Teacher Preparation

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education offers Allegheny students the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree and to obtain Pennsylvania teaching certification in the areas shown below.  Click on the links to learn more about each program. Scroll down lower on this page for information about course prerequisites for each certification area.

• Early Childhood Education: teaching young children (birth to age 8)
• Elementary Education: teaching at the elementary school level (K – grade 6)
• Foreign Language Education: teaching French, Spanish, German, Latin, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, or Russian at the elementary or secondary school level (K – grade 12); dual certification with elementary education is also possible

• Secondary Education: teaching specific content areas at the secondary school level (grades 7 – 12)
  • Secondary English and Communications Education: certification is available in Comprehensive English, Communication & Theater Arts Concentration, Communication & Film Media Concentration, and Communication & Speech Concentration. Certification in more than one English or Communication area is also possible.
  • Secondary Science Education: certification is available in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Physics, and General Science
  • Secondary Social Studies Education
  • Secondary Mathematics Education
• Special Education: teaching students with mental and physical disabilities
  • Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities: working with young children with disabilities (ages birth to five) and their families
  • Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students: working with deaf or hard-of-hearing children and youth (N-12)
  • Education of Students with Mental and Physical Disabilities: teaching children and youth who have needs for learning support, life skills support, and emotional support
  • Vision Studies

Course Prerequisites

Students intending to apply to take advantage of the articulation agreement between Allegheny College and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education in order to pursue teacher certification should consult with Kirsten Peterson, Liaison to Teacher Preparation Programs, about specific details of the program and about prerequisite courses that must be taken before beginning the Pitt MAT program. Please note that ALL students, regardless of intended area of certification, are required to complete the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 354.23 prerequisites.

Checklists identifying prerequisite courses for the Pitt MAT program for the certification areas are linked below. Please take careful note of the courses that are required for admission to the MAT program versus those required for the Professional Year (PY) program. Consult Ms. Peterson for assistance in using these checklists. Note: Prerequisites are dictated by the education standards of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as interpreted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education and are therefore subject to change.

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Foreign Language Education
• Foreign Language and Elementary Dual Certification
• Secondary English and Communications Education
• Secondary Science Education
• Secondary Social Studies Education
• Secondary Mathematics Education
• Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities
• Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
• Education of Students with Mental and Physical Disabilities
• Vision Studies

Applying to the Pitt MAT Program

Students intending to apply to the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Arts in Teaching program must contact Kirsten Peterson, Liaison to Teacher Preparation Programs, in order to take advantage of the articulation agreement between Allegheny College and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. The application includes the following materials:

1. Cover letter indicating students intent to apply and, if necessary, describing unusual features of the student’s application
2. Completed application for Pitt School of Education (may be completed online)
3. Resume
4. Statement of career goals and degree objectives including any previous teaching experience or experience with children (2 – 3 double-spaced pages)
5. Three letters of recommendation from faculty: download form (may be sent from recommender directly to Pitt)
6. Official transcript from every post-secondary institution attended (may be sent from institutional registrar directly to Pitt)
7. Copy of spring registration form indicating courses that will be taken
8. Evidence of passing Praxis I scores (scores should be sent directly to Pitt School of Education)
9. Application fee

Applicants are encouraged to submit additional materials that demonstrate their academic ability or their experience working with children.

Application materials (except those sent directly to Pitt or completed online) should be given to Ms. Peterson by December 1.