The University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, offers two post-baccalaureate programs for Secondary English and Communications teacher certification (grades 7-12). The two are a Professional Year (PY) Program and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program. Certification Studies are available in Comprehensive English and in three areas of Communication – Theater Arts Concentration, Film Media Concentration, and Speech Concentration. Certification in more than one English or Communication area is also available. Details of the MAT are outlined below:
- requires Interns to take and pass the Content Knowledge test during the first summer of their program in order to obtain their Intern Certificate
- satisfies the requirements for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate (pending passing scores on the national PRAXIS I and II Exams, successful completion of the PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430), and satisfactory performance in courses and in the internship)
- is completed in 12 months (or two terms and two summer sessions) beginning in June of the admission year
- consists of graduate course work combined with a maximum 4.5 day per week internship in a local school district from September through June