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SJU Logo School of Education and Human Development

Certifications & Licensure

Teacher Certification Eligibility

To be eligible for and gain admission to the Educator Preparation Program (formerly known as the teacher certification program), undergraduate students majoring in elementary or elementary/special education or seeking a minor in secondary education must:

  • Complete a minimum of 48 credits (including 6 in English and 6 in Math) while maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Complete the Schools in Society and Educational Psychology courses and their accompanying labs (maintaining a combined 2.7 GPA for both courses).
  • Take and pass the Praxis I (PPST, ETS Core, Pearson PAPA) Reading, Writing and Mathematics exams. Please note this has been waived through July 2, 2025.
  • Complete an “Application for Acceptance Into the Undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (EPP)” form with their academic advisor.

PRAXIS Exam Requirements

Please note that the Praxis I (PPST, ETS Core, Pearson PAPA) Reading, Writing and Mathematics exams have been waived by PDE through July 2, 2025. To obtain certification:

  • Elementary education students must take (after completing their education courses except student teaching):
  • Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  • Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge
  • Special education students must take (after completing their special education courses)
  • Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge
  • Secondary education students must take (after completing most of their content area course work):

  • Subject Area (e.g., Mathematics or Physics): Content Knowledge

To learn more about the required Praxis exams, consult the PA Department of Education.

To register for the Praxis exams, consult ETS.

Applying for Pennsylvania Certification

All education majors must apply to the SJU Educator Preparation Program (formerly known as the Teacher Certification Program). Applications should be submitted to the Office of Certification by January 31st of the sophomore year. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the program.

  • Undergraduate students who have finished their degree and graduate students who have completed all of their required courses can apply for their Instructional I certification with Pennsylvania if they have also passed all of their required Praxis exams and maintained a GPA of 3.0. Instructional I certification is good for six years of teaching.

    All Pennsylvania certification applications are entered online through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). For detailed instructions click on TIMS Instruction Guide.

    Questions regarding certification should be directed to Dr. Kevin Clapano at kclapano@sju.edu or 610-660-3187.

  • To learn more about the Instruction II certification, students should consult the PA Department of Education. Students can find information on how to:

    • Obtain Instruction II certification
    • Obtain additional certifications
    • Keep their certification current through ACT 48 credits

  • Please use this form to request a certification letter or out-of-state certification form. We will review your request and send you a follow-up email as soon as your request has been reviewed. Requests take 2-3 weeks to process.

  • All candidates for initial certification in Pennsylvania must have earned at least a baccalaureate degree, completed an approved program of teacher education, and have passed the appropriate tests required in Pennsylvania for their certification area. Learn more about testing requirements.

  • Saint Joseph’s University can only recommend students for teacher certification to the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, however, has reciprocity agreements with a majority of states in the US. Pennsylvania certification is readily transferred to other states because of these agreements. To learn more about state reciprocity, consult the PA Department of Education.

ACT 48 Credits

In compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) will report the successful completion of all courses taken to satisfy ACT 48 regulations. Currently, Saint Joseph’s University may only report courses taken for credit that appear on a Saint Joseph’s University transcript.

Do not report courses in progress or courses for which a passing grade does not appear on your SJU transcript. Saint Joseph’s University does not provide ACT 48 professional development “hours” unless such non-credit programs have the prior approval of SJU and PDE.

As PDE only requires 6 credits (or two classes) every 5 years, this form only allows for the submitting of 2 classes.

Please contact Dr. Kevin Clapano with any questions or problems at kclapano@sju.edu or 610-660-3187.

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