Program Overview

Introduction to the Major in PK-4 Elementary or 7-12 Secondary Education

Villanova University's Undergraduate Teacher Education Program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to prepare candidates for either PK-4 Elementary or 7-12 Secondary Instructional Level I Certification required to teach in Pennsylvania's public schools. Pennsylvania is one of 46 states party to an interstate agreement that enables certified candidates to teach in other states.

Explore the Major

Course Requirements

In addition to curriculum requirements outlined by the College, students need to apply to the Pennsylvania Certification Program, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to become a certified teacher.

• Completed 48 credits
• A minimal 3.0 GPA
• Six credits in English
• Six credits in mathematics
• Two recommendations from professors

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to student teach.

Certification Information

To be recommended for certification, students must:

• Have a final 3.0 GPA
• Pass the state-required exams
• Satisfactory performance in their field experiences, including a minimal B- in student teaching
• Successful creation of a presentation electronic portfolio

To obtain PA Instructional I Teacher Certification, students must take and earn qualifying scores on all Subject Area tests for specific instruction areas. Pennsylvania uses the GPA sliding scale.

Certification Testing

All students seeking PA teacher certification must take and pass the required state exams for their content area.

• PK-4 Elementary Assessment: PECT
• 7-12 Secondary Content Areas: Praxis

Content Areas

Students may choose from one of the following content areas: PK-4 Elementary or one of the 7-12 Secondary content areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Latin, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, and Spanish.

PK-4 Elementary

• Module 1: Child development, learning, and assessment; collaboration and professionalism.
• Module 2: Language and literacy development; social studies, arts, and humanities.
• Module 3: Mathematics, science, and health.
• Qualifying scores:
  • Module 1: 197
  • Module 2: 193
  • Module 3: 193

Biology

• Biology 7-12 Praxis Test 5235
• Qualifying score: 147

Chemistry

• Chemistry 7-12 Praxis Test: 5245
• Qualifying score: 154

English

• English 7-12 Praxis Test: 5038
• Qualifying score: 167

French

• French 7-12 Praxis Test: 5174
• Qualifying score: 162

Latin

• Latin 7-12 Praxis Test: 5601
• Qualifying score: 152

Mathematics

• Mathematics 7-12 Praxis Test: 5161
• Qualifying score: 160

Physics

• Physics 7-12 Praxis Test: 5265
• Qualifying score: 140

Social Studies

• Social Studies 7-12 Praxis Test: 5081
• Qualifying score: 157

Spanish

• Spanish 7-12 Praxis Test: 5195
• Qualifying score: 168

Transferring PA Instructional I Certificate to Another State

Pennsylvania participates in the Interstate Agreement - National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, NASDTEC. However, each state may have a few additional requirements. In compliance with federal law, information about specific state requirements is available.