Teacher Programs and Teacher Certifications

Our teacher education programs prepare highly qualified teachers, ready to transform education using student-centered practices in a variety of school settings. All programs emphasize our commitments to diversity and equity, practice, and inquiry. Learn more about the Collaboratory for Teacher Education at Penn GSE, home to our teacher education programs and our research in teacher education.

Master's Degree Programs in Teaching

Our several degree and certification programs are united by their extraordinary commitment to the preparation of teachers who are able to bring research and practice together so as to be able to use the power of teaching to deepen student learning, transform schools, and increase educational equity.

Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program (UTAP)

Earn initial Pre-K-12 certification in 10 months while apprenticing in an experienced teacher’s classroom in a wide range of schools in Philadelphia.

M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education + Pennsylvania PreK-4 Certification
M.S.Ed. in Middle Level Education + Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Certification
M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education + Pennsylvania Grades 7-12 Certification

Urban Teaching Residency Program

Earn Pre-K-12 certification in 2 years while working as a teacher, teacher’s aide, or Teach for America Corps member in an urban school in Philadelphia.

Master of Science in Education
Teaching Certification in Pennsylvania
General Education Certification or Special Education (dual) Certification

Independent School Teaching Residency

Become a teacher for grades 7-12 in an independent day or boarding school in a program that combines a 2-year, school-based fellowship with weekend and summer classes.

Master of Science in Education

M.S.Ed. in Literacy Studies

Study literacy and language from sociopolitical, cultural, psychological, historical, linguistic, and literacy perspectives in this interdisciplinary program. Internships in schools and community and social service agencies allow you to work with learners across generations and cultures.

M.S.Ed. in Literacy Studies

M.S.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Gain extensive hands-on experience in becoming a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in Philadelphia-area community settings and schools.

M.S.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Continuing Education

Penn GSE offers continuing education and professional development through additional certifications and certificate programs.

Additional Pennsylvania Certifications

Special Education
TESOL/Bilingual
Reading Specialist
Principal Certification (Within Penn GSE's School Leadership Program)

Additional Certificate Offerings at Penn GSE

Professional Development Opportunities

Teaching in Philadelphia

TeachPHL is a resource for educators looking to work in Philadelphia.

Choosing a Teaching Program

Our programs are best for people who wish to...	Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Earn initial Pre-K-12 certification in 10 months while apprenticing in an experienced teacher’s classroom in a wide range of schools in Philadelphia.	Urban Teaching Residency Earn Pre-K-12 certification in 2 years while working as a teacher, teacher’s aide, or TFA Corps member in an urban school in Philadelphia.	Independent School Teaching Residency Become a teacher for grades 7-12 in an independent day or boarding school in a program that combines a 2-year, school-based fellowship with weekend and summer classes.
Engage in student teaching	✓
Obtain PA certification	✓	✓
Learn while working as an employee in a school		✓	✓
Assigned an experienced mentor	✓	✓	✓
Teach in an urban public or charter school	✓	✓
Teach in an independent or private school		✓	✓
Earn a master’s degree	✓	✓	✓
Submatriculate into an M.S.Ed. program* *A special option available to Penn, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore juniors and seniors.	✓

All of our teacher education programs lead to a master’s degree.

	Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Earn initial Prek-12 certification in 10 months, while apprenticing in an experienced teacher’s classroom in wide range of schools in Philadelphia.	Urban Teaching Residency Earn Prek-12 certification while working as a teacher, teacher’s aide, or TFA Corps member in an urban school in Philadelphia.	Independent School Teaching Residency Become a teacher for grades 7-12 in an independent day or boarding school in a program that combines a 2-year, school-based fellowship with weekend and summer classes.
Program Length	10 months	2 years	2 years
Grade Level Options This program prepares you to teach one or more of these grade levels	Pre-K-4 4-8 7-12	Pre-K-4 4-8 7-12	7-12
Student Teaching How do I complete student teaching?	Apprentice Train in a mentor teacher’s classroom as a student teacher	Teacher-of-Record or Teacher’s Assistant Full-time student teaching in a 9th semester	Apprentice or Teacher-of-Record Work in one of our partner independent schools
Certification	PA Instructional I	PA Instructional I	None State certification is not necessary to teach in an Independent School.
Unique Features	Specialty options in Design Thinking, Project-based Learning, and STEM Inquiry	M.S.Ed. in Urban Education Designed for working educators	Collaboratively created and run with independent schools Executive format Combines intensive week/weekend sessions with online and school-based learning experiences.

	Urban Education Minor Learn about issues in urban education, with the option to earn your teaching certification as part of your undergraduate degree.	Submatriculation Get started on an M.S.Ed. in the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship program prior to graduation with this special option available to Penn, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore juniors and seniors.
Program Length	7 undergraduate courses	10 graduate courses (2 courses while you’re an undergrad)
Concentrations	Elementary/Middle Years Education Secondary Education Urban Education, Policy & Practice	Elementary/Middle Years Education Secondary Education
Student Teaching How do I complete student teaching?	Apprentice Full-time student teaching in a 9th semester	Teacher-of-Record or Teacher’s Assistant Full-time student teaching when enrolled as a graduate student in the UTAP program
Certification	PA Instructional I	PA Instructional I + M.S.Ed.

Become a Teacher