Advanced Professional Studies - APS
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) mandates all teacher certification candidates meet certain criteria.
Millersville University has adopted the Advanced Professional Status (APS) requirements in order to meet those mandates and be a state approved teacher education program that successfully leads students to certification in the state of Pennsylvania.
Advanced Professional Studies (APS) status is required in order to register for Advanced Professional courses.
Millersville University APS Policy - Effective Fall 2015 (Amended 10/2020)
ACT 55 of 2022 - Basic Skills Test Waiver
ACT 55 of 2022 was signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022, through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.
Additional information regarding ACT 55 of 2022 can be found on the PDE website - Certification - Testing Requirements.
The waiving of Basic Skills Testing does not include Content Area Tests (PECT). This is valid for the Pre-Service Tests ONLY. All other APS requirements remain in effect. Therefore, APS Applications must still be submitted to obtain APS status.
When applying for APS please use the waiver (for tracking purposes ONLY) to have the APS testing requirement waived. Follow the steps outlined below.
- Complete the ACT 55 Basic Skills Test Waiver Form in its entirety.
- Create a pdf of the completed form.
- Submit the pdf of the completed form in place of the Pre-Service testing scores requirement on your APS Application.
- Keep the form for your records.
Revised 08/01/2022
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PROCESS - OBTAINING APS STATUS
APS Online Application Instructions:
Applications and application materials are not accepted by email.
All students must submit an Application for Admission to APS when they have met the APS requirements. Once formally admitted, students may register for APS courses.
- Complete the online APS Application.
- Upload a pdf of the completed ACT 55 Basic Skills Test Waiver Form in place of the Pre-Service testing scores requirement on your APS Application.
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing! Your application may take up to ten business days to process - apply at least 10 business days before registration begins to ensure that you do not miss your registration time slot.
- GPA, testing and ACT 126 training certificate requirements are not appealable.
- If you are in-progress to earn 48 credits or complete pre-requisite courses, or need a concurrent course appeal, please complete the APS application form and check the box to be considered for an appeal.
- Students will receive an email from Field Services after their application has been processed.
- Complete the online APS Application.
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BSE - APS Requirements
BSE students must meet the requirements below to achieve APS status:
- A minimum of 48 credits in-progress
- Pass one English Composition Course
- Pass one English Literature Course
- Pass two Mathematics Courses (100+ Level)
- Pass Education Foundations courses (EDFN 211/241) & receive a Favorable Faculty Recommendation
- Clearance documents: Copies of clearance documents must be on file with the Department of Field Services.*
- ACT 126 Educator Ethics Training certificate of completion (effective 1/15/2020)**
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0; GPA of 2.8-2.99 requires higher test scores on Content Area Tests for Certification**
- Basic Skills Testing
- Effective 07/08/2022 - 07/08/2025:
- "Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period." Source: PDE-Certification Testing Requirements
- ACT 55 Basic Skills Test Waiver Form
- Effective 07/09/2025:
- Pass one of the Pre-Service Testing Options**
- Effective 07/08/2022 - 07/08/2025:
* Updated clearances must be on file by the clearance deadline prior to the start of the semester in which you will be in the field. View the clearance webpage for more information.
** Requirement not appealable.
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POST-BACCALAUREATE - APS REQUIREMENTS
Post-Baccalaureate students must meet the requirements below to achieve APS status:
- A minimum of 3 credits
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0; TCAT admits must complete TCAT requirements for admission*
- ACT 126 Educator Ethics Training certificate of completion (effective 1/15/2020)*
- Pass Education Foundations courses (EDFN 545/590) and/or receive Favorable Faculty Recommendations from other coursework as designated. (Does not apply to PBC Early Childhood Education students).
- Copies of clearance documents must be on file with the Department of Field Services
* Requirement not appealable
NOTE: Updated clearances must be on file by the clearance deadline prior to the start of the semester in which you will be in the field. View the clearance web page for more information.
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ACT 126 - Educator Ethics Training Certificate
Teacher Track - Professional Ethics & the Educator Discipline Act
ACT 126 – Educator Ethics Training is available on the Department of Education's SAS Portal and must be completed prior to submitting your APS application.
Students who do not have a SAS account must first register for an account by visiting PDE SAS.
- To register for and view the course, students must log into the SAS PDE Center. A brief assessment will be given at the end of the course.
Note: Complete the Teacher Track - Professional Ethics and the Educator Discipline Act portion of the course.
All students will receive a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the training. Keep a copy of your certificate for your records and to submit with your APS application - it must reflect 'Teacher Track'.
The ACT 126 - Educators Ethics Training certificate of completion must be included with your application or your application will not considered complete and will not be processed.