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Graduate Programs

PA State Education Certifications & Endorsements

Advance your existing career in education or enter the education field through a post-baccalaureate certification program at Widener.

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At a Glance

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Offered as

Certifications, Endorsements, & Teacher Intern Program

Format

On Campus

Credits

Endorsements: 12

Certifications & Teacher Intern: Vary by program. See catalog for details.

College/School
Campus Location
  • Chester, PA

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Explore Graduate Education Programs

Want to advance your existing career in education or consider a career change to education? Are you looking to become a more confident leader within your field?

Widener’s Center for Education offers numerous post-baccalaureate certification and endorsement programs to meet your individual professional development goals. You can pursue your first certification or add on to previous ones, with the option to enroll in a full graduate degree by matriculating certification program credits when possible. Programs include:

Gain the skills and preparation to become a teacher or advance your teaching career, while becoming a leader within the field of education.

Each state/jurisdiction has requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure and/or certification to teach. It is the student’s responsibility to seek appropriate guidance before beginning any academic program. If you intend to seek certification outside of Pennsylvania, we recommend that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain specific licensure/certification requirements per state and the most up-to-date information.
 
To view Widener’s licensure eligibility by state/jurisdiction, please visit the Center for Education: Program Licensure page.

PA State Education Certifications & Endorsements Program Options

Expand your professional education career prospects through our Pennsylvania Department of Education certification programs. The following affordable programs are priced per credit, significantly under the cost of the master's and doctorate degrees, and most courses will matriculate into the corresponding master's and/or doctoral programs, if pursued.

*Must be currently enrolled in the MSW degree program  to obtain certificate 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education Endorsement programs document knowledge in new and emerging areas where formal certifications do not exist. The Endorsement programs are intended to improve your skills in dealing with complex classroom settings and would be added to existing Level I or Level II certifications but are not required to perform service in these areas.

Most endorsement courses will matriculate into the corresponding master's and/or doctoral programs.

Widener’s Teacher Intern Program is an alternate route to certification for those seeking a career change.

Become eligible for Level I PA Instructional Certification in the following subject areas:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Elementary Education: The Early Years (Pre-K-4)
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Social Studies
  • Spanish

To receive an intern certificate from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you will complete certain prescribed courses, receive passing scores on the Praxis tests, and receive a Letter of Intern Candidacy.  Additionally, you must secure a teaching position before you can apply for an intern teaching certificate.

Once you have secured a full-time, paid teaching position, you will be supervised by Widener faculty over a minimum one-year period. In addition, you can take required coursework in the evenings at Widener’s Main Campus or online. Upon completion of the coursework and the supervised teaching experience (which takes about two years to complete), you will be eligible for Pennsylvania Instructional I certification in your content area.

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Career Outlook & Outcomes for Educators

Recent Employers

  • CADES
  • Chester Upland School District
  • Chichester School District
  • Elwyn
  • Interboro School 

Industry Growth

Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is expected to grow by 5% from 2022-2032, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Potential Careers

  • Elementary or Secondary Education Teacher
  • Home and School Visitor or K-12 School Counselor
  • Instructional Technology Specialist
  • K-12 School Principal, Superintendent, or Instructional Coach
  • Reading Specialist

Why Study Education at Widener?

A Professional Learning Community

Take courses as part of a professional learning community, where your knowledge and work experience are integrated with others. You'll take the fast-track to developing leadership, consultative, and collaborative skills.

Experiential & Field-Based Learning

At Widener, you will build on your professional reputation and gain the skills to become a teacher or expand your teaching capabilities through integrated experiential and field-based learning opportunities.

Mentoring Relationships & Individualized Attention

Choosing to enroll in one of Widener’s post-baccalaureate education certificate programs is an investment in you—your education, your career, and your future. You'll benefit from mentoring relationships with your professors and advisors. Collaborating together, you'll develop individualized academic plans tailored to you.

Our Faculty

Wolfe, Zora_Photo, 01312023
Zora M. Wolfe
Associate Dean of the College of Health & Human Services

"My philosophy for teaching graduate courses in educational leadership revolves around the importance of integrating theory and practice. I believe my courses need to be grounded in research and theory related to students' particular areas of study, and also provide opportunities for students to apply that research and theory to practice."

Nadine McHenry
Nadine McHenry
Professor

"Learning to be a teacher requires discipline and hard work. Learning to be great teacher requires passion and a deep dedication to the many and diverse children that we serve."

Richard E. Thurlow
Richard E. Thurlow
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology

"My interests include brain development, literacy development, and applications of technology in research and instruction. My greatest excitement in teaching comes from the way that working with graduate students spills over to my teaching of undergraduates and vice versa."

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Dana Reisboard
Associate Professor

"My teaching focuses upon cognitive processing and application. In this regard, critical literacy complements the cognitive learning process. Critical literacy is the ability to actively read a text that promotes an understanding of social concepts and human relationships."

Xiaobao Li
Xiaobao Li
Associate Professor

"I have authored or co-authored 15 publications in top-tier education journals and am honored to be a highly rated online professor of Widener students."

View All Faculty Explore Faculty Research Interests

Recent News

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Admissions & Aid

Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

Admissions Information

We have rolling admissions, so you may enter the programs in any semester.

Widener transfer applicants follow the same application process as general applicants. After you apply, our admissions team will work with you to determine whether completed undergraduate and graduate coursework will count towards foundation/core courses that can be waived or substituted.

Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.

Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.

How to Apply as a Graduate International Student

  • Complete your online application
  • Submit your official transcripts from all college/university post-secondary institutions. A course-by-course credential evaluation completed by a NACES certified organization will be accepted if the transcript is not in the English language.
  • Fulfill the English Proficiency requirements
  • If you require an F-1 visa, you must provide written proof you have adequate funding available to meet the expenses incurred while studying in the United States

Learn more about applying as an international student

Financial Aid

Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

You might be surprised how much we are able to offer.

Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources. Our school code is 003313.

In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:

  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Be enrolled or admitted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

Learn more about applying for financial aid as a graduate student

Paths to Savings

85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid

Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.

Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student

In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.

COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA 

Widener Scholarships

A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.

Graduate Assistantships

Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.

Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement

Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.

Explore Our Employer Partnerships

20% Discount for Widener Alumni

(some restrictions apply)

If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.

Learn more about qualifying for an alumni discount

More About Tuition

PA Department of Education Certifications

$492 per credit

PA Department of Education Endorsements

$492 per credit

Take the Next Steps

Visit Us

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View Admissions Events

We offer a variety of virtual events to get to know Widener and meet with faculty and admissions staff.

Request Information

Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!​

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We’re glad you made the decision to apply. All applications and supplemental materials are submitted through the online application system. There is a $35 application fee to apply to Widener.

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