Preparing students for PK-4 elementary teacher certification**
The Drexel School of Education
Online Bachelor of Science in Education program is a part-time program designed to help students with previous college experience complete their degree and enter the rewarding field of education.
Program Length
The anticipated time to complete the Online Bachelor's Degree in Education with PK-4** Elementary Education Certification is ten terms (2.5 years) (the length of time to complete the Education course sequence). Program completion time may be longer than ten terms, depending upon the number of transfer credits upon entry and the number of courses that a student takes each quarter.
NOTE: Students may enroll in this program only on a part-time basis.
Accreditation & State Certification
Drexel's Bachelor of Science program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education under its rigorous guidelines for teacher certification preparation programs. Students who complete the program are recommended for Pennsylvania elementary education (PK-4) certification. In most cases, Pennsylvania's rigorous certification guidelines provide for a smooth transition of certification to other states.
Please note that some states may require additional course work or exams prior to obtaining that state's teacher certificate. Since teacher certification requirements are constantly evolving in most states, please be sure to confirm any reciprocity arrangements/agreements with the state's certifying agency. Certification reciprocity assists in obtaining your certification in another state, but you still must meet the receiving state's certification requirements. Specific state information is available through The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification’s website (http://www.nasdtec.org/agreement.php).
Student Teaching
Teacher certification requires students to complete twelve consecutive weeks of full-day student teaching and an additional 190 hours of in-school pre-student teaching activities embedded in pedagogy courses throughout the program.
Non-Certification Option
Under the non-certification option, those not planning to pursue PK-4 teaching positions are not required to complete the student teaching placement and alternate pedagogy courses are substituted for student teaching.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply today! See admissions criteria for specific supplemental materials required.
**In response to Chapter 49.2, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has restructured the current elementary (K-6) option for certification. By January 1, 2013, candidates wishing to teach at the elementary level in Pennsylvania will need to be certified in PK-4. The new regulations, mandated by Chapter 49, will require the Drexel University School of Education to restructure its current option for the Elementary Education concentration, in order to be in compliance with Pennsylvania State Certification requirements.
The certification changes described below apply to all teacher education institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The School of Education at Drexel University will begin offering coursework that reflects the changes in the PA certification areas beginning September 2009.
Undergraduate students currently completing a program of study in anticipation of eligibility for K-6 certification must graduate from the program no later than December 31, 2012 or be subject to the new regulations. Program directors, program coordinators and academic advisors in the Drexel University School of Education will monitor student progress closely and will increase communications with all current teacher candidates to ensure that all students are program completers by December 31, 2012.
