PENNSYLVANIA
STATE RESOURCES

• Bachelor's degree in education from an approved teacher prep program   (Special Ed PK-12) 

  • This degree should have a concentration or major specifically in Special Education. This can be a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) or Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.Ed.) with a focus on Special Education. 

• PDE Approved Certification Programs  

• Coursework Requirements 

  • The coursework typically includes topics such as special education methods, classroom management, child development, assessment techniques, and working with students with disabilities. 

  • Courses may also cover specific areas of special education, such as autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities. 

  • Field Experience and Student Teaching.

Upon completion of the degree, candidates must pass the relevant Praxis test: PRAXIS for PA 

Candidates need to apply for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate in Special Education in one of many core academic areas, including Special Education PK-8, Special Education 7-12, Special Education-Hearing Impaired, Special Education-Speech/Language Impaired, and Special Education-Visually Impaired. These certificates are offered at the Instructional I level to new educators and at the Instructional II level when teachers have completed the required professional experience and continuing education credits. 

You can review more information from Pennsylvania's Department of Education: https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Staffing%20Guidelines/Pages/CSPG61.aspx

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, there are alternative certification pathways. These often involve completing a post-baccalaureate or master's level program in special education, which includes the necessary coursework and certification requirements.

Pennsylvania's Department of Education provides a list of alternate program providers for those seeking certification.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education maintains a list of all approved educator preparation programs: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/new-educators/approved-certification-programs#accordion-8fe7384bee-item-f72633eab7 

• PA Council for Exceptional Children:  https://www.pa-cec.org/   

• PaTTAN:  Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network: https://www.pattan.net/  

• PHEAA (PA Higher Education Assistance Agency) PA Student Teacher Support Program 

• PHEAA State Grant Program and PA Forward (Student Loans)  

• Other possible sources from PHEAA: https://www.pasmart.pa.gov/explore-education/paying-for-education/ 

• PA Forward Student Loan Program – PHEAA created the PA Forward Student Loan Program to assist Pennsylvania students, families, and schools with higher education tuition costs not covered by grants, scholarships, federal student loans, or other aid. 

• State Work-Study Employment – Gain career-related, on-the-job work experience while earning money to help pay for your higher education. 

• PA-TIP – Explore aid that helps strengthen the state’s workforce and makes higher education more affordable with the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP). 

• Aid for Military & PA National Guard – Service to our country may qualify you or your dependents for financial aid when you pursue higher education. 

• Loan Forgiveness – Find out if you are eligible for loan forgiveness, which repays part or all of your educational loan debt if you fulfill certain work-related requirements in specific fields. 

• RTSS Program – Learn how to help make college affordable with the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program (RTSS).