What steps does someone with an international degree take to apply to the online education programs?
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 (Secondary) or PECT (PreK-4) Exams, and submitting the required TIMS Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Application to the PA Department of Education, you will be recommended to 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).
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) or (100 computer- based) 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 ServicePrinceton, NJ 08541609-921-9000, or 609-771-7100http://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 745Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745212-966-6311http://www.wes.org
Applicants are responsible for supplying all necessary documentation.
What certification programs are offered at Drexel University?
Drexel offers students who hold bachelor's degrees the option to become teachers in Elementary: Grades PreK-4 and/or Secondary Education (in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, English, Environmental Education, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies). 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). Initial and add-on teacher certification requirements vary state by state; applicants from outside of PA should consult with their state's Department of Education to determine if their state has an interstate reciprocity agreement with PA, and if there are any additional requirements to complete after receiving PA certification prior to securing teacher certification in their state.
What additional content courses will I need for certification in a certain subject area?
Each initial certification requires 12 to 18 undergraduate content courses specific to each certification. 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 Grades PreK-4 Certification and Secondary Certification.
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.
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.
Will I ever be required to come to Drexel's campus in Philadelphia for any of the online education programs?
No, online students are welcome and encouraged to attend program special events held on-campus and if not, students can attend those events virtually. Although, courses are offered completely online, certification require field experiences and observations for the teacher certification programs. These field experience requirements will be arranged conveniently in your area by the School of Education.
What are the types of field experiences required for the teacher certification programs and can I choose my own field placements?
There are four types of field experiences in K-12 classrooms required for certification embedded throughout the program/s:
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires approximately 130 hours of field experiences in addition to Graduate Student Teaching. Up to 40 hours of field experiences (except student teaching) may be transferred in from previous PK-12 school- based experiences.
Students should NOT take it upon themselves to arrange any field experience on their own, however students can list their desired school district on all field placement applications. Once a student submits all required clearances (PA requires FBI, Child Abuse, Criminal History, and TB) and the appropriate Observation or Field Placement Application (listing a preferred district), a Field Experience Coordinator from Drexel's School of Education's Field Placement Office (FPO) will make every effort to arrange a school-based, appropriate level/type of field placement related to their area of certification/course in the location reasonably close to where they live or work providing that the requested school meets PA State requirements. The School of Education's FPO must receive a confirmation for all field experiences from the School District's Field Placement office prior to allowing a student to enter into any school classroom.
For Graduate Student Teaching, students are required to spend full-time, a total 12 weeks under the supervision of a certified cooperating teacher and university supervisor. At a minimum 6 of the 12 weeks of student teaching must be located within a public or charter school. Once Drexel's FPO locates an acceptable site, students will work with the school's principal, university supervisor, and certified cooperating 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.
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 and is there anything else I should know to help me prepare?
Yes, but living overseas will make the following requirements not limited to field experiences much harder to complete:
1) Students who are contemplating completing the field experience requirement outside of the United States must contact the School of Education's Field Placement Office to be aware of the international deadline and procedures to submit their field placement application. All field experiences must be completed in a U.S. accredited school, or an approved international school whereby English is the language spoken n all classrooms and the school is following PA Department of Education and US Department of Education guidelines. Candidates should not have access to appropriate school settings for field placements which included working with students with special needs and students whose first language is not English. Typically students living overseas 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).
2) All PA certification candidates living overseas must submit the original PDE required Health form signed by a US Licensed Physician or US Licensed Physician's Assistant prior to completing the TIMS certification application.
3) PreK-4 students can only take the PECT exams in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico or Virgin Islands/
4) Any student (US Citizen or otherwise) living overseas or planning to move overseas should contact their advisor to discuss their situation prior to enrolling in the program or completing courses and certification requirements.
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 official transcripts for undergraduate content courses and the appropriate Praxis (Secondary) exams or PECT (preK-4) for their area of study to Drexel's School of Education. Once all certification requirements are completed, students submit their Pennsylvania Instructional I TIMS electronic application and TIMS cover letter (with Health form* and any other requested documentation) to PA Department of Education. Drexel's Certification Office who will review and recommend the candidate to the Pennsylvania State Board. Please be advised that all certification candidates must submit to the PA Department of Education the original TIMS Health form* signed by a US Licensed Physician or US Licensed Physician Assistant. Once the certification application is approved, candidates and prospective employers can log into the TIMS system to view the candidates certification status. Go to http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certifications/7199 for more information regarding PA certification and the TIMS electronic application.
Click here for further information about the Praxis exams. Click here for information regarding PECT exams
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.
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.
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.
How will I become certified in a specific area if each of the core Pedagogy courses focus on General Education and Pedagogy?
To become certified to teach in a particular area, such as PreK-4 or Secondary subject areas, in addition to core pedagogy and method courses there are specific required content courses for the type/subject area of certification that the student will have to have successfully completed before earning their certification. These content 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 which 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 PreK-4 or Secondary Content Course Page.
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 online education degree program on our website.
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, special education or secondary English teachers. The ITS certificate can be a stand-alone or add-on certificate.
What is the difference between the PA Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate program and the Post Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate program leading towards a PA Instructional I Certification?
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. Please be advised that the PA Intern Certification option is NOT available for PreK-4 or Secondary Social Studies.
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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