Discover your Path in Philadelphia Education!
The Pathways tool will help you navigate the process to become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania — no matter where you’re starting from. Find out what you need to make an impact as a Philadelphia educator.
Are you a teacher?
These universities below are all located in or around Philadelphia and offer teacher certification and master’s level programs that will prepare you to become an educator. Most of these are designed as two-year programs that include coursework, placement in schools for student teaching experiences, and preparation for the Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements. Learn more about each program by clicking on its box.
Residency programs are intensive training programs designed to prepare future teachers to work in Philadelphia classrooms while earning their teaching certification (and often a Master’s degree) at often redacted rates and receiving salary and benefits. All teacher residents work alongside an experienced mentor teacher for a full academic year while taking closely-aligned coursework.
Offered by Area Schools:
Teaching Fellowship(Partnered with Relay GSE and UTR at Penn) Mastery Teaching Residency(Partnered with City Teaching Alliance or Relay GSE) Freire Schools(Partnered with Relay/GSE) School District of
Philadelphia Teacher Residency(Partnered with Drexel, Relay GSE, Temple and City Teaching Alliance) String Theory School(through Temple Teacher Residency or Relay/GSE)
Offered by Area Educator Preparation Programs:
Teacher Residency Relay GSE
Teaching Residency Temple Teacher Residency Urban Teaching Residency at Penn
The alternative routes below get you in the classroom right away. To be a full time teacher of record immediately you must be eligible for an Emergency Permit or a Teacher Intern Certification. Learn more about these alternative routes below.
Teach For America Relay GSE Alt Cert PA-ApprovedAlt Cert Programs Urban Teaching
Residency at Penn American Board
Teacher Cert Program
Other Alternative Options:
Must be offered a full-time teaching position to qualify. For opportunities, go to find a job.
Emergency Permit Teacher InternCertification Program
Pathways for Non-PA Certified Teachers:
Teachers with administrative, supervisory, or superintendent credentials Application for teacher reciprocity through NASDTEC Interstate Agreement Teachers with valid NBPTS or NASPC credentials Foreign Educated Teacher CertificationPre-Certification Teaching Opportunities
Below are opportunities for you to experience the teaching field before you decide to pursue certification. These include two AmeriCorps Programs in Philadelphia: City Year, where you can serve as a success coach, a tutor, and a mentor, and Joyful Readers, where you can serve as a reading tutor. Or you can serve as a Teacher Apprentice at one of two area charter schools. Learn more about these opportunities by selecting one of these options.
Bachelor's Degree with Certification
The local universities below have undergraduate programs that equip you to earn a bachelor's degree and teaching credential. On this pathway, you will get clinical experience, take certification tests and apply for certification as part of the program. Learn more about each school, like their tuition and financial aid, by selecting one.
Alternative Undergraduate Programs
The resources below support undergraduate students in colleges across Philadelphia. Learn more about each resource by selecting one.
Associate in Arts Degree at CCP: Enrolling in and completing an Associate in Arts degree in Education earns you a first postsecondary degree that can lead to employment opportunities at some schools. An Associate’s degree can also be a step toward becoming a teacher by building on the knowledge and credits you have earned if you apply to and enroll in a Bachelor’s degree program in education. You can apply to have your Associate’s degree or credits you have earned count towards your Bachelor’s degree through a transfer of credits process jointly managed by CCP and the Bachelor’s degree college you choose. Learn more about the PA-TRAC transfer process as you make your decisions.
Visit CCPParaprofessionals - College Unbound: You can earn a Bachelor's degree by enrolling in College Unbound. This two-year program is for District paraprofessionals who have at least 60 college credits and confers a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change
Visit College UnboundUndergrad Resources and Opportunities
College students who are considering a teaching career but not necessarily majoring in education can gain hands-on experience and support through one of these programs.
City Year Philadelphia: This AmeriCorps gives you an opportunity to serve as success coaches, tutor, and mentor in Philadelphia schools while getting paid. City Year Corps Members must must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Visit City Year PhiladelphiaFreedom Schools Literacy Academy: Serving as a Servant Leader Apprentice (SLA) or a Junior Servant Leader Apprentice for the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy. Run by the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), the Academy provides after school programming and summer programs, many hosted by Mastery Schools. (Important Note: SLAs and JSLAs are eligible for CBED’s Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship, which provides coaching and “last dollar” scholarship funding to individuals pursuing an education degree and teacher certification.)
Visit FSLABlack Teacher Pipeline Fellowship: If you are a college student participating in the Teaching Academy or the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy of the Center for Black Educator Development, you are eligible for this Fellowship, which provides academic support, professional coaching, scholarships, and additional benefits.
Visit Black Teacher Pipeline FellowshipThe Octavius Catto Scholarship at Community College of Philadelphia: If you are considering Community College of Philadelphia as a full-time student and meet the scholarship’s income guidelines, you might be eligible for the Catto Scholarship at CCP. Catto Scholars have access to funds for tuition and other expenses, coaching, and connections to non-academic support services.
Visit Octavius Catto ScholarshipBreakthrough of Greater Philadelphia: Breakthrough offers college students a hands-on teaching experience at the middle school level over a summer or an entire school year.
Visit Breakthrough of Greater PhiladelphiaSDP Para Pathway Pathway: The School District of Philadelphia’s Para Pathway Program offers paraprofessionals who meet eligibility requirements an opportunity to attain a bachelor’s degree with tuition assistance while working full-time.
Visit SDP Para Pathway PathwayPre-College Programs
There are programs available to high school students that can help you get started on your pathway to becoming a teacher. Click below to explore each program and what they have to offer, including college credit, paid opportunities, or financial aid.
Teaching Experiences &
These organizations provide high school students with teaching experiences. Learn more about each experience by selecting one.
Freedom Schools Literacy Academy: The Center for Black Educator Development hosts an eight-week summer pre-apprenticeship program for aspiring high school and college-aged educators. In FSLA, you will have an opportunity to help younger people of African descent develop their literacy skills while you benefit from professional development, observations, and coaching.
Visit FSLACTE at SLA Beeber: As an SLA Beeber student you can start taking courses that put you on a path to becoming a teacher while you are still in high school. The program starts in 11th grade, and includes dual enrollment college credit.
Visit SLA BeeberCollege Programs for High School Students: If you are a School District of Philadelphia high school student, Cheyney University’s Aspire to Educate program and Temple University’s Education Scholars program provide you with fee-free exposure to teaching careers. Both programs run the entire duration of the school year. Temple University has several one-to-four week programs that run during the school year and in the summer. These programs provide opportunities for you to learn about how you yourself learn, and how you can teach others.
Visit Cheyney University’s Aspire to Educate Visit Temple University’s Education ScholarsWorkReady Philadelphia: If you are 14 years old or older, you can find internships, job opportunities, and career workshops through WorkReady Philadelphia. Education and Childcare participating organizations include: Asian Americans United, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, CORA Services, Concilio, and Somerset Academy Learning Center.
Visit WorkReady PhiladelphiaGet Certified!
In order to be certified in PA you must pass certification testing and apply for certification on TIMS
Pennsylvania requires assessment of candidates in basic skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge and subject area knowledge before a certificate may be issued.
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You can teach while your certification is being processed
Continue to Learn HowGet Certified in PA
In order to be certified in PA you must submit required documentation, pass certification testing, and apply for certification on TIMS. (Some exceptions apply.) Select the route that best applies to you to learn more about how to apply for certification in PA.
National Board Credential Professional Level Out-of-State Certification Approved Out-of-State Preparation Program Other Out-of-State Circumstances More Info on Testing & TIMSYou can teach while your certification is being processed
Continue to Learn HowGet a Job in PA
Teach while transferring your out-of-state certification to PA
Find a JobA Pennsylvania public school entity (LEA) can request an Emergency Permit from the PDE. You cannot apply for an emergency permit yourself. You must be hired by a public school in PA.
More Info on Emergency PermitsStay on track to complete all steps to Get Certified in PA
Continue to Level 1