Secondary Education

The Undergraduate Teacher Education Program prepares students to teach at the secondary, 7-12 level.  The UTEP major requires 37 credits in Education courses and from 36-56 credits in content area Liberal Arts & Sciences courses which the Department requires to satisfy the Pennsylvania Academic Standards in each teaching area. Education majors take the same classes as other Liberal Arts majors, and may qualify to graduate with a double major (see education plans). To complete the certification program, candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass state required tests, and demonstrate their abilities in the classroom in a series of field experiences (complete details follow). Pennsylvania is one of 46 states party to an interstate agreement that enables certified candidates to teach in other states.

The goal of the Villanova Teacher Education Program is to prepare confident, inspired, and caring educators who will lead professional lives exemplifying the intellectual and moral ideals embodied in the Catholic mission of Villanova University. The teacher certification program draws special inspiration from St. Augustine, who portrays teaching and learning in his classic work, De Magistro, as the joint venture of teachers and students united in mind and heart in the pursuit of truth.

Each of our secondary teacher education certification programs are designed with the purpose of preparing candidates to not only meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification requirements, but to be highly qualify teachers in their selected content area.  Our rigorous curriculum provides candidates with the knowledge specific to their content area as well as professional education.

The teacher education program seeks to nurture in students the capacity for critical thinking as well as the dispositions of intellectual curiosity, humility, and a commitment to social justice reflected in the ability to advocate for one’s students. As reflective practitioners whose work is grounded in theory, graduates of our programs are well prepared to serve the diverse and individualized needs of their students, inspiring them to lifelong learning.

Secondary Education candidates may declare to be an education major in their first year.  The Declare Major form can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Studies Student Forms and Policy page.

Students need to apply to the Pennsylvania Certification Program within the Department of Education and Counseling as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PDE, and first step in becoming a certified teacher.  

PDE requires students to have:

• completed 48 credits
• a minimal 3.0 GPA
• six credits in English
• six credits in mathematics
• two recommendations from professors 

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to student teach.  

Students will be eligible for PA Certification once the following requirements have been met:

• Successful completion of all course work specific to student's content area.  Please see content area program sheets.
• Earn a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA

To be recomended for certification students must:

• Have a final 3.0 GPA
• Pass the state-required Praxis exams
• Satisfactory performance in their field experiences including a minimal B- in student teaching
• Successful creation of a presentation electronic portfolio

To obtain PA Instructional I Teacher Certification students must take and earn qualifying scores* on the PAPA/Basic Skill Test and on all Subject Area tests for specific instruction areas.

*PA uses the GPA sliding scale.
PA Certification Test Score Requirements 

Basic Skills Tests:

You may not need to take the Basic Skills, PAPA Test if your SAT/ACT meet the required scores.  Please see below.  If SAT/ACT scores to not meet the qualifying score then students must take the Basic Skills Tests.

Basic Skills Test Scores

Praxis testing is done through ETS testing service.  Below are the current tests required by the state of Pennsylvania.  When you register for your Praxis test, please request to have your scores sent to both Villanova University and PDE.

Student Teaching Handbook 

Pennsylvania participates in the Interstate Agreement - National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.  However, each state may have a few additional requirements.   Below is a chart of states and their requirements.

It is recommended you check your home state’s department of education for the most up to date requirements in the second semester of your junior year.

NASDTEC State Certification Information.pdf

Villanova graduates are respected education professionals in this area and in neighboring states. This department and Career Services work cooperatively to help graduates secure employment in school districts of their choice. Pennsylvania teachers have a starting salary of over $41,000, with average overall salaries of over $60,000. Schools in area districts also offer excellent benefits and opportunities for continuing education. Teaching offers a life of purpose and vision. The opportunity to educate future generations is a great responsibility. Teachers continue to lead the polls of America's most respected professionals. Villanova's graduates are prepared with at least 36 credits in their teaching areas, and with the addition of the solid liberal arts Core Curriculum, qualify for the federal designation of "Highly Qualified."