Certification in Pennsylvania
The Instructional Certificate is issued to a person whose
primary responsibility shall be direct contact with learners in
teaching-learning situations. Certification for Library
Science K-12 may be earned at the undergraduate level, graduate
level, or a combination of the two levels. In addition,
anyone holding a valid instructional certificate may add Library
Science certification at either the undergraduate or graduate
level.
School Library certification in Pennsylvania for Library/Media personnel is titled Library Science K-12. Initial certification may be earned on the graduate level, undergraduate level or a combination of the two levels. Candidates are not required to have teacher certification in a subject area to obtain initial certification. Candidates must, however, complete their Library Science K-12 preparation in a state-approved certification program. Extension of PA certification is also available on the graduate level, undergraduate level, or a combination of the two levels. Kutztown University is a state- approved certification program on all three levels.
INITIAL
PA CERTIFICATION - LIBRARY SCIENCE K-12
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website (www.pde.state.pa.us)
for more information.
Educators prepare for their responsibilities in the schools of
the Commonwealth by the completion of (1) state-approved teacher
education programs including a student teaching or intern
experience, (2) Praxis I and Praxis II assessments and (3)
application materials documenting that all certificate
requirements have been met.
DOWNLOAD THE PRAXIS INFO SHEET
Applications for teacher certification will be evaluated in
accordance with the following requirements of Chapter 354
established by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education:
Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements: Overall GPA as noted on
transcript
If submitting a Bachelor's degree
transcript:
Effective with all applications received
September 1, 2005: 3.0 GPA
If
submitting a Master's degree transcript:
Effective with all applications received
September 1, 2003: 3.0 GPA
NOTE: All references to a GPA are relative to a 4.0
scale. Applicants with credits on other scales must have
the equivalent GPA.
Academic preparation in Math
and English: All applicants for Instructional and Educational
Specialist certification must have achieved:
6 semester hours (or the equivalent) in college
level math
3 semester hours (or the equivalent) in college
level English Composition
3 semester hours (or the equivalent) in college
level English/American Literature
EXTENSION OF PA TEACHING CERTIFICATE
Prior to
application for extension of your PA Teaching Certificate to
include Library Science, you must:
1. Successfully
complete all course work.
2. Take and pass
Library Science Specialization portion of the PRAXIS Tests
(Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers).
3. Send PRAXIS
Test scores to KU and the PA Department of Education
FIELDWORK
FOR EXTENSION OF CERTIFICATE
Fieldwork (LIB 375 or LIB 590) is a culminating experience. In a shortened form of student teaching, it involves spending
100 hours in a school library media center with an evaluating cooperating librarian and at least one visit from a university supervisor. The Department recommends that you complete all nine (9) Library Science courses prior to your Field Experience, in order to maximize your learning while in the field.
CONTACT
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