California University of Pennsylvania
The Teacher Intern Certification Program at
California University of Pennsylvania
Utilization of the Program
The Teacher Intern Certification program at California University of Pennsylvania is reserved for individuals
employed as a teacher in a public school district, state licensed child care center, or Intermediate Unit without a
standard instructional certificate. Their admission to this program permits the use of their employment setting to
fulfill field placement requirements. The programs listed below have been approved by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education for the Teacher Intern Certificate and are the only certification areas being offered by Cal
U at this time:
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Art Education (K-12)
Biology Education
Chemistry Education
Communications Education
Early Childhood Education
Earth & Space Science Education
Elementary Education
English Education
French Education
Mathematics Education
Physics Education
Social Studies Education
Spanish Education
Special Education N-12
Technology Education
Admission to the Teacher Intern Program
There are two admission routes to the Teacher Intern Program, the Post-Baccalaureate Program and the
Graduate Program. The post-baccalaureate program candidates apply to the College of Education and Human
Services. Candidates for the Graduate programs apply to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. In both
routes, the University’s receipt of the appropriate materials sets in motion the process of reviewing the candidate’s
credentials and determining the sequenced requirements that must be met for recommendation for the Teacher Intern
Certification. This review process is done on an individual basis and subject to departmental approval. If the student
is accepted and decides to enroll, he or she is accepted into either the Post-Baccalaureate Program or the Graduate
Program, not the Teacher Intern Program.
The Teacher Intern Certificate is issued from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is valid for three
years. This certificate can not be renewed.
Additional requirements must be met before the student may become a Teacher Intern. In addition to the items
listed below, individual seeking the Teacher Intern Certification must receive departmental approval.
1. The student must be enrolled at California University of Pennsylvania and have completed at least two Cal
U courses in the appropriate program.
2.
The student must provide documentation that his/her BA or BS degree is in a corresponding area of
concentration. Some examples are:
o A person holding a BA/BS in biology is eligible for Biology Education, not Physics Education.
o A person holding a BA/BS in engineering is eligible for Mathematics Education, Physics
Education, or Technology Education, not French Education.
o A person holding a BA/BS in chemical engineering is eligible for Chemistry Education or
Technology Education, not Earth & Space Science Education.
The Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, or a designee, will make the final decision as
to the appropriateness of the degree.
Updated and approved: April 2009
3.
The student must pass all standardized tests. All tests must be less than ten years old at the time of
application to the Teacher Intern Certificate program.
o Praxis I: PPST Reading, PPST Writing, and PPST Mathematics
o Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge for N-12, K-12, N-3 and K-6 certifications only
o Praxis II Specialty Area exam(s)
4.
Upon notice in writing by the student that he/she has an employment opportunity as a teacher that matches
one of certifications offered for the Cal U Teacher Intern Certificate program, the Certification Officer at
California University of Pennsylvania will prepare a letter verifying eligibility for intern status.
5.
The Certification Officer at California University of Pennsylvania must receive confirmation of
employment opportunity (in writing) from the administration of the employing school district.
6.
The Certification Officer will apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the issuance of a
Teacher Intern Certificate.
7.
The student must be continuously enrolled at Cal U during the three years of the Intern Certificate, or until
completion of all program requirements. Cal U defines enrollment as completing one course every
calendar year.
8.
All requirements, procedures, and deadlines for student teaching must be adhered to for all individuals on a
teacher intern certificate.
It is the student’s responsibility to provide verifiable documentation to the Certification Officer at California
University of Pennsylvania that they meet the above requirements and wish to apply for Teacher Intern status.
Fulfillment of the Program
In both the post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, the prospective Teacher Intern must complete all of the
courses listed on the advisement sheet of the program in their intended teacher certification area. However, all field
work can be completed at the place of employment.
Both the post-baccalaureate and graduate programs mirror the content courses of the existing undergraduate
certification programs. The post-baccalaureate programs mirror the undergraduate educational methodology
courses. The graduate programs have their own educational methodology courses. In all cases, all of the courses
listed must be completed.
The internship assignment will be completed as early as appropriate. This assignment will be in the place of
employment where the Teacher Intern Certificate is being used. For student teaching, a university supervisor will be
assigned to the Teacher Intern. The university supervisor will conduct the same number of classroom observations
and conferences indicated for normal student teaching supervision. The university supervisor will be available for
student-initiated contacts as well as school- initiated contacts. Teacher Interns have three years from date of issue to
complete the program.
Completion of the Program
When all program requirements have been met and the official report of passing scores for all required Praxis
exams are in the Certification Office at California University of Pennsylvania along with all required application
materials, application for the Instructional I certificate will be processed by the Certification Office at California
University of Pennsylvania and sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Questions and Answers
1. Can I use substitute teaching for my Teacher Intern Certificate? No, you must have a job offer for a full
time permanent teaching position.
2.
Can I do my internship in a parochial, private, online or charter school? No, you must be employed by one
of the 500 school districts, State licensed child care center, or Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. Online
teaching is not acceptable.
Updated and approved: April 2009
3.
Will Cal U help me find a teaching position? No, Cal U can not help you in finding a teaching position.
You must do this on your own.
4.
How long do I have to finish all of the course work? You have up to three years from the issue of the
Teacher Intern Certificate to complete the program.
5.
What if I can not finish all of the course work due to conflicts with working and Cal U scheduling? If you
can not finish all of your course work, you will lose your Teacher Intern Certificate at the end of three
years.
6.
I have completed all of my course work, except for student teaching, at another institution. Will Cal U
accept me for just the internship? No, you must take specified courses at Cal U, regardless of if you took
the course at a different institution.
Updated and approved: April 2009