The table below lists the specific exams (along with their codes) that are required by Pennsylvania for each of the certification programs offered at Messiah University. It is important to note that these are the exams that are currently required by Pennsylvania. If you are seeking certification in a state other than Pennsylvania, you may find that the required exams are different. When you register, don’t forget to list Messiah University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education as score recipients. Most are Praxis exams administered by ETS. Exams administered by Pearson are bolded. All are computer tests.
See link at left for test preparation materials and advice.
Make a copy - When you register online for Praxis exams, the results are posted one month after your test date. You can access these for a period of one year. You are encouraged to make a copy of results for your records, as you might be asked to provide this with some job applications.
Any certification can add grades 5&6 to your certification by taking and passing the Praxis II tests 5154 and 5155. Apply for Grade 5 & 6 as an add-on with a new credential application after your initial certification application is approved.
GPA considerations are not in effect for add-on certifications. A passing score is required.
| Art Education PK-12 |
5134 Art: Content Knowledge |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement | no test for PA |
|
Biology 7-12
|
5236 Biology: Content Knowledge |
|
Chemistry 7-12
|
5246 Chemistry: Content Knowledge |
| Chinese PK-12 |
5511 Fundamental Subjects 5665 Chinese (Mandarin) Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale. Both the written and oral exams must be taken. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification |
| Computer Science 7-12 | 5652 Computer Science: Content Knowledge |
|
English 7-12
|
5038 English Language: Content Knowledge |
| ESL Program Specialist PK-12 | No test for PA |
|
Family & Consumer Sciences PK-12
|
5122 Family & Consumer Sciences 5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
French PK-12 (post-baccalaureate) |
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge 5174 World Languages: French Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale. Both the written and oral exams must be taken. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification |
|
German PK-12 (post-baccalaureate) |
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge 5183 World Languages: German Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale. Both the written and oral exams must be taken. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification |
| Grades PreK-4 |
Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems -Pre K-4 modules 8006, 8007, 8008 |
| Grades 4-8 |
5152 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Core Assessment (3 subtests) - Subtests (5153, 5154, 5155) are available so that students can retake one portion of 5152 if a passing score is not received on one or more modules during the first attempt. AND exam(s) for your one or two concentration areas: 5156 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: English Lang. Arts 5157 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Social Studies 5158 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Mathematics 5159 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Science
DO NOT take 7-9 Middle Level Praxis Tests: 0049, 0069, 0089, 0439, 5049, 5089 |
|
Health & Physical Education PK-12
|
5857 Health & Physical Education: Content Knowledge 5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Mathematics 7-12
|
5165 Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
| Music Education PK-12 |
5113 Music: Content Knowledge
|
| Physics 7-12 |
5266 Physics: Content Knowledge
|
| School Counselor: Elementary K–6 OR Secondary 7–12 |
5422 Professional School Counselor |
|
Social Studies 7-12
|
5081 Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
| Spanish PK-12 |
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge 5195 World Languages: Spanish OR ACTFL OPI/OPIc/ProFluent+ and WPT: World Languages Special Note: Foreign Language Spanish candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Both the written and oral exams must be taken to meet the requirement. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification |
| Special Education PK-12 stand alone |
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge 5355 Special Education: Foundational Knowledge |
|
Special Education PK-12 w/ Grades PK-4 |
PreK-8 Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems 8006, 8007, 8008 5355 Special Education: Foundational Knowledge |