Â鶹ÊÓƵ

TOP completer, Benjamin Semple '20, ML Science, North Creek Academy, Calif.

Teachers from out-of-state can now earn Pennsylvania teaching certification through Â鶹ÊÓƵ Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s innovative Teacher Online Pathway (TOP). Convenient, flexible and affordable, TOP is for current teachers who want to work towards certification on their own schedules. Pennsylvania teaching certification is recognized in most states in the U.S.

Classes are taught online and asynchronously Â鶹ÊÓƵ —meaning students can learn at their own pace, create their own schedules and complete their coursework from the comfort of their homes. If they choose to pursue an accelerated schedule, they can complete the course requirements within as little as one academic year. 

TOP offers Pennsylvania Level I certification in:

•  Early childhood education (PreK-4, elementary)
• Middle level education (4-8) for English, mathematics, science and social studies
• Secondary education (7-12) for English, biology, chemistry, mathematics and social studies
• PreK-12 for business, computer & information technology, health & physical education and Spanish
• Special education

All TOP instructors are current or past educators with real-world classroom experience. Â鶹ÊÓƵ will hire a cooperating teacher and college supervisor within the student Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s school district to oversee the intern teaching requirements for certification. For more information go to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s TOP webpage or email tcp@wilson.edu. 

Benefits of Wilson Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s TOP teaching certification:

• Affordable Â鶹ÊÓƵ —with an average cost of $1,500 per three-credit class, certification is within reach of most teachers. Financial aid is available for qualified applicants.
• Reimbursable tuition Â鶹ÊÓƵ —many schools or school districts reimburse their teachers in full or in part for TOP classes.
• Deferred payment Â鶹ÊÓƵ —after an initial down payment, we can defer payment until the end of each semester. This allows students to present transcripts to their school districts and receive available reimbursements before the tuition bill is due. Some schools will pay the college directly.
• Education technology workshops Â鶹ÊÓƵ —learn how to use and integrate technology into a curriculum in a traditional or a virtual classroom.
• Graduate degree credits Â鶹ÊÓƵ —many TOP course credits are transferable to graduate programs. 
• Unlimited course credits accepted Â鶹ÊÓƵ —TOP accepts all appropriate education credits earned within the last 10 years toward the credits needed to complete the program.
• Small class size Â鶹ÊÓƵ —our students are individuals, not numbers.
• Communication Â鶹ÊÓƵ —instructors are available and accessible. We require our instructors to respond within 24-hours to students during the workweek. Typical response times are much shorter.
• Individual advisers Â鶹ÊÓƵ —every student has a dedicated adviser with whom to plan their path, choose their courses and discuss any issues.

Requirements to enter the TOP out-of-state program:

• Bachelor Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s degree Â鶹ÊÓƵ —students must have a bachelor Â鶹ÊÓƵ ’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Current teacher Â鶹ÊÓƵ —must be employed as a PK-12 teacher in one of the TOP areas of certification in order to complete the intern teaching requirement for certification in Pennsylvania.

Student responsibilities:

• Students must complete the required Pennsylvania testing before completing their intern teaching requirements.
• While Pennsylvania teaching certification is accepted in almost every state, students are responsible for investigating how to transfer this certification to their own state.