Allegheny, Boyce, North, South
Associate of Arts

This program prepares the student for transfer to a four-year institution for teacher certification in grades of four to eight or seven to 12. Students are offered a broad college background along with skills and knowledge necessary for Middle Level and Secondary Certification.

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate will:

1. Identify current PA teacher certification requirements, including the development of a professional portfolio and demonstrate behaviors appropriate to the profession.
2. Utilize resources, materials and technology for the classroom, including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania Department of Education resources, (i.e., academic standards).
3. Observe students in grades 4 to 12 in their learning environment and empirically document these observations.
4. Classify learning theories and psychological principles in relation to the development of an educational philosophy and pedagogical practices.
5. Analyze past and present topics in education.
6. Describe the role of the classroom teacher in meeting the needs of all students including those with sensory, behavioral, physical, language, cognitive, cultural and learning differences.

Students must be eligible for clearance through the Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (Act 34), the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance Act (Act 151) and meet local requirements of the field placement site.

Graduates achieving a minimum of 3.0 GPA are eligible to transfer to a Bachelor’s degree program in Education, leading to Middle Level or Secondary Teacher certification. Teacher certification candidates must successfully pass the required Preservice Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or PRAXIS Core Academics Skills for Educators exams.