Teacher Education Frequently Asked Questions
I'm from another state. Am I able to get my teaching certification through Drexel's online program?
After successfully completing Drexel's Pennsylvania Department of Education approved teacher preparation program, receiving passing grades on all required Praxis Exams, and submitting the required Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Application to the School of Education, you will receive your Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate. Through operation of interstate reciprocity agreements, a Pennsylvania teaching certificate may then be converted to the analogous teaching certificate in another state. Once you are certified in Pennsylvania you may send your credentials/transcripts for evaluation to the State Department of Education of your choice. Please note that some states may require a licensing exam and/or additional course work prior to obtaining that state's teacher certificate. We recommend that prospective students contact their state's Department of Education prior to enrolling in any of Drexel's programs to find out what these requirements are. Click here to find out more about reciprocity and your state's requirements.
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I'm not a U.S. citizen but I want to receive my teaching certification. Am I able to complete this program?
To qualify for state certification you must be a U.S. citizen or declare your intent to become a U.S. citizen. If you are seeking state certification but are not a U.S. citizen, you must enclose a notarized copy of your permanent immigrant visa, which permits you to seek employment within the United States. Additionally, with the exception of foreign language teachers, you must intend to become a citizen and file a notarized form titled, "Declaration of Intent to Become a Citizen of the United States" (part of Foreign Supplement Package available from the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation).
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What steps does someone with an international degree take to apply to the online education programs?
In addition to the general admissions requirements, anyone who has been born outside of the United States is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have an official score report (indicating a minimum score of 550) sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Drexel University before their file is evaluated.
TOEFL scores must be less than two years old to be considered. Information regarding the TOEFL can be obtained by contacting:
Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ 08541
609-921-9000, or 609-771-7100
http://www.toefl.org
In addition, international students are required to list on their application all schools attended, including primary and secondary schools. Along with your application, you must enclose official transcripts (mark sheets and degree certificates) in your native language and in English from all colleges and graduate/ professional schools that you attended. Do not send transcripts from secondary schools. If your school issues only one transcript for life, you may send a notarized photocopy, bearing the seal on each page.
Applicants are responsible for contacting World Education Service for evaluation of transcripts:
World Education Service, Inc. (WES)
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745
212-966-6311
http://www.wes.org
Applicants are responsible for supplying all necessary documentation.
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What certification programs are offered at Drexel University?
Drexel offers students who hold bachelor's degrees the option to become teachers in Elementary Education (K-6) and/or Secondary Education (in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, Environmental Education, General Science, Mathematics, and Physics). For those students who already have their teaching license, we also offer four add-on certification programs: Instructional Technology Specialist, Teaching English as a Second Language, Special Education and Principal's Certification (must be completed within the MS in Educational Administration).
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What additional content courses will I need for certification in a certain subject area?
Once you have applied to the program, an advisor will review your transcripts to determine if any undergraduate coursework is missing, and which additional content courses you will be required to take. Find out more about the undergraduate content courses for elementary certification and secondary certification.
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I do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement for admission. Can I still apply?
The 3.0 GPA requirement is set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Individuals with below the 3.0 GPA requirement are considered strictly on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the School of Education at 215-895-6770 to speak to a graduate advisor.
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Are GRE scores required for admission into Drexel’s education programs?
Drexel does not require GRE scores for any of its online K-12 education programs.
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Will I ever be required to come to Drexel's campus in Philadelphia for any of the online education programs?
No. The only program requirements that will completed offline are the field experiences and observations for the teacher certification programs. This requirement will be arranged conveniently in your area by the School of Education.
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What is the field experience required for the teacher certification programs and how does it work?
Once a student submits all required clearances (PA requires FBI, Child Abuse, Criminial History, and TB), a Field Experience Coordinator from Drexel's School of Education will arrange a school-based, field placement related to their area of certification in the location where they live or work. Students are required to spend full-time, 12 weeks under the supervision of a certified teacher. Once Drexel locates an acceptable site, they will work with the school's principal and certified teacher regarding meeting the course's objectives/goals. Students will videotape themselves teaching and send the Field Experience Coordinator tapes periodically for evaluation. In addition, students will be required to complete the required hours of regular in-class observations and fieldwork in most core pedagogy courses.
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I'm a U.S. citizen, but am currently living outside of the country. Am I able to participate in this program and if so how will the field experience be completed?
Yes. Students who are contemplating completing the field experience requirement outside of the United States must make arrangements to student teach in a U.S. affiliated school, such as on an Army base, under the guidance of a U.S. fully certified teacher at the grade level and subject appropriate for the intended area of certification. The cooperating teacher needs to be certified in the U.S. with a minimum of 3 years teaching experience in the area of certification being pursued. All international field placments will be arranged by the School of Education's Field Placement Coordinator (depending on availability of approved schools meeting state/international requirements).
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Do you accept transfer credits into any of Drexel's online education programs?
No - The School of Education does not accept transfer credits for any core pedagogy courses.
Exception - The School of Education will review your transcripts to see if you can transfer any credits towards your professional electives in the MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: Teacher Certification Program.
Will I be automatically certified to teach after I complete the program?
No. Once a student successfully completes Drexel's Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved teacher preparation program, they must pass and submit the appropriate Praxis I and II exams for their area of study. Once all certification requirements are completed, students submit their Pennsylvania Instructional I application to Drexel's Certification Office who will review and recommend the candidate to the Pennsylvania State Board. Click here for further information about the Praxis exams.
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How many hours per week does a student generally spend on coursework for the online education programs?
Based on student feedback, we have found that generally students spend about 6-9 hours per week on online coursework, readings, and exams depending on study habits. Most core pedagogy courses require up to 20 hours of observations and/or fieldwork per course.
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How long does it take to complete the online education programs?
The time to complete each program depends on how many graduate courses a student takes per quarter and how many undergraduate courses a student needs to complete. Generally, students seeking financial aid take 2 courses per quarter due to family and work commitments. Students not receiving financial aid may take as few or as many courses as they want per term, as long as the program is completed within 7 years. If you plan to study part-time, and you work full-time, the School of Education recommends you take no more than 2 courses per term.
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Can I take just one or two classes from any of the education programs without being fully enrolled in the program?
Yes. The School of Education will allow qualified students to take up to 12 credits under the non-matriculated, non-degree seeking status. Students are not permitted to apply for or student teach as a non-matriculated student.
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How will I become certified in a specific subject area if each of the seven teacher certificate courses focus on general education and pedagogy?
To become certified to teach in a particular area, such as Elementary Education or Secondary Math, there are required content courses that the student will have to have successfully completed before earning their certification. These courses may have been completed through the student's undergraduate study, but if not, the student must complete these courses before they can obtain their certification. Once a student is accepted into Drexel's teacher certification program, an advisor will review their official transcripts and determine what content courses they will be required to take. These courses can be completed before or during Drexel's program and can be completed at another school if pre-approved by graduate advisor. To view a list of the content courses that are required for your particular concentration area, please visit the School of Education's Elementary or Secondary Content Course Pages.
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Does Drexel University offer a Bachelor's in Education program online?
Yes. You can view more information regarding the Bachelor's in Education by visiting the program pages on our website.
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Will I be able to obtain my teaching certification through the Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate or the Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate programs online?
No. These programs are strictly add-on certificates for already certified teachers and will not lead to initial certification. TESL is an PA add-on certificate for certified elementary, secondary foreign language, or secondary english teachers. The ITS certificate can be a stand alone or add-on certificate.
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What is the difference between the Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate program and the Post Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate program?
These two programs are identical except that the Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate is for students looking to earn a temporary teaching certificate. Students applying for a PA Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate can begin teaching within 9 months to 1 year while they finish the remaining requirements for licensure. Also, the Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate program is open only to students that intend on teaching in Pennsylvania while the Post Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate program is open to all students.
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Are there any available tuition discounts for employees or members of partnering school districts, corporations, health systems, or associations?
Yes. Drexel has a large network of partners all over the country who benefit from reduced tuition rates. To find out if your employer or association is one of Drexel's partners, please contact us toll-free at 877-215-0009, via email at info@drexel.com, or by visiting Drexel e-Learning's Partner Network Page.
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