Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs
About the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs
The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs at Westminster College are designed for a candidate who currently holds a bachelor's degree and would like to receive a Pennsylvania teaching certification.
PreK-4 Early Childhood
The on-campus post-bacc PreK-4 Early Childhood Teacher Certification is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who would like to be certified to teach in the PreK-4 Early Childhood classrooms. Candidates must fulfill Chapter 49 competencies to obtain certification. Those include coursework in educational foundations, field experiences and English Language Learners.
PreK-12 Special Education
The on-campus post-bacc PreK-12 Special Education teacher certification program is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who would like to be certified to teach in the PreK-12 Special Education classrooms. Candidates must fulfill Chapter 49 competencies to obtain certification. Those include coursework in educational foundations, field experiences and English Language Learners.
K-12 Reading Specialist For PA/OH
The online K-12 Reading Specialist Teacher Certification program is designed for a candidate with a bachelor's degree who wants to be certified to teach as a Reading Specialist in K-12 classrooms. This 21-credit program fulfills PDE requirements for candidates to apply for Pennsylvania Department of Education Reading Specialist Certification K–12. Candidates must fulfill Chapter 49 competencies to obtain certification. Those include coursework in Special Education and/or English Language Learners, in addition to the core 21 credits of literacy coursework.
Secondary Education Teacher Certification
The on-campus post-bacc Secondary Education teacher certification program is designed for a candidate who currently has an undergraduate degree and would like to be certified to teach in the 7-12 classrooms. The undergraduate degree does not need to be in the desired certification field, but students will have to complete all requirements for the chosen subject area as well as all secondary education courses necessary for certification. Candidates must fulfill Chapter 49 competencies to obtain certification. Those include coursework in educational foundations, field experiences and English Language Learners. Secondary education certification areas include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- French
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Studies
- Spanish
Students seeking PA teacher certification must successfully complete the teacher education program at Westminster along with current Praxis Series Examination requirements. Students seeking certification in other states can modify their program accordingly.
Admission into the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is based upon a careful review of the following requirements by the Post-Baccalaureate Program Coordinator of Westminster College School of Education:
- A total college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher in the undergraduate degree program. NOTE: Applicants with a minimum 2.8 GPA will be accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate program. Applicants must demonstrate academic aptitude by the end of the first semester in the program by reaching an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Essay explaining rationale and philosophical motivation to teach
- Two letters of professional reference addressing the applicant's potential as a teacher candidate
- Official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
- A virtual interview with the Post Baccalaureate Program Coordinator of the School of Education