Middle Level (grades 4–8) Certification
This certificate program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and who seek to qualify for Pennsylvania teacher certification at the middle level (grades 4–8). The curriculum is designed for those changing careers as well as those who already serve as temporary, emergency, or substitute teachers and wish to earn a formal teaching credential. Students completing the certification program have the option to continue coursework to earn a Master of Science in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum degree. All graduate credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward the Master of Science in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum degree.
This program addresses the complexities of adolescent development through discussion of theories. It explores the middle school environment, developmentally appropriate middle school programs, strategies for supporting students through the transition to middle school, and the impact of peer pressure on the middle school child. The coursework and field experiences in this program will prepare students for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. For students intending to teach outside of Pennsylvania, through operation of interstate reciprocity agreements, a Pennsylvania teaching certificate may be converted to the analogous teaching certificate in another state. The School of Education recommends prospective students contact their state’s Department of Education to find out what these transfer procedures are before proceeding.
| Degree | Availability | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Certificate |
Part-Time |
Philadelphia |
Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Please view our academic calendar for term start dates.
| Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U. S. Applicants | Sept. 6 | Dec. 9 | Mar. 2 | May 25 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Please view our academic calendar for term start dates.
| Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U. S. Applicants | Sept. 6 | Dec. 9 | Mar. 2 | May 25 |
International Students: followup instructions.
For details regarding the items below, please review the Admission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Essay
Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.
Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Clearances
All admitted students must submit copies of the required Pennsylvania FBI, Child Abuse, and Criminal History clearances to the School of Education's Field Placement Office prior to enrolling in their first term at Drexel. These clearances are required by law prior to entering pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms to complete field experience requirements starting the first term and continuing throughout the program.
Please note that obtaining these clearances may take up to six weeks. For directions, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education site.
You may submit copies of your clearances with your admissions materials or fax them to the School of Education's Field Placement Office at 215.571.4270. Pennsylvania clearances are not required for application completion. All new students who possess required Pennsylvania clearances more than one year old must submit updated clearances to the Field Placement Office.
Online Program
Please refer to Drexel Online Education for application requirements and deadlines.