Teacher Certification I (M.Ed.)
The Master’s in Education programs with Instructional I Teacher Certification at Westminster College are designed for a candidate who currently holds a bachelor's degree and would like to receive initial Pennsylvania teaching certification.
The online master’s program in PK-4 Early Childhood Teacher Certification is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who would like to be certified to teach in early childhood and primary classrooms. Candidates must fulfill PDE and program requirements for degree completion and certification. Coursework includes competencies in educational foundations, English language learners, transformative educational technologies, classroom management, educational assessment, trauma-aware mental health and wellness, structured literacy, and content area methodologies. The program requires in-person participation for required PDE field experiences which include exploration practicum and per-student teaching and student teaching internships.
The online master’s program in Secondary Education Teacher Certification is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who would like to be certified to teach in grades 7-12 for regular academic subject areas and PK-12 in language classrooms. Candidates must fulfill PDE and program requirements for degree completion and certification. Coursework includes competencies in educational foundations, English Language Learners, transformative educational technologies, classroom management, educational assessment, trauma-aware mental health and wellness, and subject-specific methodologies. The program requires in-person participation for required PDE field experiences which include exploration practicum and per-student teaching and student teaching internships. Secondary education certification areas include:
The online master’s program in PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who would like to be certified to teach in special education classrooms. Candidates must fulfill PDE and program requirements for degree completion and certification. Coursework includes competencies in educational foundations, English language learners, transformative educational technologies, classroom management, educational assessment, trauma-aware mental health and wellness, structured literacy, and special education assessment and methodology. The program requires in-person participation for required PDE field experiences which include exploration practicum and per-student teaching and student teaching internships.
Candidates seeking PA teacher certification must successfully complete the teacher education program at Westminster along with current Praxis Series Examination requirements.
Candidates seeking teaching certification in another state may apply through that state’s Department of Education and must meet its specific requirements. These typically include submitting an application, providing proof of out-of-state certification, completing a background check, and, in some cases, fulfilling additional coursework or state-specific exam requirements. Many states participate in Interstate Reciprocity Agreements through NASDTEC, and a significant number accept Pennsylvania teacher certification.
Admission into the Graduate Teacher Certification Program is based upon a careful review of the following requirements by the Chair and Graduate Program Director of the School of Education at Westminster College: