How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in Pennsylvania

Elementary school teachers set the foundation for the rest of a child’s academic career. They’re a child’s first impression of school. They teach students how to read and write and how to learn and work with others.

There’s a strong job market for elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania, with the U.S. Department of Labor projecting more than 3,600 openings every year for teachers at this level.

If you’re interested in becoming an elementary school teacher in PA, keep reading to learn more about the requirements and the steps you could take to earn your certification and launch your teaching career.

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in Pennsylvania

Elementary school teachers will need to meet a few specific requirements to ensure they’re ready to support young learners (passing specific certification exams, for example). But in many ways, the steps to becoming an elementary school teacher are the same as those to becoming a middle or high school teacher. Teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a completed Educator Preparation Program (EPP), passing scores on the required certification tests, and a clear background check.

For an overview of the process — including information on certificate types and testing requirements in the Keystone State — check out our How to Become a Certified Teacher in Pennsylvania guide.

What Do You Need to Be an Elementary School Teacher in Pennsylvania?

These are the main requirements to become an elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Completed Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
• Passing scores on the required certification exams
• Clear background check

The timeline depends on your starting point. Let’s say you’re a soon-to-be high school graduate, and you’ve dreamed of becoming a teacher your entire life. Your most likely path is to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from a 4-year college or university.

Or, maybe you’re a potential career changer. You have a bachelor’s degree in social work plus five years of experience working with community nonprofits. But, after volunteering at your child’s school, you realize you have a passion for teaching and serving your community in that arena, and that’s the direction you want to take your career.

The good news is you don’t have to go back to school full-time, and you don’t have to start over on a new bachelor’s degree. You could complete a graduate-level EPP and earn your certification much faster. At this point, your timeline will vary based on the program you choose. Some take several years while others are faster. Moreland University’s online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months.

Steps to Becoming an Elementary School Teacher in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers multiple paths to certification to support teachers with different backgrounds and at different career stages.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Pathways

One of the main steps toward earning your certification is completing an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). You can complete an EPP as part of your bachelor’s degree (typically a 4-year path), or, if you already have a degree in another field, you can complete a graduate-level program.

You can also choose between an in-state or out-of-state EPP. If you go the in-state route, Pennsylvania has a list of approved providers. If you choose an out-of-state EPP, you’ll use Pennsylvania’s Educator Preparation Program Verification Form when you apply for your certificate.

It comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. What are you hoping to get out of your EPP? Here are a few questions you may want to consider:

• Do you prefer in-person or online classes?
• What’s your timeline?
• When would you like to start (some programs follow a traditional school calendar while others offer more regular or even monthly start dates)?
• How much is tuition?
• What’s the expected workload? Will you be able to maintain a full-time job along with your studies?

Once you determine your priorities, you can choose the program that best fits your needs.

Steps to Certification in Pennsylvania

Below is an example of the steps you could take to become a certified elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania.

• Earn a bachelor’s degree. Again, this degree does not have to be in education. Pennsylvania welcomes career changers with degrees and backgrounds in non-education fields.
• Complete an EPP. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program can be completed in 9 months. Since this is an out-of-state program in PA, you’ll use the Educator Preparation Program Verification Form when you apply for your certificate.
• Pass the required exams for elementary school teachers. This will include tests on general knowledge, professional knowledge, and subject-area knowledge. As an elementary teacher, you’ll need to be well-versed in multiple subject areas.
• Clear a background check.
• Apply for your certification. This process involves submitting official transcripts, exam scores, and background checks, along with paying the application fee.

Can You Become an Elementary School Teacher in Pennsylvania Without a Teaching Degree?

Absolutely! Pennsylvania needs more teachers, and career changers are a big component of the solution. If you’re passionate about helping children, if you’re eager to support and encourage them as they learn, teaching could be a great career.

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Take the next step in your career with Moreland University. Earn your teaching certification in as little as 9 months or your certification plus an M.Ed. in as little as 12 months. Our programs are accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates.

Apply for free (the application only takes about 15 minutes), and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.