PDE Approved Certification Programs

To prepare teachers who embrace learning and dedicate themselves to service and leadership in the profession.  

Education Department programs reflect teacher candidate competencies established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) professional practice standards. The program graduate will:

• understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences
• use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards
• work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation
• understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content
• understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues
• understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making
• plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context
• understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways
• engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner
• seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession

Students seeking admission into Waynesburg University’s teacher preparation programs (Pennsylvania State Certification) may, upon admission to the University, declare Early Childhood Education PreK-4 as their certification area. 

• Early Childhood Education PreK-4 majors may elect a curriculum track that provides an additional certification in special education.

Students must apply for formal admission into the Education Department during the second semester of the sophomore year or no later than the semester that the student will accumulate 60 credit hours on transcript. Admission applications are reviewed by the faculty; admission decisions are made at the end of the sophomore year or at the end of the semester when 60 credits are recorded on transcript. Consistent with Pennsylvania Department of Education mandates, formal admission to the Education Department will not occur until students have met the following criteria:

• Satisfactory FBI Federal Criminal History Record Clearance (Fingerprint)
• Satisfactory Pennsylvania General Assembly Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Clearance
• Satisfactory Pennsylvania General Assembly Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Record Clearance
• TB Tine Test Negative Results
• Minimum of 48 hours of approved course work listed on transcript
• 3.0 cumulative GPA with a grade of C or higher in Education Department courses
• Six credits of college math on transcript
• Three credits of English composition and three credits of English literature on transcript
• Active membership in Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA)
• Formal application

Admission to the student teaching semester requires the following additional criteria:

• 3.0 cumulative GPA

The pass rate results of students who have completed the teacher education program at a Waynesburg University and have taken Praxis assessments required to gain a Pennsylvania instructional certificate are available at the Title II website.  Follow this link to examine the pass rates for students completing basic skills and certification exams:

https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Report/StateHome.aspx