Certification Options

We offer teacher certification options for undergraduates majoring in scientific disciplines or Secondary Education (SECED); alternatively, certification requirements can be completed while pursuing a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction or in a scientific field.

The following certification requirements are common to all routes to certification, undergrad and graduate options alike. Please note that as of 2011-12, new PA requirements have been enacted and requirements may be different, depending on when you complete your program. More information about new certification rules.

Common Requirements

• Biology Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study for SECED majors

• Chemistry Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study

• Earth & Space Science Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study

• Environmental Education Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study

• General Science Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study

• Physics Certification requirements and a sample 4-Year Program of Study

Degree-Specific Notes

• If you are seeking certification as an undergraduate SECED major (in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction), complete the course requirements described on the curriculum checksheet that you received when you were admitted to the SECED major.

• If you plan to seek certification as an undergrad SECED major, please note that there are requirements for the major that are not listed in the above pdf files (such as the General Education requirements common to all undergraduate majors). In your freshman and sophomore years, we strongly encourage you to complete as much science coursework as possible; in particular, do not postpone required science courses that are only offered once a year. We also encourage you to refer to the above links to "4-Year Programs of Study." The Entrance to Major process is described online by clicking here. See also the Notes on Entrance to Major, below.

• If you plan to seek certification while majoring in a "Qualifying Scientific Discipline" (these majors are listed in the pdf files above), you must complete the Education Requirements and the Option 1 requirements listed therein. Please note that you will need a minimum GPA of 3.0, pass certain State-required PRAXIS exams, be in at least 4th semester status, and be formally admitted. Please note that C I 295, PSYCH 2, EDPSY 14, and EDTHP 115 are not required courses for students seeking certification through this option. Please contact the program if you have questions. We do not recommend postponing completion of your bachelor's degree in a science major in order to finish certification requirements. Instead, finish your degree and complete certification requirements as a graduate student. See also Notes on Admission to Non-Major SCIED Options below.

• If you would like to become certified in science and have already completed a bachelor's degree, but do not have a master's degree, then you should pursue certification as part of a relevant master's degree. The most common option is to complete an M.S. or M.Ed. in Science Education (part of the graduate program in Curriculum & Instruction), but you may also complete certification requirements while pursuing a master's degree in another scientific field (with the consent of your graduate committee in that field and the permission of the Science Education program).

• If you would like to become certified in science and have already completed a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field, you do not need to complete another master's degree. You may complete the certification program requirements as a non-degree student. For more information on this option, please consult a faculty member or Cathy Hipple in 228 Chambers Building (cyh3@psu.edu, 814-863-1497). Also, note that you must complete a non-degree admissions review and be formally admitted to the program; Cathy can help with that process.

The need for new science teachers has never been greater, and if you are interested in teaching, we hope we have an option that matches your needs and ambitions.

Note on the Entrance to Major process (science certification through the SECED major)

Entrance to Major (ETM) is the process through which undergraduates are formally admitted to the Secondary Education major (College of Education). For the appropriate paperwork, please visit 228 Chambers. The ETM process is completed each Spring.

Notes for students majoring in science fields or pursuing studies at the graduate level)

If you plan to complete an undergraduate degree before taking SCIED 412 and CI 495C (these courses are taken concurrently; SCIED 411 is a prerequisite), your admission to the certification program will be done through the Curriculum & Instruction graduate admissions process. You will not need to go through the College of Education's Entrance to Major process, and you may have greater flexibility for completing certification requirements.

If you intend to complete the certification requirements as an undergraduate science major, you must be formally admitted to the SCIED certification program prior to taking SCIED 412 and CI 495C (again, please note that SCIED 411 is a prerequisite). You will not need to go through the College of Education's Entrance to Major, but you do need to be formally admitted (that is, submit a written Application for Admission to the SCIED Program, for Students Majoring in Science Disciplines) and receive a written acceptance. For more information, please consult an advisor in 228 Chambers Building.