Teacher Intern Certification Pathway

• Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree
• Cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or above
  • Note: If admitted under probationary status (GPA of a 2.99 or lower), students must meet the 3.0 GPA requirement (as well as any other program admission requirements) prior to applying for the Teacher Intern certificate.
• Take and pass the required PDE Content Area tests.
  • For testing information view the PDE Testing Requirement webpage:  'Certification - Testing Requirements'
  • Locate the 'Certification Test and Score Requirements (EXCEL)' link on the right side in the gray box.
• Have a full time or long-term substitute position in your certification area meeting the following criteria:
  • Position must be within 50 miles of Millersville University
  • You must have an on-site individual to serve as your mentor teacher.
    • Millersville University requires mentor/cooperating teachers working with students to meet Chapter 22, Code 354.25 of the PDE Guidelines stating the mentor/cooperating teacher must:
      • Have the appropriate professional educator certification
      • Have at a least three years of satisfactory certified teaching experience
      • Have at least one year of certified teaching experience in the school entity where the student is placed

Additional information is available on PDE's website:   'PDE - Certification - Instructional Experience-Based Cert FAQ'

Step 1 - Apply to a Post-Baccalureate Certification program through Graduate Admissions.

Step 2 - Take and pass the PDE required tests.

• The required tests and score requirements can be found in PDE's worksheet titled 'Certification Tests & Score Requirements (Excel)'.  To review the worksheet, follow the steps below.
  • Visit the PDE Certification - Testing Requirements website.
  • Click the link on the right side of the screen titled 'Certification Test and Score Requirements'(Excel).  This will take you to PDE's worksheet.
  • Select the 'Instructional' tab within the document (from the options along the bottom of the worksheet) for your particular certification area.
• Millersville University must receive test scores directly from the test vendor.

Step 3 - Contact the Certification Office at certification@millersville.edu .  In your email, include your name, academic program, MUID# and your intent to utilize this pathway. 

Attach both your unofficial test scores and a letter from your employer/district, on district letterhead and including the following information, to the email:

• Student Name
• Date the job began
• What the job is (E.g. Secondary Math Teacher)
• Name of an on-site individual to serve as the student's mentor teacher.
  • Millersville University requires mentor/cooperating teachers working with students to meet Chapter 22, Code 354.25 of the PDE Guidelines stating the mentor/cooperating teacher must:
    • Have the appropriate professional educator certification
    • Have at a least three years of satisfactory certified teaching experience
    • Have at least one year of certified teaching experience in the school entity where the student is placed

Step 4 - Register for your TIMS Account.

• Review PDE's 'Step-by-Step Guide' when registering for your TIMS account. 
• Go to TIMS Log In on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website to register for your account and receive your Professional Personnel Identification (PPID) number.
  • The PPID number is a unique, permanent number issued to all students upon their first entry into the PA public school system.
  • This number will remain with you throughout your PA teaching career. 
  • Keep your PPID number. You will need it throughout your career. 

NOTE: If you already have a TIMS account, do not create a new one. You will use the same account to apply for your certification. 

Step 5 - Complete the MU Request to Recommend Form

• What you will need to complete the form:
  • PPID number from your TIMS account.
  • Test scores
    • If you are unsure of your test scores, log back into your Praxis or PECT account.
  • Note: Make sure to select 'Teacher Intern' under the Certification Area drop-down box on this form. 

Step 6 - Submit a TIMS Application for Teacher Intern/Instructional Experience-Based certification

• Visit the 'Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)' webpage.
  • Select login to start your TIMS application (at the top of page).
  • Scroll down and select the Help/User Guides to be directed to more information.
• View a list of PDE's Subject Area's and Codes here. 

After all the above steps have been completed, your student record will be reviewed for recommendation to PDE for a Teacher Intern/Instructional Experience-Based Certificate. 

Next Steps

Part 2:  After PDE awards your Teacher Intern/Instructional Experience-Based Certificate, you must complete Part 2 in the accordion drop-down menu below to be recommended to PDE for licensure.

Student Teaching:  Visit Student Teaching | Millersville University for additional information regarding the student teaching portion of your program, including application requirements (due one year in advance of the student teaching semester.)

Step 1 - Program Completion

   Students must complete the post-baccalaureate certification program to be recommended to PDE for licensure.

• One year in advance of student teaching semester
  • Visit Student Teaching | Millersville University for additional information regarding the student teaching portion of your program, including application requirements (due one year in advance of the student teaching semester.)
• Prior to the start of your student teaching semester
  • Start checking your 'Course Requirement' worksheet that you received upon admission to the university to confirm all course requirements have been completed.
• Both PDE 430 evaluations must be on file prior to recommendation to PDE.
  • These forms are submitted to Field Services by your supervisor. 
• Millersville University will not be able to recommend you to PDE for licensure until all required coursework is complete.

Step 2 - Complete the MU Request to Recommend Form

• What you will need to complete the form:
  • PPID number from your TIMS account
  • Test Scores
    • If you are unsure of your test scores, log back into your Praxis or PECT account.
    • Keep a copy of your test score reports for future reference!
  • Make sure to select the appropriate certification area on this form. Do not select Teacher Intern. 

Step 3 - Submit a TIMS Application for your Instructional I certification area

• Visit the 'Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)' webpage.
  • Select login to start your TIMS application (at the top of page).
  • Scroll down and select the Help/User Guides to be directed to more information.
• View a list of PDE's Subject Area's and Codes here.