Graduate Teacher Certification Program, M.Ed. (CITE)

The Graduate Certification Program (GCP) at Temple is based on the premise that people who had undergraduate majors outside education can make an important contribution to educating today´s youth. In fact, current trends in education emphasize the important role of subject - matter experts in the teaching field. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Master of Education degree (M. Ed.) and a Pennsylvania Instructional I teaching certificate. Earlier in the program, most students qualify for a Pennsylvania Intern certificate, which allows them to teach in Pennsylvania public schools for three years with all the rights and privileges of any professional employee. The Intern Certificate is a temporary teaching certificate that expires three years from issuance and is only valid in the state of Pennsylvania. Students may apply to the Career/Technical (Note: For C&T, only core courses are available in Harrisburg, the remainder would be taken in Fort Washington or Main campus), Elementary Education, or Special Education tracks of the GCP.

Core Course Requirements

Sample advising sheets for the courses to be taken in all specializations of the GCP are available below for review online. Students should register for Education 403: Effective Teaching-Theory and Practice and Education 413: Practicum in Teaching early in the program (Students in the Five-Year Program and in-service Career & Technical Education students are exempt from Education 413). One semester of full-time, supervised teaching is required of all students. During the semester in which students complete full-time supervised teaching, they are required to register for Education 406: Supervised Teaching and Education 412: Seminar in Supervised Teaching (Career/Technical, Elementary, and Secondary tracks only).

Specializations

Harrisburg offers three specializations within the GCP. Students interested in attaining a teaching certificate will enroll in one of the following program specializations:

Career & Technical Education GCP Specialization

This specialization is for individuals who wish to teach in the areas of Business, Computer, and Information Technology or Marketing Education. The certification for Industrial Education is for grades seven through twelve. For Business, Computer, and Information Technology and for Marketing Education, the certification is kindergarten through twelve. (Note: Not all courses are available in Harrisburg, C&T specific courses need to be taken at Fort Washington or Main campus)

Elementary Education GCP Specialization

This is the specialization for people interested in teaching elementary - school students. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be certified to teach students in grades kindergarten through six. Under certain conditions, elementary certified teachers can also teach in the middle schools.

Special Education GCP Specialization

This specialization is for people who are interested in teaching children with mental or physical disabilities in grades kindergarten through twelve.

Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the general admission standards of the College of Education and the Graduate School. Admission is determined according to professional letters of recommendation, a Professional Goal Statement, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, scores on either the verbal and quantitative tests of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), and successful completion of Praxis I examinations. A personal interview is not required.

Minimum GRE/MAT Requirement

Applicants must take either the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE or take the MAT in order to be admitted to the program. The GRE is computer administered. Information on the administration of the GRE maybe obtained by calling 800-GRE-CALL. The MAT is offered the first Tuesday of every month at Temple University Harrisburg and at other locations. For an appointment to take the MAT at Temple University Harrisburg, applicants may call 717-232-6400. Scores on the GRE or MAT are acceptable only if taken during the five years prior to application.

Applicants are expected to score in the 50th percentile or above on the GRE or MAT. Non-native speakers of English must take the TOEFL examinations. Scores of at least 575 are necessary for admission to the program (230 on the computer based version). Students who score between 575 and 600 (230-250 on the computer- version) must take an English refresher course.

Minimum GPA Requirement

Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale

• Standard exceptions:
• --3.5 UGPA during the last two years.
• --Minimum of 3.25 Graduate GPA for nine hours (typically taken as a non- matriculated student in the GCP.)
• --GRE or MAT scores at or above the 65th percentile.
• Special exceptions: Applicants who do not meet regular admission criteria may be considered for a special exception if a compelling case can be made for admitting them. These special exceptions will only be rarely granted.

Prerequisites

Applicants to all programs must have at least six undergraduate credits in college - level mathematics and at least six undergraduate credits in English composition and English literature combined to be considered for admission to the GCP. These requirements must be fulfilled prior to admission.

Students may take up to, but not more than, nine semester hours of graduate study in the GCP before being admitted to the program. The credits will transfer into the program, if the student is admitted. Students enrolling in courses before being admitted to the program are not guaranteed admission.

Additional prerequisites vary depending on your desired program, as described below:

CTE Prerequisites

Students interested in the GCP - Career and Technical Education must meet the prerequisite requirements of their subspecialty - Business, Computer and Information Technology, or Marketing Education.

Elementary Education Prerequisites

Prerequisite to admission to the GCP- Elementary Education specialization is evidence of a course in

• One of the following: U.S. History, American Government, World History,Foundations of American Education, U.S. Economics, and Law in Education
• One of the following: Multicultural Education, African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Asian Studies, and other courses dealing with studies in race.
• Two of the following: English Composition, English Usage, Linguistics, and Literature (English Language), and Journalism.
• One of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Science, Health Education, Physics, and a Laboratory Science.
• Two of the following: Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra, and College Mathematics

Special Education Prerequisites

Students who apply to the GCP - Special Education track are expected to have a course in teaching reading and mathematics. These courses, however, may be taken early in the program and are not prerequisites for admission.

How to Apply:

Completed applications must include:

• Three professional letters of recommendation.
• Two copies of Professional Goals´ Statement.
• Two copies of official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities attended.
• Scores from GREs or MATs (current within five years of application date).
• Scores from PRAXIS Examinations. All applicants must pass all sections of PRAXIS I. These include one - hour Preprofessional Skills Tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
• TOEFL examinations scores for non-native speakers of English.

Applications are available online at http://webserv.adminsvc.temple.edu/GradApp/default.htm.

Or call 717-232-6400 and request a hard copy application be sent to you.

All application materials should be sent to:

Temple University Harrisburg,
Graduate Admissions,
234 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Deadlines:

Completed applications are accepted year round and are processed as they are received (except during

• Fall Semester - April 1
• Spring Semester - October 1
• Summer - May 1

Teaching Certifications

Intern Certificate

The GCP provides the academic training and practical experiences necessary to earn teaching certification. Students may first earn an Intern Certificate. The Intern Certificate is a temporary teaching certificate that expires three years from issuance and is valid only in the state of Pennsylvania. The Intern Certificate is not renewable. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents (except for Foreign Language students.) The requirements for the Intern Certificate are as follows:

Career and Technical Education

• Available upon promise of employment from a school district and completion of statutory requirements.
• Pass: All sections of Praxis I and required sections of Praxis II (see below).
• Pass: Criminal background test, child abuse clearance, and tuberculosis test.

Elementary Specialization

• Complete with a grade of B or better:
• Education 403 - Effective Teaching: Theory and Practice
• Education 413 - Practicum in Teaching
• Education 406 - Supervised Teaching
• Education 412 - Seminar in Supervised Teaching
• Two pedagogy (i.e., teaching methods) courses. (A total of 18 s.h.)
• Pass: All sections of Praxis I and required sections of Praxis II.
• Pass: Criminal check of State of Pennsylvania, child abuse clearance, and tuberculosis test.

Special Education

• Complete with a grade of B or better:
• Education 403 - Effective Teaching: Theory and Practice.
• Education 413 - Practicum in Teaching
• Pedagogy Courses (i.e., teaching methods) courses
• Pass: All sections of Praxis I and required sections of Praxis II.
• Pass: Criminal check of State of Pennsylvania, child abuse clearance, and tuberculosis test.

Instructional I Certification

In order to receive Instructional I Certification, students must complete all courses in the program, pass all required sections of PRAXIS I and II, pass a tuberculosis test and receive child abuse and background clearances of the State of Pennsylvania. In addition those individuals completing Supervised Teaching after September 1, 2003 will have to pass a statewide performance evaluation and inventory based on Department of Education guidelines. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents (except for Foreign Language students.)

Once the Temple certification officer receives a certification application, it takes about two weeks to process it. It takes approximately another six to eight weeks for the process to be completed at the State level. Students frequently wish to know the reciprocity of Pennsylvania certification with other states. Inquiries should be addressed to Ms. Marjorie Blaze, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 717-783-9252.

Extending Certification

Students holding certification in one area of teaching sometimes wish to extend certification to ano

• Students will take any necessary prerequisite courses in their desired new area of certification.
• Students will take all necessary core and pedagogy courses not previously in the student´s background.
• Students will pass the required specialty area on the PRAXIS II.
• Students will not be required to take another semester of Supervised Teaching.

Summary of PRAXIS Examinations

The PRAXIS consists of a series of examinations used by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Education to assess whether an individual possesses the necessary skills to become an effective teacher. The PRAXIS I Examinations consist of three individual tests, Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. PRAXIS II evaluates a student´s knowledge in her or his specialty area. Due to the admissions requirements of the GCP, all students admitted to the program will have passed PRAXIS I. Depending on their specialty area, students will have PRAXIS II requirements in order to receive the Instructional I certificate.

For general information on the PRAXIS Examinations, including the most recent Pennsylvania requirements, students are also encouraged to discuss the PRAXIS tests with their advisors and to either visit the Department of Education website at www.state.pa.us.gov.us or call The Pennsylvania Office of Teacher Certification at (717) 787-3356. Students may obtain information on testing dates and locations from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at www.ets.org. The ETS website also provides examples of the required test items through a link to Tests at a Glance. Students may take paper and pencil versions of PRAXIS tests at specific times and locations. Students seeking Temple assistance for the PRAXIS Examinations should call the Student Services Office, 238 Ritter Annex, and (215) 204-8011. Mr. Jeremy Wagner is available to answer specific questions, on the examinations, (215) 204-6010, jwagner@temple.edu, Ritter Annex 247.

It is crucial that students pay close attention to test requirements, test codes, and registration information in order to avoid taking the wrong examinations and having their teaching certification delayed. The Appendix provides a resource list for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The PRAXIS II Examination requirements for the Intern and Instructional I certificates are as follow

Career & Technical Education PRAXIS II

Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge Test (2 hrs.) for people seeking K-12 certification. (Business, Computer, and Information Technology; Marketing Education). Specialty Test (Business, Marketing, or Vocational General Knowledge) (2 hrs. the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or). (In addition Industrial - Education students must pass the Occupational Competency Assessment of Praxis I.)

Elementary Education PRAXIS II

• Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge Test (2 hrs.)
• Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (2 hrs.)

Special Education PRAXIS II

• Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge Test (2 hrs.)
• Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge (2 hrs)

Practicum and Supervised Teaching

Early in their program, all GCP students should register for Ed. 403 and Ed. 413. Ed. 413 consists of a practicum and provides an opportunity to work with students in a school setting. Except during the semester in which students do their supervised teaching, GCP students are not required to be available during the daytime hours (i.e., they may retain their present employment.)

Students in all tracks must register for Ed. 406 - Supervised Teaching during the semester in which they are doing full-time supervised teaching. Students in the Career & Technical, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education tracks must also register for Education 412 - Seminar in Supervised Teaching the same semester. During this semester students will be teaching full-time on a daily basis. Such activities take place only during the fall or spring semesters. During the semester of Supervised Teaching, students will receive assignments from and be observed and supervised by a Temple faculty member. Students who obtain paid teaching positions are eligible to be observed at the school in which they are teaching. Long-term substituting positions are acceptable Supervised Teaching arrangements. Daily substituting at different locations is not an acceptable teaching arrangement. Students who do not acquire paid teaching positions will be placed by Temple at an appropriate teaching site where they will work with a cooperating teacher, but will not be paid for their teaching activities. These students will also receive assignments and be supervised by a Temple faculty member. A requirement for doing supervised teaching is that students must have passed all necessary sections of Praxis II. (In addition Industrial Education students must pass the Occupational Competency Assessment of Praxis I.)

Each of the tracks has specific prerequisites for Supervised Teaching. A minimum of one semester in advance of enrolling in Supervised Teaching, students must register on-line (https://mdev.temple.edu/coe/), declaring their intention to do Supervised Teaching This is in addition to the normal registration procedure for all courses. The final step in the process is to obtain the advisor´s signature. A student may register for Supervised Teaching as far as one year in advance. All students in Supervised Teaching will have a $50. University fee added to their semester bills.

Advisors

Upon being admitted to the GCP, students will be assigned a faculty advisor in their teaching areas Shortly after being admitted, students should make an appointment with their advisors to plan their programs.

Retention in the Program

A student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward attaining a Master´s in Education degree. Graduate students at Temple University:

• May earn no more than two grades of less than B- quality, beginning with the semester during which they apply to the Graduate School;
• May receive no more than one grade of "F," beginning with the semester during which they apply to the Graduate School;
• Must have at least a 3.0 grade point average at graduation;
• Must register for at least one course every fall and spring semester.
• May not graduate with an incomplete or a Not Recorded on their graduate record at Temple.