Applying for Teacher Certification
Near the end of your student teaching experience, during ED411, you will learn how to apply for teacher certification. This section provides important information regarding that process.
Question: Where might I find general information regarding graduation and PA teacher certification?
Answer: You may find general guidelines on the PDE website.
Question: At what point can I complete the TIMS application?
Answer: While you may start the application process early, typically during student teaching, you will not be able to complete the application until you approach graduation. You should use the official college calendar date as your graduation date. You may not enter a future date to complete the TIMS application.
Question: What does my GPA have to be in order to apply for teacher certification in Pennsylvania?
Answer: An overall GPA of 3.0 is required.
Question: What if my GPA is less than a 3.0 at the time of application for certification?
Answer: Students with less than a 3.0 can only receive certification if they have a higher test score on their subject matter content test according to Chapter 354. (5) The preparing institution shall ensure that candidates in initial programs culminating in a bachelor’s degree or higher complete the program with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
(6) As an alternative to the overall minimum GPA of 3.0, the preparing institution may recommend candidates for certification if they have achieved one of the following:
(i) An overall minimum GPA of 2.8 and have earned a score on the appropriate subject area assessment required under § 49.18 (relating to assessment) that is at least one standard error of measure above the established qualifying score for that assessment.
(ii) An overall minimum GPA of 2.8 and have an earned score on the appropriate professional knowledge assessment required under § 49.18 (relating to assessment) of at least one standard error of measure above the established qualifying score for that assessment.
Question: How should I complete my application for certification?
Answer: You may complete your application for PA teacher certification online only through TIMS. You will first need to create a PDE username and password. You may then access TIMS with your username and password to begin your certification application.
You will complete this with your professor in ED411. PDE offers some very useful guides to help with this process.
Question: Is there anything I need to complete at Saint Vincent College as a part of my certification application?
Answer: Yes. You will need to complete this form that will provide the Certification Officer the needed information in order to review and submit your TIMS application to PDE.
Question: What certification type am I applying for?
Answer: You will apply for an Instructional I. This is an initial certification.
Question: What type of program is mine?
Answer: Your program is a traditional program.
Question: How much is the TIMS application?
Answer: The TIMS application is $200.00. PDE changes this fee periodically, so make sure you refer to the PDE website for the most current fees.
Question: How long does it take for my application to be processed?
Answer: Once you have completed your TIMS application and met for an Exit Interview with the SVC Certification Officer, the Education Division will verify your GPA and program completion online. Your certification will be processed in approximately 8 to 11 weeks. You will need to access TIMS and print your certification. PDE will not send you an email to notify you that your certification has been processed.
Question: Will I have to submit other documents to PDE in order to get my certification?
Answer: Maybe. Your TIMS coversheet will outline any documents that you will need to submit to PDE via the mail.
Question: Can I apply for teaching positions even while my teaching certification is being processed?
Answer: Yes. The SVC Certification Officer will provide you a placeholder letter that states you met the required criteria for graduation and certification and that your certification has been submitted to PDE for processing. This letter will become a part of your application packet.
Question: How do I contact PDE if needed?
Answer: If you have additional questions about your application, you can email PDE at [email protected] or call (717) PA-TEACH.
For additional information about the certification process, please contact the Certification Officer:
Dr. Tracy McNelly
724-805-2447
[email protected]
Answer: You may find general guidelines on the PDE website.
Question: At what point can I complete the TIMS application?
Answer: While you may start the application process early, typically during student teaching, you will not be able to complete the application until you approach graduation. You should use the official college calendar date as your graduation date. You may not enter a future date to complete the TIMS application.
Question: What does my GPA have to be in order to apply for teacher certification in Pennsylvania?
Answer: An overall GPA of 3.0 is required.
Question: What if my GPA is less than a 3.0 at the time of application for certification?
Answer: Students with less than a 3.0 can only receive certification if they have a higher test score on their subject matter content test according to Chapter 354. (5) The preparing institution shall ensure that candidates in initial programs culminating in a bachelor’s degree or higher complete the program with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
(6) As an alternative to the overall minimum GPA of 3.0, the preparing institution may recommend candidates for certification if they have achieved one of the following:
(i) An overall minimum GPA of 2.8 and have earned a score on the appropriate subject area assessment required under § 49.18 (relating to assessment) that is at least one standard error of measure above the established qualifying score for that assessment.
(ii) An overall minimum GPA of 2.8 and have an earned score on the appropriate professional knowledge assessment required under § 49.18 (relating to assessment) of at least one standard error of measure above the established qualifying score for that assessment.
Question: How should I complete my application for certification?
Answer: You may complete your application for PA teacher certification online only through TIMS. You will first need to create a PDE username and password. You may then access TIMS with your username and password to begin your certification application.
You will complete this with your professor in ED411. PDE offers some very useful guides to help with this process.
Question: Is there anything I need to complete at Saint Vincent College as a part of my certification application?
Answer: Yes. You will need to complete this form that will provide the Certification Officer the needed information in order to review and submit your TIMS application to PDE.
Question: What certification type am I applying for?
Answer: You will apply for an Instructional I. This is an initial certification.
Question: What type of program is mine?
Answer: Your program is a traditional program.
Question: How much is the TIMS application?
Answer: The TIMS application is $200.00. PDE changes this fee periodically, so make sure you refer to the PDE website for the most current fees.
Question: How long does it take for my application to be processed?
Answer: Once you have completed your TIMS application and met for an Exit Interview with the SVC Certification Officer, the Education Division will verify your GPA and program completion online. Your certification will be processed in approximately 8 to 11 weeks. You will need to access TIMS and print your certification. PDE will not send you an email to notify you that your certification has been processed.
Question: Will I have to submit other documents to PDE in order to get my certification?
Answer: Maybe. Your TIMS coversheet will outline any documents that you will need to submit to PDE via the mail.
Question: Can I apply for teaching positions even while my teaching certification is being processed?
Answer: Yes. The SVC Certification Officer will provide you a placeholder letter that states you met the required criteria for graduation and certification and that your certification has been submitted to PDE for processing. This letter will become a part of your application packet.
Question: How do I contact PDE if needed?
Answer: If you have additional questions about your application, you can email PDE at [email protected] or call (717) PA-TEACH.
For additional information about the certification process, please contact the Certification Officer:
Dr. Tracy McNelly
724-805-2447
[email protected]
