Exploring the Teaching Field

Earning a PA Teaching Certificate

Preparing for a Masters Program

Considering Teaching Options without Standard Certification

There are several ways for students with a bachelors degree to begin teaching careers without standard certification. Most states have provisions for alternative and/or emergency certification so that they can hire uncertified teachers temporarily. The emergency option allows individuals to complete certification by attending graduate school part-time while working.

Many independent schools do not require certification, and teacher corps programs provide training for their employees.

Alternative Certification Options

National Association for Alternative Certification
NAAC seeks to expand the options available to individuals to achieve certification for teaching or administration at the elementary or secondary level.

National Center for Alternative Teacher Certification Information
NCATCI is a not-for-profit foundation that provides consultation to state departments of education, school districts, regional educational entities, state and federal legislators, and any partnership or group desiring to learn more about eliminating teacher shortages by envisioning entirely new paradigms of teacher education via alternative routes to teacher and administrative certification.

Emergency Certification

Independent Schools

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Pittsburgh Area Independent Schools Teachers Association (PAISTA)

Other Programs

Teach for America
A national teacher corps program that places recent college graduates of all majors with baccalaureate degrees in 2-year positions in urban and rural public schools.

Americorps
The domestic Peace Corps engages more than 40,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service each year.