School of Education
If you want to become a certified educator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you need diligence, organization and preparedness. Learn how PennWest Edinboro’s School of Education helps you every step of the way, guiding you through the government clearances, candidacy requirements, state testing, student teaching and eventually certification.
In order to graduate from a program in PennWest Edinboro’s School of Education and receive a teaching certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), you must:
*Note: If you are seeking teacher certification from a state other than Pennsylvania, please
follow the procedures required by that specific state. It is the student’s responsibility
to investigate certification requirements from states other than Pennsylvania. Only
international students who hold immigration status and have submitted a form of intent
to become a citizen are eligible to apply for PDE teacher certification.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and PennWest Edinboro require clearances be submitted by students pursuing a degree in the education field.
Clearances are an essential part of any education program because you will be working directly with minors, who are protected under federal law. The list of clearances and forms below are required by all students in the School of Education and must be submitted before scheduling clearance required courses. The clearances must also be updated before student teaching. New clearances may be required for field. Do not secure new clearances for field unless you are contacted by our office.
Any questions regarding clearances should be directed to Stacey Guianen, School of Education, sguianen@pennwest.edu or 814-732-1305.
Please note, the School of Education cannot provide copies of clearances to students. Keep your originals in a safe and accessible location for the various requirements of the University and K-12 school districts.
Students not complying with this requirement will not be permitted to schedule clearance-required courses. See list below:
School of Education Clearance Required Course Listing
Clearances will be requested throughout various parts of an Education student’s academic
career. Please see below for each situation and requirements.
Initial clearances must be dated less than 2 years old. All clearances listed below need to be renewed and dated within 1 year of the last day of student teaching or internship unless otherwise noted. These clearances will be uploaded to Anthology.
Please note: You are required to take your clearance packet to your placement schools for both
field and student teaching. It is up to the field/student teaching School District to determine if your clearances
meet the necessary requirements. They have the right to ask you to update any clearances
at any time.
The path to becoming a certified teacher at PennWest Edinboro begins by obtaining “Admission to Teacher Education” after entering the program. This allows you to continue to the upper level courses, become certified through the Pennsylvania Department of Education and acquire experience as student teachers.
One of the first steps a student who wishes to become a teacher must complete is to
obtain the status of teacher candidate within the School of Education. “Admission
to Teacher Education” is a set of procedures and standards for completing the School
of Education programs at PennWest Edinboro. You must obtain “admission” to continue
with your chosen program. This structure ensures that Edinboro graduates are prepared
to be excellent professional educators by meeting the quality standards at both national
and state levels.
Undergraduate students must meet these criteria in order to obtain admission, see the policy and process information below::
Admission to Teacher Education Policy
Admission to Teacher Education Process
Admission to Teacher Education Application
If you are a professional who is already certified in Pennsylvania, you do not need
to apply for candidacy in order to get additional certification. You must take the
appropriate courses and pass the required testing to be qualified for certification
in their area. All clearances must be up-to-date and on file with the University.
Field Application Deadlines:
Speak directly with your advisor for detailed information regarding field placements and when you will register for a field experience.
Fill out the field experience application and submit to your advisor for review and approval. Your advisor will then forward to the Ofice of Clinical Experiences.
Please note: Students are unable to schedule for field until field application is completed and
on file with the School of Education.
Receiving Teaching Certification is the final step students must reach before they
can serve in a Pennsylvania public school. Students must complete their chosen program,
graduate and pass the appropriate testing to receive their certification.
Certification is a process in which the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements are fulfilled and verified so that you can be an educator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All professional employees of the Commonwealth’s public schools must hold a certificate. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education sets the standards and regulations for certification, and the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality administers those standards and regulations in regard to certifying educators. Individuals must hold a valid, appropriate certificate with the proper endorsement area corresponding to the job assignment in order to serve in a Pennsylvania public school.
Pennsylvania's Certification Requirements
School of Education
140 Butterfield Hall
310 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2724
Dr. Stephanie Williams
Field Services & Partnerships Coordinator
147 Butterfield Hall
Email: williams_s@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1468
