Program Overview Robert Morris University offers an Elementary Teacher Certification Preparation program for students who hold a bachelor's degree in any field. The program provides the coursework required for Pennsylvania state teacher certification for kindergarten through grade six. The program is based on the principles of developmentally appropriate practice to serve the needs of diverse populations of children through the development of active, constructive and collaborative learning experiences. Completion of the program requires a 16-week semester of supervised student teaching and the successful completion of all required Praxis examinations.

About the Program: Curriculum Career Opportunities Application Procedures Admission Requirements Admission to Teacher Certification Candidacy Program Advisement Program Location

If you wish to pursue the Master of Science in Instructional Leadership degree at RMU concurrently with the Elementary Teacher Certification Preparation program, you must apply for admission to the master's degree program and follow all graduate admission requirements and procedures. You also should notify the Graduate Admissions Office of your intention to pursue the two programs concurrently.

Curriculum
Experts cite a great demand for teachers who can teach computer skills to their students and make effective use of technology as a teaching tool in the classroom. However, research shows that only 15 percent of all teacher candidates nationwide receive adequate training in using technology in the classroom.

RMU's Elementary Teacher Certification Preparation program was designed to meet the new Pennsylvania standards for technology education as well as the National Education Technology Standards established by the International Society for Technology in Education.

If you hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education related field, you must meet the following requirements for elementary teacher certification in the state of Pennsylvania. The elementary education coordinator will evaluate your academic transcripts to determine which of the course requirements have already been met through previous study.

Career Opportunities
Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years should be excellent, mostly due to the large number of teachers expected to retire. It is projected that 1.7 to 2.7 million new public school teachers will be needed nationwide by 2008-09. Each year, more than 150,000 public school teachers are hired to replace teachers who have retired or left the profession, to fill new positions in growing school districts or to address special needs.

Teaching is a highly respected profession which provides a regular daily and weekly work schedule, time off each year, excellent benefits, job security and opportunities to continue your education. The salary range for teachers in the U.S. is $30,000 to $80,000 per year with an average salary of $45,771 per year.

Application Procedures
Students should submit the following credentials to the Graduate Admissions Office:

1. A completed application and a non-refundable $35 application fee. Or apply online for free.
2. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.

Admission Requirements
In order to qualify to begin studies at RMU, you must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA). If you do not meet this requirement, the elementary education coordinator may use other state-approved methods of calculating your GPA in order to determine if you qualify to begin studies. Students who then meet the GPA requirement will be permitted to enter the University on a conditional basis to begin taking courses.

Admission to Teacher Certification Candidacy
Once enrolled at the University, you will be required to submit the following items in order to be evaluated for teacher certification candidacy status:

1. Two letters of recommendation
2. Passing scores on the Praxis I (pre-professional skills test) in reading, writing and mathematics
3. All required Act 151 (33 and 34) clearances and FBI fingerprinting
4. All required immunization and health test records

In addition to these items, you will be evaluated to determine if you have fulfilled the state's academic course requirements, which include successful completion of:

• Six credits of college-level mathematics
• Three credits of college-level English composition
• Three credits of college-level children's literature

You must meet the above outlined admission criteria prior to being officially admitted to the teacher certification candidacy and student teaching portions of the program.

Program Advisement
For more information on the Elementary Teacher Certification Preparation program or to discuss the admission evaluation process, contact Dr. Dan Shelley, professor of education, at 412-397-2475.

Tuition
Click Here for current tuition information.

Program Location
This program is comprised of day courses and some evening courses that are offered primarily in Moon Township.