• Biology (Grades 7-12
• Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
• Physics (Grades 7-12)
• Earth Science (Grades 7-12)

NOTE: If you hold any one of. the above listed NYS-teaching certificate title/grades level--INITIAL teaching certificate, then upon completion of your Teachers College approved teacher preparation program you are able to apply:

IMPORTANT: If, at the time of admission, you do not hold a matching valid New York State -INITIAL teaching certificate type in:

• English Language Arts (Grades )
• Mathematics Education (Grades 7-12
• Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
• Biology (Grades 7-12
• Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
• Physics (Grades 7-12)
• Earth Science (Grades 7-12)

Then, you may have been admitted to the wrong program.  If this is your status, it is advisable that you consult this information with your academic program advisor to possibly process a program change to accommodate your NYSED-certification status to be institutionally recommended for. 

NYSED-Verification of Work Experience Requirements

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program (PBTCP) is specifically designed to address the needs of two distinct populations:

• Experienced educators who want to become certified in another discipline; these individuals will have completed a baccalaureate degree and typically possess current teacher certification.
• Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree and whose life experiences have led them to seek initial teacher certification; this group may range from the novice student who has no background or experience in education to individuals who have a wealth of experience and/or are employed as teacher aides, tutors, paraprofessionals, or special education classroom teachers.

This program closely follows the undergraduate Educator Preparation model. It is composed almost exclusively of undergraduate courses. Through this program, students are able to meet New Hampshire competencies for certification in one or more of the following areas:

• Biology (grades 7-12)
• Chemistry (grades 7-12)
• Early Childhood Development (nursery-3)
• Earth Science (grades 7-12)
• Elementary Education (grades K-8)
• English (grades 5-12)
• French (grades K-12)
• General Science (grades 5-9)
• General Special Education (grades K-12)
• Middle/Junior High Mathematics (grades 5-8)
• Music Education (grades K-12)
• Physical Education (grades K-12)
• Physical Science (grades 7-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (grades 7-12)
• Spanish (grades K-12)
• Social Studies (grades 5-12)

Selection of a Content Area is required for admission. Prior to admission, it is strongly recommended that applicants have at least 100 hours of contact with children in a public school setting. This track requires an initial review of all post-secondary coursework. The Office of Educator Preparation and Graduate Studies coordinates the examination of official transcripts, relevant standardized test results and other application materials to develop an individualized educational plan that will address the KSC Educator Preparation Themes while meeting New Hampshire state standards for Teacher Certification. The educational plan will typically address certification competencies not met by the student's baccalaureate degree. Required courses will guide students toward the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to demonstrate competence in their selected area of certification and as a professional educator.

Extra academic preparation may be required for applicants whose baccalaureate degree is not closely related to the area of certification they are seeking. Prior to engagement in the Student Teaching experience, it is strongly recommended that a student have at least 500 hours of contact with children of various ages in different public school environments.

Candidates for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program must submit an Application for Graduate Study in Education, including required materials, to the Graduate Studies Office.

For additional information, refer to the Graduate Application.

Preference will be given to candidates who submit passing scores for the Praxis II content tests (typically: content knowledge and essay) as specified by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Praxis II tests are currently required for the following secondary certification areas:

• Biology (7 to 12)
• Chemistry (7 to 12)
• Earth/Space Science (7 to 12)
• English (5 to 12)
• French (K to 12)
• General Science (5 to 9)
• Middle/Junior High Math (5 to 8)
• Physics (7 to 12)
• Secondary Math (7 to 12)
• Spanish (K to 12)
• Social Studies (5 to 12)

Drexel​ ​University’s​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​post-baccalaureate​ ​and graduate​ teaching​ ​certification​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​prepare​ ​students​ to​ ​obtain​ ​their teacher​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​Pennsylvania​. Students in the MS in Teaching Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification program can earn PA Instructional I certification in elementary (prek-4), middle level (4-8) secondary (7-12), and secondary and special education dual certification.

Whether​ ​you​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​teacher​ ​in​ ​the​ ​state​ ​of​ ​Pennsylvania​ ​or broadening​ ​your​ ​knowledge​ ​to​ ​advance​ ​your​ ​career​ ​within​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​education, Drexel​ ​University’s​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​Track​ ​1​ ​graduate​ ​degree​ ​program​ ​equips teachers​ ​with​ ​the​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​succeed​ ​in​ ​K-12​ ​education​ ​or​ ​the​ ​workforce.

What ​Can ​You ​Do ​with ​a ​Master’s ​Degree Certification ​in ​Teaching, ​Learning, ​& ​Curriculum?

The​ ​MS​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​Curriculum:​ ​Teacher​ ​Certification​ ​prepares students​ ​academically​ ​and​ ​practically​ ​for​ ​careers​ ​in​ ​K–12​ ​teaching​ ​or​ ​other educational​ ​settings,​ ​including​ ​capabilities​ ​to:

• Demonstrate​ ​professional​ ​ethics​ ​and​ ​independent​ ​and​ ​creative​ ​teacher leadership
• Understand​ ​the​ ​changing​ ​role​ ​of​ ​teachers​ ​in​ ​increasingly​ ​diverse​ ​societies
• Demonstrate​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​academic​ ​background​ ​in​ ​all​ ​subject​ ​areas​ ​that​ ​meet PDE​ ​requirements​ ​including​ ​literacy,​ ​language​ ​and​ ​STEM​ ​areas
• Demonstrate​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​maintain​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​and​ ​democratic classroom​ ​climate​ ​for​ ​students
• Demonstrate​ ​a​ ​thorough​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​child​ ​development​ ​in​ ​their​ ​ability​ ​to develop​ ​and​ ​implement​ ​learning​ ​opportunities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​unique​ ​to​ ​every​ ​child

As​ ​a​ ​student​ ​nears​ ​program​ ​completion,​ ​Drexel’s​ ​Field​ ​Placement​ ​Office​ ​offers multiple​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​help​ ​prepare​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​resume​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​network, including​ ​interviewing​ ​and​ ​job​ ​placement​ ​opportunities.

​Master’s ​Degree ​in ​Teaching, ​Learning, ​& Curriculum ​- ​Program ​Options

The​ Master​ ​of​ ​Science​ ​(MS)​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​Curriculum​ ​(Track​ ​1) is​ ​offered:

• Online:​ Drexel​ ​online​ ​programs​ ​offer​ ​the​ ​same​ ​faculty,​ ​curricula​ ​and​ ​degrees as​ ​Drexel's​ ​distinguished​ ​on-campus​ ​programs.​ ​The​ ​online​ teaching certification​ program​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​offered​ ​on​ ​a​ ​part-time​ ​basis​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​more​ ​flexibility​ ​while​ ​working​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​a​ master’s​ ​in​ ​education​ ​with a​ ​teacher​ ​certification​.
  • Note​ ​that​ ​all​ ​coursework​ ​is​ ​online,​ ​but​ ​field​ ​experiences​ ​must​ ​be completed​ ​on​ ​site​ ​at​ ​an​ ​approved​ ​school​ ​district​ ​in​ ​your​ ​area.
• On​ ​site:​ ​Held​ ​at​ ​Drexel’s​ ​Main​ ​Campus​ ​in​ ​Philadelphia,​ ​PA—The​ ​on-campus master’s​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​teaching​ ​and​ ​teacher​ ​certification​ program​ ​is​ ​offered​ ​in​ ​the evenings​ ​on​ ​a​ ​full-​ ​or​ ​part-time​ ​basis​ ​in​ ​Philadelphia.

For​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​that​ ​already​ ​have​ ​a​ ​master’s​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in taking​ ​graduate-level​ ​courses,​ ​Pennsylvania​ ​state​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​obtaining​ ​your teaching​ ​certification​ ​includes​ ​a​ ​two-tiered​ ​certification​ ​system:​ Instructional​ ​I Certificate​ ​and​ Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certificate​.

Types ​of ​Teaching ​Certifications

Instructional​ ​I​ ​Certification

A​ ​candidate’s​ ​typical​ ​initial​ ​teaching​ ​certification​ ​is​ ​known​ ​as​ ​“Instructional​ ​I”.​ ​For graduate​ ​students​ ​considering​ ​a​ ​career​ ​change​ ​or​ ​to​ ​start​ ​a​ ​new​ ​career​ ​in​ ​the education​ ​field,​ ​the​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​Teaching​ ​Certification​ ​program​ ​would​ ​be​ ​the​ ​best graduate​ ​program​ ​option.​ ​This​ ​program​ ​would​ ​also​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​out-of-state​ ​graduate degree​ ​candidates​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​earn​ ​their​ ​initial​ ​certification​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​within​ ​the​ ​state​ ​of Pennsylvania.

The​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​certification,​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​master’s​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning &​ ​Curriculum​ ​program​ ​at​ ​Drexel​ ​University,​ ​qualifies​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​for​ ​a maximum​ ​of​ ​six​ ​years.​ ​Your​ ​master’s​ ​program​ ​advisor​ ​can​ ​help​ ​evaluate​ ​your incoming​ ​credentials​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​best​ ​plan​ ​of​ ​study​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​including​ ​whether you​ ​qualify​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​certification.

Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certification

The​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certification​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​“permanent”​ ​teaching​ ​certification.​ ​A teacher​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​advancing​ ​and​ ​applying​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​certification​ ​must have​ ​the​ ​following​ ​prerequisites:

• Instructional​ ​I​ ​Certification
• A​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​three​ ​years​ ​and​ ​a​ ​maximum​ ​of​ ​six​ ​years​ ​of​ ​teaching​ ​experience on​ ​an​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​Teaching​ ​Certificate
• 24​ ​semester-hour​ ​(or​ ​36​ ​quarter-hour)​ ​credits​ ​beyond​ ​a​ ​bachelor’s​ ​degree
• Completion​ ​of​ ​an​ ​induction​ ​program​ ​(generally​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​a​ ​teacher’s​ ​school of​ ​employment)

Once​ ​a​ ​student​ ​has​ ​successfully​ ​completed​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​study​ ​and​ ​all​ ​exams required​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Pennsylvania​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​(PDE),​ ​Drexel​ will recommend​ the​ ​student​ ​to​ ​the​ ​PDE​ ​for​ ​issuance​ ​of​ ​the​ ​appropriate​ ​teaching certificate.

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​regarding​ ​certification​ ​descriptions​ ​and​ ​requirements,​ ​students should​ ​visit​ ​the​ Drexel​ ​University​ ​Course​ ​Catalog.

MS ​in ​Teaching, ​Learning, ​and ​Curriculum Program ​Requirements

GPA​ ​Requirements

The​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​requires​ ​that​ ​students​ ​have​ ​a​ ​“B”​ ​average​ ​(3.0​ ​GPA)​ ​in content​ teaching​ ​certification​ ​courses​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​teacher​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​a grade​ ​of​ ​“B”​ ​or​ ​better​ ​in​ ​each​ ​core​ ​pedagogy​ ​course​ in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​teacher certification​ ​requirements.

Clearance​ ​Requirements

All​ ​post-baccalaureate​ ​and​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​and​ ​submit copies​ ​of​ ​the​ ​following​ ​clearances​ ​to​ ​the​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of acceptance​ ​to​ ​the​ teacher​ ​certification​ ​program​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​classroom observations​ ​and​ ​student​ ​teaching​ ​in​ ​Pennsylvania.​ ​All​ ​students​ ​(Pennsylvania​ ​and Non-Pennsylvania)​ ​must​ ​obtain​ ​the​ ​FBI​ ​clearance.​ ​Non-Pennsylvania​ ​students should​ ​contact​ ​their​ ​state's​ ​department​ ​of​ ​education​ ​or​ ​school​ ​district​ ​office​ ​for​ ​a​ ​list of​ ​clearances​ ​required​ ​in​ ​their​ ​state.

Act​ ​48​ ​Requirements

To​ ​maintain​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​and​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certifications,​ ​the​ ​PDE​ ​requires​ ​a teacher​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​minimal​ ​equivalent​ ​of​ ​6​ ​semester-hour​ ​(or​ ​9​ ​quarter-hour) credits,​ ​180​ ​credits​ ​of​ ​professional​ ​development,​ ​or​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​credits​ ​and professional​ ​development​ ​hours​ ​every​ ​five​ ​years.​ ​College​ ​credits​ ​must​ ​be​ ​acquired from​ ​an​ ​accredited​ ​four-year,​ ​degree-granting​ ​college​ ​or​ ​university.

Note:​ ​For​ ​those​ ​working​ ​to​ ​acquire​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certification,​ ​the​ ​24​ ​semester credits​ ​or​ ​36​ ​quarter​ ​credits​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​may​ ​also​ ​count towards​ ​Act​ ​48​ ​requirements.​ ​Undergraduate​ ​credits​ ​from​ ​a​ ​community​ ​college​ ​may not​ ​be​ ​counted​ ​toward​ ​Act​ ​48​ ​credits​ ​for​ ​Instructional​ ​II​ ​Certification.

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​and​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​credits​ ​to​ ​your​ ​state​ ​record,​ ​visit​ ​the​ ​PA Department​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​Act​ ​48​ ​Continuing​ ​Professional​ ​Education.

​Elementary​ ​Certification​ ​(Grades​ ​Prek-4)

The​ ​PA​ ​Educator​ ​Certification​ ​Tests​ ​(PECT)​ ​are​ ​required​ to​ ​obtain​ ​your​ ​Elementary (Grades​ ​PreK-4)​ teacher​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​Pennsylvania​.​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​required​ ​to take​ ​the​ ​appropriate​ ​assessment​ ​exam​ ​for​ ​each​ ​area​ ​of​ ​certification​ ​they​ ​wish​ ​to obtain.

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​about​ ​examinations​ ​and​ ​registration,​ ​visit​ ​the​ PA​ ​Educator Certification​ ​Tests​ ​(PECT).

Middle Level (Grades 4-8)

The Praxis examinations are required for all Middle Level Certification candidates. Students must pass the PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment subtests in Pedagogy, English Language Arts/Social Studies and Mathematics/Science as well as the subject area concentration test(s) for the area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examination and registration, please visit the Praxis website.

Secondary​ ​Certification​ ​(Grades​ ​7-12)

All​ ​post-bachelor’s​ ​students​ ​seeking​ ​Secondary​ ​(Grades​ ​7-12)​ teaching​ ​certifications in​ ​Pennsylvania​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​pass​ ​the​ ​Praxis​ ​II​ ​Series.​ ​Students​ ​must​ ​pass​ ​the appropriate​ ​Praxis​ ​II​ ​Content​ ​Knowledge​ ​test(s)​ ​for​ ​each​ ​area​ ​of​ ​certification​ ​they wish​ ​to​ ​obtain.

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​about​ ​examination​ ​and​ ​registration,​ ​please​ ​visit​ ​the​ Praxis Series.

Note:​ ​PA​ ​state​ ​teacher​ ​certification​ ​requires​ ​U.S.​ ​citizenship​ ​or​ ​a​ ​declaration​ ​of intent​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​U.S.​ ​citizen.​ ​Students​ ​not​ ​living​ ​in​ ​the​ ​U.S.​ ​should​ ​contact​ ​the School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​at​ ​215.895.6770​ ​for​ ​specific​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​international​ ​field experiences,​ ​PECT​ ​or​ ​Praxis​ ​exams,​ ​and​ ​certification​ ​application​ ​requirements before​ ​matriculating​ ​into​ ​the​ ​program.

Secondary Education/Special Education Dual Certification

While other programs require students to complete one certification at a time, Drexel offers students the ability to earn PA instructional I secondary certification and Instructional II special education (grades 7-12) with enough credits to complete a master's degree. This track saves students time and makes them more attractive in the job market. Students gain an edge in experience by completing 270 hours of field experiences and 12-weeks of student teaching. The School of Education's Field Placement Office works closely with students to secure placements all across the country.

Teaching, ​Learning, ​and ​Curriculum: ​Teacher Certification ​Courses ​& ​Curriculum

The​ ​MS​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​Curriculum:​ ​Teacher​ ​Certification​ program​ ​at Drexel​ ​University​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​curriculum​ ​that​ ​reflects​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​trends​ ​and​ ​practices​ ​in teaching​ ​and​ ​learning.​ ​Students​ ​must​ ​successfully​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​45 credits​,​ ​allowing​ ​them​ ​to​ become​ ​certified​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​in​ ​the​ ​following​ ​areas:

• Elementary​ ​education​ ​(PK–4)
• Middle level education (4-8)
• Secondary​ ​education​ ​(7–12)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth​ ​and​ ​space​ ​science
• English
• General​ ​science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Social​ ​studies
• Special​ ​Education*

*Note:​ ​Certification​ ​is​ ​available​ ​as​ ​an​ ​add-on​ ​certification​ ​with​ ​additional​ ​coursework

All​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​must​ ​also​ ​select​ ​professional​ ​electives​ ​with​ ​guidance​ ​from​ ​one of​ ​our​ ​master’s​ ​program​ ​advisors.​ ​Professional​ ​electives​ ​may​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​from​ ​any graduate​ ​course​ ​offered​ ​at​ ​the​ ​University​ ​providing​ ​the​ ​student​ ​has​ ​adequate preparation​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​deemed​ ​appropriate​ ​by​ ​the​ ​program​ ​advisor.​ ​The​ ​professional electives​ ​may​ ​comprise​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​the​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education's​ ​master​ ​electives and/or​ ​approved​ ​transfer​ ​credits.

After​ ​successful​ ​completion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​required​ ​content​ ​courses,​ ​core​ ​education,​ ​field experiences,​ ​Praxis​ ​and/or​ ​PECT​ ​exams,​ ​and​ ​receipt​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application​ ​and​ ​all supportive​ ​documents,​ ​Drexel’s​ ​certification​ ​officer​ ​will​ ​recommend​ ​the​ ​candidate​ ​for Pennsylvania​ ​Instructional​ ​Certification.

Students​ ​on​ ​Track​ ​I​ ​who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​PA​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​Certification,​ ​or who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​qualify​ ​for​ ​PA​ ​Instructional​ ​I​ ​certification,​ ​may​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​Master​ ​of Science​ ​(MS)​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning​ ​&​ ​Curriculum​ ​without​ ​a​ ​concentration​ ​by completing​ ​15.0​ ​credits​ ​of​ ​Core​ ​Pedagogy​ ​and​ ​30.0​ ​credits​ ​of​ ​MS​ ​Electives.

For​ ​full​ ​course​ ​details​ ​for​ ​the​ ​MS​ ​in​ ​Teaching,​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​Curriculum:​ ​Teacher Certification​ ​curriculum,​ ​visit​ ​the​ Drexel​ ​University​ ​Course​ ​Catalog.​

Field ​Experience ​& ​Student ​Teaching

The​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​takes​ ​great​ ​pride​ ​in​ ​the​ ​level​ ​of​ ​extensive​ ​clinical​ ​and field-based​ ​experiences​ ​that​ graduate​ ​program​ candidates​ ​have​ ​prior​ to​ ​completing their​ ​teacher​ ​certification,​ ​including​ ​up​ ​to​ ​20​ ​hours​ ​in​ ​a​ ​PK-12​ ​classroom​ ​(depending on​ ​the​ ​specific​ ​course​ ​requirements).

Additionally,​ ​students​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​up​ ​to​ ​60​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​pre-student teaching​ ​immediately​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​student​ ​teaching.​ ​This​ ​allows​ ​candidates​ ​the opportunity​ ​to​ ​put​ ​into​ ​practice​ ​their​ ​learned​ ​pedagogical​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​preparation​ ​for​ ​their student​ ​teaching​ ​experiences.

Once​ ​completed,​ ​both​ ​online​ ​and​ ​on-campus​ ​students​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​a full-time,​ ​minimum​ ​12-week​ ​student​ ​teaching​ ​field​ ​placement​ ​in​ ​a​ ​carefully​ ​selected public​ ​or​ ​charter​ ​school​ ​under​ ​the​ ​immediate​ ​supervision​ ​of​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​competent cooperating​ ​teacher.​ ​This​ ​unique​ ​student​ ​teaching​ ​opportunity​ ​encourages​ ​students to​ ​demonstrate​ ​instructional​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​curriculum​ ​management​ ​in​ ​a​ ​professional setting.

Since​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​program​ ​commitment,​ ​student​ ​teachers​ ​are​ ​encouraged​ ​to​ ​be free​ ​of​ ​external​ ​responsibilities,​ ​as​ ​they​ ​will​ ​serve​ ​as​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​staff in​ ​the​ ​school​ ​to​ ​which​ ​they​ ​have​ ​been​ ​assigned.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​mandatory​ ​requirement​ ​of all​ ​students​ ​seeking​ ​a​ ​teacher​ ​certification.

How ​to ​Apply ​to ​the ​MS ​in Teaching,​ ​Learning, and​ ​Curriculum​ ​Program​ ​or​ ​Get​ ​Your​ ​Teacher​ ​Certification

Students have multiple options to apply to the Master of Science in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum: Teacher Certification program:

By NIRSA Communications

NIRSA enthusiastically joins the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification in celebrating the official launch of Student Affairs Educator Certification.

The launch of this new professional certification marks the culmination of a multi-year development process led by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification–a new organization collaboratively established by ACUHO-I, ACUI, AFA, ASCA, NACA, NASPA, and NIRSA.

Certification development has involved hundreds of practitioners and graduate faculty subject matter experts in student affairs and student services across multiple professional associations. NIRSA is grateful to the many association members who volunteered their time and talent to support the certification’s creation!

About certification

Certification includes a core student affairs educator credential (CSAEd) and specialty credentials in the functional areas of campus activities, campus housing and residential life, campus recreation, college unions, fraternity and sorority life, and student conduct administration.

Each certification was specifically developed to benefit eligible mid-level professionals by formally recognizing their knowledge gained through several years of student affairs or student services work experience and through their ongoing professional development. Certification was intentionally designed to complement and build upon the critical foundation provided by graduate education programs while also acknowledging pathways into, and throughout, student affairs for the many educators whose highest degree earned is a bachelor’s or an associate’s.

Through certification, mid-level educators can formally demonstrate their learning through work experiences and gain a tool to advocate for professional advancement into senior-level positions and transitions across student affairs and student services functional areas.

“The CSAEd and campus recreation specialty credential build on NIRSA’s long standing commitment to professional credentials as a vehicle for demonstrating continuous learning, competencies, and knowledge,” says NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts. “Developing a campus recreation certification with NASPA and our partner associations in the consortium enhances recognition for the credential across student affairs and student services, which will in turn support transitions between functional areas and contribute to a certified individual’s advancement into senior level leadership positions,” she adds.

A pilot program of the Student Affairs Educator Certification successfully occurred in fall 2022. NIRSA and the Consortium plan to recognize the first group of Certified Student Affairs Educators during professional development events in this new year!

The Student Affairs Educator Certification supplants NIRSA’s Registered Collegiate Recreational Sports Professional (RCRSP) certification; RCRSP renewals were sunset in the spring of 2022.

Application period opens next week

Applications for the spring certification window will open on Feb. 13, 2023. The NASPA Foundation is currently offering access scholarships for eligible student affairs educators to apply toward the full amount of the Core certification. The deadline to apply for these Access Scholarships is March 6.

To learn more about applying for certification, register for the free Student Affairs Educator Certification Spring Info Session, happening on Feb. 13. Join your colleagues from across student affairs and student services to learn about applying for, obtaining, and maintaining certification. This free virtual session is intended for student affairs educators interested in applying for certification. It will be recorded and shared with registrants afterward