How to Become a High School Teacher in Pennsylvania
Published: | by Hannah Sparling
Teaching high school is a genuinely rewarding career. You’re the last stop for grade-school students before they transition to college or their own jobs and careers. Many of your students will remember you for the rest of their lives.
If your goal is to teach high school in Pennsylvania, keep reading to learn more about the rules, requirements, and the steps you could take to earn your certification. The good news is, this is a highly achievable goal. In fact, if you’re a career changer looking to pivot, you could be a certified Pennsylvania teacher in as little as 9 months.
Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in Pennsylvania
High school teachers will earn a specific certificate in Pennsylvania depending on the subject and grades they want to teach. For example, there are certificates to teach 7-12th grade English, 7-12 mathematics, 7-12 biology, and more. Your certificate type influences the tests you’ll need to pass to earn your license.
From a higher level, though, high school teachers in Pennsylvania follow the same basic steps to certification as teachers at the elementary and middle school levels. For an overview of the process, including info on certificate types and testing requirements, check out our How to Become a Certified Teacher in Pennsylvania Guide.
What Do You Need to Be a High School Teacher in Pennsylvania?
Here’s a quick look at the core requirements for high school teacher certification in the Keystone State:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Completed Educator Preparation Program (EPP), including student teaching
- Passing scores on the required certification exams (more on this below)
- Clear state and federal background checks
The timeline to earning your certification depends on your starting point. If you’re a high school graduate, plan for about four years to complete your bachelor’s degree in education.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you could earn your certification much faster through an alternative EPP. Some EPPs still take a couple of years, but others are accelerated. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, for example, can be completed in just 9 months, including student teaching.
Steps to Becoming a High School Teacher in Pennsylvania
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the certification process in PA.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete an EPP. This could be part of your undergraduate degree or, if you already have a degree in something other than education, this could be an alternative graduate-level EPP like TEACH-NOW.
- Complete your student teaching (clinical learning). This will be part of your EPP, generally at the end of your program.
- Pass the required certification exams. Specific exams will vary depending on the subject and grades you wish to teach, but tests are generally broken down into three main categories: general knowledge, professional knowledge, and subject area knowledge.
- Clear your background checks at the state and federal levels.
- Apply for your certificate online.
Can You Become a High School Teacher in Pennsylvania Without a Teaching Degree?
Yes! Pennsylvania welcomes career changers and aspiring educators with degrees in other fields. At the high school level, especially, your experience in another field could be hugely relevant and helpful to your students who are considering their own career paths.
If you’re passionate about teaching and ready to make a positive difference in student lives, you’ll find plenty of support in Pennsylvania to help you make the move.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Earn your Pennsylvania teaching certificate in as little as 9 months with Moreland University. Our TEACH-NOW program is accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates.
Here’s what you can expect:
- 1 live virtual class each week (you choose the day/time of your class)
- ~ 12-15 hours per week
- 9 months total
- Clinical learning (student teaching) included at the end of your program
To learn more, join an upcoming information session or click here to book a 1:1 chat with our team. We’re happy to discuss options and answer any questions you may have.
