Congratulations on completing a teacher certification program at Messiah College! You are now ready to apply for your Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate, the credential you will need to teach in any of the Commonwealth’s public schools. We have prepared this document to provide you with all the step-by-step details you need to navigate the application process successfully. Before we begin walking you through the process, please take special note of the following three very important points:

1.) Who is responsible for your certification application?

You are! Although you have completed an approved teacher certification program, you will not automatically receive a Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate. You must apply for the certificate. The Messiah College Certification Office will help you submit the appropriate application materials. However, you must take the initiative to provide the necessary materials. Neither the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor the Messiah College Certification Office will prepare your application materials for you. It is ultimately your responsibility to begin the application process, track your materials, and verify with the Certification Office that your application file is complete.

2.) When should you apply for your Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate?

Now! Sometimes students who have completed a certification program at Messiah College graduate and leave without applying for their Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate. THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE. People who apply for a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania must meet all of the requirements in place at the time that they apply. Because you have just completed an approved certification program, you now meet all of the state’s requirements. However, if you wait one year, two years, five years, or ten years, the requirements may change and you may no longer be eligible, or you may need to do a substantial amount of additional work (e.g., taking new courses or passing new examinations) to be eligible again. Even if you think you will never teach in Pennsylvania, we strongly urge you to apply for your Pennsylvania certificate now. Obtaining your Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate will never be easier than it is now because you meet all of the state’s requirements. Furthermore, once you have your Pennsylvania certificate, you will find that it is relatively easy to obtain the comparable certificate in other states. We strongly advise you: APPLY FOR YOUR PENNSYLVANIA TEACHING CERTIFICATE NOW!

3.) How do you obtain teacher certification in another state?

Messiah College is approved only to endorse your application for a Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate. If you wish to pursue certification in a state other than Pennsylvania, it is your responsibility to apprise yourself of that state’s certification requirements and application procedures. The University of Kentucky maintains a website that may be useful to you:  Certification Requirements for 50 States .

4.) What if you need evidence that you are enrolled in (or have completed) a teacher certification program before you receive your Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate?

If you begin searching for a teaching position before you receive your Pennsylvania Certificate, you may find that a potential employer requires verification that you are enrolled in a teacher preparation program or have completed a program.  There are two approaches we can take to help you: 

• Before graduation:  At your request to the Education Department Secretary (edudept@messiah.edu) a letter will be prepared and sent to you via campus mail stating that you are currently enrolled in a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved teacher preparation program at Messiah College.  The letter states that all of Messiah’s teacher preparation programs qualify persons to apply for the Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate following graduation and completion of all Pennsylvania certification requirements.  The letter, signed by the Teacher Certification Officer, will also contain your Social Security Number, Certification Area and Expected Graduation Date.

• After graduation:  At your request to the Education Department Secretary (edudept@messiah.edu) a letter will be prepared and sent to the address you specify stating that you have satisfactorily completed a teacher preparation program at Messiah College.  In addition to the information in the “before graduation” letter described above, it will specify completion of Messiah College graduation requirements, Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Program requirements (including student teaching), Pennsylvania PRAXIS requirements (I and II) and the date that application materials for your Instructional I Certificate were submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  This letter is also signed by the Teacher Certification Officer.     

Applying for Your Pennsylvania Instructional I

Teaching Certificate:

A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Complete the application forms required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
2. Take (and pass) the required PRAXIS II examinations for your certification area.
3. Verify that your application file is complete.

• Dowload the information booklet.This booklet contains information which you must read. Click here: information booklet. Read the entire booklet! For the actual application forms (338C and 338G), continue on . . .

• Download Form PDE 338 C and comlete part A only . Click here: C form. Directions for completing the form are found in the booklet. Print your last name, first name, middle initial, and social security number. That is all you need to do with this form. Do not send this form to Harrisburg. Return it to the Certification Office to be placed in your application file. Be sure to make a copy for yourself before you submit the original to the Certification Office.

• Download Form PDE 338 G and complete. Click here: G form. You need to complete all parts. Please note that #10 must be signed by a doctor—not a nurse or physician’s assistant—within one year of your application date. Don’t forget to have the physician provide the state and physician number. Original signatures are required on the PDE 338G form.  PDE will not accept a faxed signature or copies of a signature.

You do have the option of visiting the Engle Center at Messiah College for your physical examination. If you do decide to have your physical exam at the Engle Center, please don't forget to take the PDE 338G form with you.

•Include payment along with the forms and submit to the Certification office in Boyer 410. You need to submit a money order payable to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in the amount of $40.00 along with your application.

• Pick up a PRAXIS flyer from the cart outside the Education Department Office (Boyer 410) or visit the PRAXIS website for registration information: www.ets.org/praxis.  Your PRAXIS II scores must be received before your application can be sent to Harrisburg. You need to allow at least six weeks for scores to be reported to us.

• Register for the PRAXIS II examinations that are required in Pennsylvania for your certification area.  Click here to find the specific tests that are required for your certification area.

• When you register for your examinations, you must name Messiah College and PDE as score recipients. Use the following codes:
Messiah College Code: RA2411
PA Department of Education Code: R 8033

• Take and pass the exams for which you have registered!

3. STEP THREE: STUDENT VERIFICATION

You must contact the Certification Office to verify that all of the materials listed above have been received and that your application file is complete by December 1 or May1, depending on your graduation date. Contact the Certification Office by emailing The Education Department: edudept@messiah.edu.

• Verify that your completed Form PDE 338C is in your application file.

• Verify that your completed Form PDE 338G is in your application file.

• Verify that your PRAXIS exam scores are in your application file.

• Verify that your money order in the amount of $40 is in your application file.

A NOTE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY CLEARANCES

Messiah College does not require you to submit criminal history and child abuse clearance forms for your certification application. However, if you plan to seek a public school teaching position in Pennsylvania, you may want to obtain those clearances during your senior year so that your clearances are current, that is, within one year of employment.  

Clearance Information

NOTE: Any of the preceding information is subject to change at any time, either by the Pennsylvania Department of Education or Messiah College.