Instructional Experience-Based Certification

Instructional Experience-Based Certification (EBC) is an alternative pathway to Instructional I teaching certification for those who are already serving in a full time, paid teaching position. This pathway is ideal for post-baccalaureate career changers and non-traditional candidates who desire certification without unpaid student teaching.

Slippery Rock University is a PDE-approved provider of Experience-Based Certification program pathways for Grades 7-12 Biology, Grades 7-12 Chemistry, Grades 7-12 Earth and Space Sciences, Grades 7-12 English/Language Arts, Grades 7-12 General Science, Grades 7-12 Mathematics, Grades 7-12 Physics, and Grades 7-12 Social Studies.

Eligibility Requirements for Experience-Based Certification

Have the appropriate 7-12 certification testing taken and passed with scores on file with SRU and PDE.
Secure full-time contracted employment as the teacher of record in the appropriate content area.
Secure an eligible mentor teacher at the district

Steps to Apply for Experience-Based Certification

1. Apply for admission to the appropriate graduate program at Slippery Rock University.

For assistance with the graduate program application, please contact Graduate Admissions.
For questions related to the program requirements, please contact the EBC Program Director Dr. Jason Hilton at jason.hilton@sru.edu.

2. Fulfill all EBC eligibility requirements, including graduate program admittance, qualifying certification test scores, and employment in your certification area.

3. Submit Slippery Rock University's internal EBC application.

4. After the SRU application is submitted, complete the PA Department of Education's EBC application through the Teacher Information Management Systems (TIMS).

Select the Experience-Based option and appropriate area of certification
For help with TIMS, please contact our certification office Cathy Fuhs at catherine.fuhs@sru.edu

Please note that both the SRU and PDE applications must be submitted in order to be reviewed for Experience-Based Certification. Upon approval of both applications, your certification can be issued.

Experience-Based Certification Program Requirements

Pedagogy: SEFE 522 Teaching ELA/SS or SEFE 576 Teaching Math/Sci (3 credits online)

Assessment: SEFE 671 Measurement, Testing, and Assessment (3 credits online)

ELL: SEFE 607 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits online)

Diverse Learners: SEFE 679 Psychology of Learning & Instruction (3 credits online)

Student Teaching: SEFE 701 Student Teaching (9 credits in your classroom)

1. Student Teaching Requirements

Supervised student teaching completed in the candidate's classroom when eligible.
University Supervisor conducts 6 observations per semester, spaced evenly across the 16 weeks of the semester. The first observation typically occurs in week 1 or 2 and the final observation typically occurs in week 15 or 16.
Two satisfactory PDE 430 evaluations required.

For those interested in completing a Masters Degree in Education after earning your Experience-Based Certificate at SRU, only 12 more credits on online coursework are required.

Apply Now Learn More About EBC

College of Education

College of Education

Contact Information

Instructional Experience-Based Certification

Contact Information

What are you looking for?

College of Education

College of Education

Contact Information

Instructional Experience-Based Certification

Contact Information