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.
Program Descriptions
- Early Childhood Education: teaching young children (birth to age 8)
- 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
- Secondary Foreign Language Education: Certification studies are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, or Latin.
- 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
- Vision Studies
Course Prerequisites and Allegheny Equivalent Courses
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 Susan Slote, Director of Education Studies, about specific details of the program and about prerequisite courses that must be taken before beginning the Pitt MAT program.
Prerequisites for the Pitt MAT program for the certification areas can be found on the program’s website. Consult Professor Slote for assistance in figuring out prerequisites. 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.
Applying to the Pitt MAT Program
The application includes the following materials:
- Cover letter indicating students intent to apply and, if necessary, describing unusual features of the student’s application
- Completed application for Pitt School of Education (to be completed online)
- Resume
- Statement of career goals and degree objectives including any previous teaching experience or experience with children (2 – 3 double-spaced pages)
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty (may be sent from recommender directly to Pitt)
- Official transcript from every post-secondary institution attended (may be sent from institutional registrar directly to Pitt)
- Copy of spring registration form indicating courses that will be taken
- Application fee
Applicants are encouraged to submit additional materials that demonstrate their academic ability or their experience working with children.