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Holy Family

Degree Programs in Education

All graduates of programs in the School of Education are expected to:

  • Commit to lifelong intellectual growth by demonstrating initiative as a learner and providing evidence of a vibrant intellectual life
  • Apply University core values and ethical principles
  • Collaborate with colleagues in professional education communities
  • Demonstrate content knowledge in their field of study and the effective use of technology for learning and teaching
  • Meet the standards of the profession and continually improve their performance of professional responsibilities
  • Implement or facilitate constructivist teaching.

General Requirements

New Pennsylvania Teacher Certificates will be issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education starting on January 1, 2013. New certificates will be issued for all programs in Pre K‑4 and Middle Level 4‑8. All other K‑12 and Secondary Education 7‑12 certifications have been revised to include additional coursework in Special Education and the Teaching of English Language Learners. The Special Education Pre K-8 and Special Education 7-12 certifications must be coupled with either a Pre K-4, a Middle Level 4-8, a K-12, or a secondary certification area.

All students who wish to enroll in the professional educator programs at Holy Family University are required to file an application and be formally admitted to the School of Education when they have met the requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (usually within the first 48 credits of their university coursework). At the time of application, the student should make an appointment with a faculty advisor. Students who have not completed the necessary requirements for admission within the first 48 credits of their university work may require an additional summer or semester of coursework. Students should also review with the advisor at the time of the first interview the program requirements listed in the School of Education Handbook and the Guide to Undergraduate Teacher Certification (See also the University website, http://www.holyfamily.edu, and Policy Manual VIII-D).

Requirements for Entry into the Professional Educator Programs at Holy Family University:

  1. Applicants to the professional educator program must have completed a minimum of 48 semester credit hours of university-level coursework.
  2. All students must submit to the Field Placement Office (ETC 441 or ETC 442) a current TB test, PA Child Abuse Clearance (ACT 151), PA Criminal Background Check (ACT 34), Federal Criminal History Records (ACT 114/Fingerprinting), and a completed Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (ACT 24) as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  3. Applicants to the professional educator program must have attained passing scores on the following Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) modules to enroll in Junior level certification coursework:
    • PAPA: Reading
    • PAPA: Writing
    • PAPA: Mathematics
    • On the day of testing, students should list Holy Family University and PDE as score recipients.
  4. Students admitted to the School of Education after September 1, 2003 must earn a GPA of at least 2.8 to enter the Junior level certification program and a GPA of at least 3.0 to exit the State of Pennsylvania certification program.
  5. Applicants to the professional educator program must have completed at least six semester credits in university-level Mathematics, with a minimum grade of C and at least six semester credits in university-level English Composition and English Literature with a minimum grade of C.
  6. Applicants to the professional educator program must present two recommendation forms that have been completed by faculty members from Holy Family University or recommendation letters from faculty members from another college or university they have attended.

Transfer Students

All transfer students who wish to enroll in the professional educator programs at Holy Family University are required to file an application to the certification program when they have met the necessary requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. At the time of application, the student should make an appointment with an Education or Admissions advisor. Before being admitted to a professional educator program at Holy Family University, transfer applicants must:

  1. Complete a minimum of 48 semester credit hours of university-level coursework
  2. Submit to the Field Placement Office (ETC 441 or ETC 442) a current TB test, PA Child Abuse Clearance (ACT 151), PA Criminal Background Check (ACT 34), Federal Criminal History Records (ACT 114/Fingerprinting), and a completed Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (ACT 24) as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
  3. Achieve passing scores on the following Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) modules:
    • PAPA: Reading
    • PAPA: Writing
    • PAPA: Mathematics
  4. Have earned a GPA of at least 2.8 for entrance to and 3.0 for exit from the State of Pennsylvania certification program
  5. Have completed at least six semester credits in university-level Mathematics, with a minimum grade of C and at least six semester credits in university-level English Composition and English Literature with a minimum grade of C
  6. Present two recommendation forms that have been completed by faculty members from Holy Family University or recommendation letters from faculty members from another college or university they have attended.

Education courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

In this section

Additional Pennsylvania Department of Education Test Requirements

Field Experience Requirements

Professional Semester/Student Teaching

Intern Student Teaching

Teacher Certification Changes

Graduate Help and Assistance for Teachers-GRAD HAT

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification