​Single Area Supervisory Certificates PK-12

Pennsylvania offers a Single Area Supervisory Certificate for grade levels PK-12 within a specified instructional or educational service area of the curriculum or school program (examples: supervisor of mathematics; supervisor of reading; supervisor of school guidance services).

This certificate entitles a person to function between the school administration and certified professional staff of a public school for enhancing the attainment of the employer's expectations and goals by authorizing duties using independent judgment not equally shared by all professional certified staff, directing other certified persons, and having direct input to administrators which substantially affects the employment, assignment, transfer, promotion, layoff, discharge, or other similar personnel actions of other certified professional level employees.

Issuance of a Single Area Supervisory Certificate (Traditional Route)

Preparation for this professional certificate is at the graduate level and presumes in-depth study in the area of supervision.

A person prepared as a Single Area Supervisor may be eligible for certification provided the applicant:

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university
2. Has completed an approved program of graduate study preparing him/her for the responsibilities of supervising in the specified single program area and of directing the activities of certificated professional employees. Preparation completed out-of-state must meet Pennsylvania standards for certification. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.
3. Is recommended for certification by the authorized certification officer of the institution where such education was obtained, or holds a comparable certificate from another state (for out-of-state graduates only).
4. Provides a chief school administrator's verification of the completion of five years of satisfactory certified school experience in the area for which the certificate is sought. (22 PA Code Section 49.111).
5. Has provided evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under Section 49.18(a).
6. Is able to meet all other requirements provided by law.

Issuance of a Single Area Supervisory Certificate (Certificate and Experience Route)

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
2. Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
3. Holds a current and valid professional-level out-of-state supervisory certificate/license in the same subject area, i.e., math.
4. Has two (2) full years of experience as a supervisor in the same subject area.
5. Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Adding a Single Area Supervisory Certificate (Excludes Special Education)

1. Holds a valid Pennsylvania single area, curriculum and instruction, or pupil personnel services supervisory certificate.
2. Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
3. Demonstrates competency in the requested supervisory area by verifying completion of one of the following in the supervisory area sought:
1. 12 semester-hour credits from a regionally and/or nationally accredited college/university completed within 10 years of the date of application; or
2. Satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required content area test.

Submitting an Application

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania.

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program inside of Pennsylvania and Commission Qualification Letter (CQL) applicants.