Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Are you ready for a career change? If you now want to pursue a career in education and have already earned a bachelor degree, the RMU post-baccalaureate teacher certification program is for you. Robert Morris University offers several non-degree post-baccalaureate teacher certification program options, and each option prepares our teacher candidates for an amazing career as a teacher.

The following seven program options are available:

• Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)
• Secondary Education
  • Business, Computer & Information Technology (BCIT; K-12)
  • Biology (7-12)
  • English (7-12)
  • Mathematics (7-12)
  • Social Studies (7-12)
• Special Education (PreK-12)

Note: You may choose one of the standalone certification program options listed to obtain teacher certification only.

Affordable, manageable course loads

The RMU post-baccalaureate teacher certification program includes required courses that provide both professional knowledge and professional practice.

Professional Knowledge: 24 credits
Includes graduate general education and special education courses; specific RMU tuition rate applies.

Professional Block/Professional Practice: 12-15 credits 
Includes graduate education courses that provide application of content-specific teaching methods, pre-student teaching, and student teaching clinical experiences; specific RMU tuition rate applies.

Content Area Coursework: credits vary by content area (12-48 credits). See Content Area Coursework Requirements below for a description of the required content coursework required for each program option.

Contact Information

Vicki J. Donne, D.Ed.
Department Head, Education
University Professor of Education
donne@rmu.edu
412-397-5465

Dr. Ying Zhang, PH.D.
Coordinator of Post-Bacc Programs
zhang@rmu.edu
412-397-5918

Course Information

Professional Knowledge

(All Programs; 24 Credits)

• EDUC6000 Critical Issues Affecting American Education (3 cr.) or ECED4140 Reading Difficulties & Diagnosis (3 cr.) Early Childhood Education Program only or SDIN6020 Reading & Special Education for Special Education
• EDUC6010 Theories of Learning/Classroom Management (3 cr.) or SDIN6020 Reading & Special Education for Special Education
• EDUC6060 Curriculum Design/Assessment (3 cr.)    
• EDUC6110 Integrating Instructional Technology (3 cr.) or SDIN6070 Communication & Special Education Assistive Technology for Special Education Program only
• SPED6080 Special Learning Needs (3 cr.) or SDIN6090 Assessment & Evaluation of Individual Instruction for Special Education Program only   
• SPED6085 Principles of Inclusion (3 cr.) or SDIN6035 Advanced Content Area Instruction for special Education Program only
• SPED6040 High Incidence Disabilities (3 cr.)    
• EDUC6400 Reading Across Curriculum/English Language Learners (3 cr.)

Professional Block/Professional Practice

(12 credits - 15 credits)    

• Applicable methods course(s)
• SDIN4060, EDUC6061, or EDUC7061 Pre-Student Teaching & Seminar (0 or 3 cr.)
• EDUC6205 Student Teaching (3 cr.)
• EDUC6500 Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr.)

Admissions Requirements

To pursue post-baccalaureate teacher certification at RMU, students must meet/submit the following: 

For Acceptance:

• Official Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended)
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 
• Letter of Reference
• Resume
• Three acceptable criminal record/child abuse clearances

Content Area Coursework Requirements

The number of content area credits varies by program area.

• Early Childhood - 15 credits
• Special Education - 12 credits
• Biology - 36 credits
• Business, Computer, & Information Technology - 48 credits
• English - 36 credits
• Math - 39 credits
• Social Studies - 42 credits

The specific required coursework within those credits varies depending on the program option. You may have completed much or all of required content area coursework as part of your previously awarded degree(s). 

When you apply to one of the Robert Morris University post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs, a faculty member evaluates submitted official transcripts to determine the number of transfer courses and credits that apply toward satisfaction of the required content coursework.