College of Education and Social Work

Requirements

• Enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification or educational specialist
• Earned a minimum of 48 credits at the college level (100 level or above)
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 (students admitted prior to the Fall 2022 semester)
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 (students admitted the Fall 2022 semester or later)
• Earned 3 credits in college-level English composition
• Earned 3 credits in literature taught in English
• Earned 6 credits in college-level mathematics
• On July 8, 2022, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed into law, Act 55 of 2022.  Act 55 of 2022 waives basic skills testing as one of the requirements for Teacher Candidacy. Act 55 of 2022 is in effect from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025.  
• Received approval from your academic department. 
• If applicable, met any additional program specific requirements. Honors students can use the completion of HON 212, HON 313, and HON 352 for three credits of English composition, three credits of English literature, and a math course.
• Application Process (electronic process)

  Click the link to complete the application:

  Teacher Candidacy application

• Go to MyWCU and access your Unofficial Transcript to obtain information to fill in the Teacher Candidacy form.

• Click submit in the form when all information is completed. Candidate Services will verify your Teacher Candidacy requirements and contact your department for departmental approval.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate graduate from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum GPA of 2.8 on most recent 48 credits of college/university coursework
• Admission to a WCU program leading to a Pennsylvania Department of Education certification
• Department approval (Signature from program coordinator on APS; Departments may have additional and/or more rigorous requirements for their students.)

Application Process

• Schedule a meeting with your program coordinator/academic advisor. Students completing dual programs must follow this process for each program.
• During the meeting, determine program requirements by completing an Approved Program of Study (APS).
• Candidates entering a Foreign Languages Program must use this department specific Approved Program of Study (APS).
• Attach the required documents listed the APS.
• Submit the original version of the APS with all required documents to the Certification Office, 302 Recitation Hall. Photocopies and unofficial documents cannot be accepted.

• Verify your Teacher Candidacy status by logging in to MyWCU, viewing your unofficial transcript, and scrolling to the bottom of the transcript. Under the milestone section, the Teacher Candidacy milestone will appear as EDF030U or EDF030G: Teacher Candidacy.
• Undergraduate Students: If at any time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.8, Teacher Candidacy will be removed from your record and you will be denied access to designated advanced professional education courses. Notify by email CandidateServices@wcupa.edu, to have your Teacher Candidacy status reinstated once you have earned a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA again.