​Formal entry into a teacher preparation program can take place anywhere between 48-60 credits. Candidates can be admitted any time during their freshman and sophomore years if they have accumulated the afore mentioned credits.

​PDE strongly encourages program providers to counsel students to take the basic skills assessment as early as the freshman year. This affords the student plenty of time to seek remediation in order to be successful on the test.

​Candidates that are enrolled in a baccalaureate program prior to August 1, 2015, do not need to take and pass the basic skills assessment for program entry. However, the basic skills will be required prior to certification.

​Transfer students that have earned 60 credits or more must take and pass the basic skills assessment before they are officially entered into the program and take professional core courses.

​No, any candidate who holds at least a baccalaureate degree is not required to take the basic skills test prior to program entry.

​Yes, method courses are considered professional core courses and must be taken after formal entry into a preparation program.

​No. Stage 3 field experiences are part of the professional core courses and cannot be taken until the candidate is formally enrolled in a preparation program.

​Candidates that are enrolled in a post-baccalaureate program do not need to take the basic skills assessment for program entry certification.

​Yes, regulations require a bachelor’s degree but do not restrict it to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.

​Candidates will submit transcripts when applying for certification.