M.Ed. Secondary Education: Teaching with Initial Certification

Candidates may choose the Internship Pathway. Once admitted to the program and passing necessary Praxis test, they may be hired immediately to fill a full-time teaching vacancy in a partner school district within 50 miles of Kutztown University. These candidates teach in their own classrooms while completing coursework and clinical requirements. Their student teaching experience is embedded in their daily teaching practice, supported by university supervision and coaching. The Gold Star Program beginning in July supports their start to the first school year of teaching full time.  

Candidates who choose the Traditional Pathway are placed in an unpaid student teaching assignment in a nearby school district. This route is ideal for those who prefer a more gradual transition into the classroom and want to focus on learning before taking on full teaching responsibilities. Traditional Pathway candidates are encouraged to work full time in schools in a different role, like a daily substitute teacher or a paraprofessional, so as to begin work in schools. The Gold Star Program beginning in July supports their development as a school professional in these capacities.

The Gold Star Program is designed to be supportive, adaptive, and practice-oriented, preparing candidates to become confident, reflective, and effective educators. Program competencies align with the profession’s industry standard: The Danielson Framework for Teaching.

• Team-Taught Courses: Delivered by five instructors with diverse expertise.
• Dedicated Coaching: Candidates are grouped into pods of 4–5 and assigned a coaching professor who provides personalized support & mentorship.
• Flexible Benchmark Assignments: Candidates complete self-paced assignments that demonstrate mastery of competencies, tailored to their current teaching context.
• Collaborative Learning Environment: Emphasis on peer support, reflection, & adaptive growth. 

This 3-part model ensures candidates build strong teaching habits through experience first, then deepen their understanding through reflective, theory-based coursework. The full program is 36 graduate credits.  

1. Gold Star Teacher Program (Year 1: July–May)
2. Student Teaching (Internship or Traditional)
3. Graduate Coursework for Reflection and Theory 

Candidates may earn initial teaching certification for grades 7–12 in the following content areas: 

• English 
• Mathematics 
• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, General Science 
• Social Studies 
• German (PK–12) 
• Spanish (PK–12) 

All candidates begin in a Gold Star cohort from July to May, regardless of pathway. 

• Accelerated Track: Complete in as little as 15 months
• Flexible Track: Extend up to 3 years 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area
  • Your undergraduate transcript will be reviewed for completion of courses that fulfill content area competencies. Find guidelines for each content area's requirements in the chart below.
• Qualifying score on the Praxis II Subject Assessment Test
  • A qualifying score is required to begin coursework in the program. Being in the process of taking and passing the test is acceptable at the time of application.
  • Find links to the required testing and qualifying scores for each content area below.

1. Submit Your Application
   • Begin your application through the Kutztown University Graduate Admissions page. 
2. Submit All Transcripts
   • Official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions are required.
3. Praxis II Test
   • A qualifying Praxis II test score is required to begin coursework in the program. Being in the process of taking and passing the test is acceptable at the time of application.
4. Rolling Review Process
   • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, in batches once per month. We strongly encourage you to submit your materials as early as possible. While we accept applications throughout the year, we aim to have a clear sense of our July cohort by April. Absolutely no applications will be considered after June 1. 
5. Interview
   Applicants that meet the general requirements will be invited to interview with the department.