University of Pittsburgh School of Education
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) make it easy for you to find answers to your most pressing inquiries into the School of Education. If you can't find your answer here, please feel free to contact us or use our site search to find the information you need.

Getting Started

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I locate a program that's right for me?
There are several ways to navigate the School of Education's diverse program offerings:
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the differences in the various certifications and degrees offered?
Please use this helpful guide as a resource.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What makes the School of Education programs unique?
Our School offers top-quality programs built upon stellar faculty, groundbreaking research and a deep commitment to the success of our students. Both challenging and rewarding, programs are designed to prepare tomorrow's teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers to be life-changing leaders. Join our dynamic community, and prepare to do work that matters – each and every day.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I become a teacher in PA?
To be eligible for Pennsylvania Instructional-I teaching certification, you must:
  • pass the PRAXIS I & II exams in your area of certification
  • successfully complete your coursework and internship or student teaching
  • successfully complete the PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430)
Our School offers several graduate programs leading to teacher certification. You can read about these programs in greater detail online, and you can also attend a weekly information session to learn more about the application process.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  I am an undergraduate student at Pitt. How do I enter the School of Education?
There are no undergraduate teacher certification programs at Pitt-Oakland. We offer teacher certification exclusively in post-baccalaureate or "fifth year" programs. Undergraduates interested in...
  • Early Childhood Education (Pre-K 3) should be following the prerequisites required for admission in their sophomore year to the Applied Developmental Psychology Plus program
  • Elementary Education (K 6) are encouraged to major in a content area (English, Math, Science, History) and to take the additional prerequisite courses required for admission
  • Secondary Education should choose a major in the field of their intended certification, e.g., English literature or writing, biology, chemistry, French, history, etc. You must also take the additional prerequisite coursework required for admission.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I determine what teacher certification program is the right one for me?
Read about all of our teacher certification programs and involve yourself in volunteer and/or paid positions that afford you the opportunity to work with a variety of different age groups and types of students. You can also look for certification programs based on your area of interest.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Besides teaching, what other programs exist in the field of education?
A career in education is not only challenging, rewarding, and exciting, but comes in many shapes and sizes. We prepare our students to meet the demanding needs of a constantly changing society and to excel in roles such as:
  • school leaders
  • policy experts
  • top-notch teachers
  • academic administrators
  • physical activity programmers
  • health, fitness, and disease-prevention advocates
  • curriculum specialists
  • assessment designers
  • educational researchers
Locate a program that matches your projected career path.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I learn more about a master’s or doctoral program?
Our website provides useful information about each program. However, should you have more detailed academic content-related questions about a master's or doctoral program, please contact the program's faculty coordinator.

Applying

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I submit an application?
General information on how to apply can be found here. To submit an application, you can access the School's online application system. After creating a user account, you may continually log-in to work on your application prior to officially submitting it for admission consideration.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When should I apply?
While some programs operate on rolling admissions, others have specific deadline dates. Please refer to the program’s homepage, along with the Deadline Dates by Program reference sheet, for the most accurate information.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Is there a fee?
Yes, a $50 application fee is required before your application will be processed. You may pay online with a credit card or via mail with a check. More information about this process will be provided when you officially submit your application.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I determine if I have fulfilled the prerequisite courses a teacher certification program?
You are encouraged to complete an Online Transcript Review. You do not need to have completed ALL prerequisites at the time you submit an application; however, they must be satisfied by the time your intended program will begin (Summer-II for MAT; Fall for PY).
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is required to complete my application?
Admission requirements vary by program. It is best to consult the program's homepage and the admissions procedures to determine the exact credentials required for your specific program.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where should I send application materials?
Application materials should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services:

University of Pittsburgh
School of Education, Admissions and Enrollment Services
5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
230 S. Bouquet Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
PHONE: 412-648-2230
FAX: 412-648-1899
EMAIL: soeinfo@pitt.edu
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I register for a required admissions test and how will you get my scores?
The following links will direct you to information from Educational Testing Service about admission tests (which, may be required depending upon your specific program of interest). When taking a test, please be sure to indicate the relevant school code(s) so that we receive an official score report.
  • PRAXIS - University of Pittsburgh institution code (R2927)
  • GRE - University of Pittsburgh institution code (R2927); School of Education department code (3999)
  • TOEFL - University of Pittsburgh institution code (2927); School of Education department code (85)

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Which transcript(s) should I submit?
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required for admission.

* Please note, even University of Pittsburgh students must submit official transcripts requested from the Registrar's Office in Thackeray Hall.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who should write a letter of recommendation?
The most compelling recommendations come from individuals who both know you well and are qualified to assess your academic and/or professional ability to succeed in a given program. Typically, letters come from professors, supervisors/bosses, volunteer program coordinators, etc. It is useful for the admissions committee to receive a diverse representation of these perspectives in order to best assess one's candidacy for a program.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is a career goal statement?
The statement should be approximately 2-3 double spaced pages and respond to the following types of questions:
  • Why are you interested in and qualified for this program?
  • What are your ultimate academic and professional goals, and why?
  • How will this specific program, at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education, help you accomplish these goals?
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What should I include on my resume?
Be sure to include a comprehensive list of your academic, professional and/or service experiences, achievements, and awards. Equally important to include are skills, competencies, or activities relevant to the field of education and your specific program of interest.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  My application is complete, what happens next?
Completed applications (those with all required credentials received) will be reviewed by a departmental faculty admissions committee. The review process can typically last 4-6 weeks, after which candidates will be notified of the official decision via regular mail.

Enrollment and Course Registration

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I accept the offer of admission?
Please contact Admissions and Enrollment Services (412-648-2230) if you haven't received or have misplaced instructions for completing the admissions response form.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are my options for deferring my offer of admission?
Admitted students may defer their offer of admission for up to one calendar year. For example, if you are admitted for Fall 2009, you may defer to Spring 2010, Summer 2010, or Fall 2010.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I decide which courses to take?
Some programs, such as the PY and MAT teacher certification programs, have a structured, pre-determined course schedule. However, others are much more flexible. If at any time you have a question regarding which course(s) you should be taking, please consult with your academic advisor. He or she will identify courses that will satisfy requirements or elective credit for your specific academic program.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How and when do I register for courses?
Beginning with the Spring, 2010 term, the University of Pittsburgh is initiating online self-registration. To register for courses you will need to:
  • Log onto my.pitt.edu and select the "Student Services" tab
  • Click the Link to Student Center, then click Self-Service, then Student Center
  • Find your Enrollment Appointment, which will be listed in the box entitled Enrollment Dates on the right hand side of the page. This is the date/time at which you are eligible to begin enrolling for the upcoming term (ranked by # of completed credits)
  • Log-in to my.pitt.edu at that time to enroll in courses. (Prior to that date you can and should browse for courses via the search engine in the Student Center)

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I drop a course?
The new online self-enrollment will allow you to drop courses until the end of add/drop period.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How can I see my course schedule for a given term?
  • Log onto my.pitt.edu and select the "Student Services" tab
  • Click the Link to Student Center, then click Self-Service, then Student Center
  • On the top left, there will be a link called "My Class Schedule"
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I obtain approval to register for a course?
You will need to obtain a special permission code for online registration only if you are a non-degree student, or if the course you are attempting to enroll in is full, restricted, or upper-level. Please contact the instructor of the course and obtain written permission (email is OK) authorizing you to take the course. Present this documentation to the departmental administrator listed below in order to retrieve the special permission code for online registration.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I apply for readmission?
Students in the School of Education who have not been enrolled for a 12-month period must apply for re-instatement. Please contact Paula Owens at the Admissions and Enrollment Office [(412) 648-2230,powens@pitt.edu] for assistance with the process.  She will work with you to determine exactly what will be required, as requirements may vary based upon your specific program and length of absence.

Non-Degree Admissions

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is a non-degree student?
A non-degree student is an individual who is taking courses at the University of Pittsburgh, but is not part of a degree-seeking program. Non-degree students can register for both Arts and Sciences and Education courses through the School of Education. Non-degree students typically take courses:
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I become a non-degree student?
You will need to submit a non-degree application, on which you must indicate if you are taking undergraduate or graduate courses (if taking both, apply as graduate), along with a $50 application fee. Once your application is processed by Admissions and Enrollment Services, you will be matriculated as a non-degree student and eligible to enroll in classes.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the maximum number of credits I can complete as a non-degree student?
Non-degree students are eligible to complete up to 15 credits of coursework. A maximum of 15 credits completed as a non-degree student may be applied toward a certificate or degree program upon admission to the School as a degree-seeking student, subject to the approval of program faculty.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What happens when I am ready to formally apply to a certificate or degree-granting program?
Follow the admission procedures for your intended program. Please note that you WILL NOT need to pay another $50 application fee.

Billing / Financial Aid

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How and when will I be billed for coursework?
PittPAY is the University of Pittsburgh's online billing and payment system. There are no paper bills mailed. All billing is electronic through PittPAY. Student and their Authorized Payers receive an email from PittPAY each time a new electronic bill (eBill) is available for their attention. The student email is sent to their official Pitt email account. Please use this resource to learn more about PittPAY including when eBills are posted and due.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where should I direct questions about my bill?
Please contact the Student Payment Center.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the tuition?
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What sources of financial aid exist?
  • Undergraduate students - Please refer to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
  • Graduate students - Many federal and state aid programs that are available to undergraduate students are not offered to graduate students. Therefore, if eligible, many students finance their graduate education through the Federal Stafford Loan program. Please also see our School financial aid page.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are there education-specific financial aid opportunities?
Yes, the following programs exist, but often entail very specific eligibility requirements. Please click on each program to learn more: TEACH Grant and Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do you offer teaching or research assistantships to graduate students?
A very limited number of assistantships are available to graduate students, most of which are awarded to doctoral students. Students are encouraged to express interest in potential assistantships to their academic advisor within their specific academic department.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How and when do I apply for financial aid?
Once you are admitted to a graduate program in the School of Education, you can apply for the Federal Stafford Loan by following the steps on the Graduate Financial Aid Checklist.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who processes my financial aid?
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid manages the loan application and certification processes.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I submit the FAAS form?
Once you have completed the FAAS form, please submit it to the School of Education's Admissions and Enrollment Services who will complete the enrollment verification required by question #9 A-D. The completed form will then be forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Tools for New Students

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I access my student account?
Your student account is created shortly after you matriculate as a University of Pittsburgh student. CSSD (Computing Services and Systems Development) will send you a hard copy of your account username and temporary password via postal mail. You should then access your account to change your password and set your preferences from the Manage My Account page.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is my Pitt email address and how to I access it?
Your Pitt email address is your account username followed by "@pitt.edu". You can read useful information about managing and accessing your Pitt email account here.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I obtain my student ID?
Once you have accepted the offer of admission, you can obtain your student ID card by visiting Panther Central, located in the main lobby of Litchfield Towers.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where should I direct technology questions?
Please visit Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD), or contact the Help Desk at 412.624.HELP (412.624.4357).
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I park?
Visit the Office of Parking and Transportation Services for information about campus parking options.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I navigate campus?
Please visit our campus tour site which includes a printable campus map to locate classroom buildings and other important resources.

Information for Prospective Teachers and Current Teachers

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What teaching certificate do I earn after completing the PY or MAT program?
Teacher preparation candidates who meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) requirement criteria earn an Instructional I teaching certificate, often referred to as a "provisional certificate". Instructional II certification or "permanent certification" is granted by PDE to teachers who meet the following criteria: hold a valid Instructional I certificate; have completed a teacher induction program; have three years of satisfactory teaching experience in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and have completed 24 post-baccalaureate credits.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is an Intern Certificate?
This is a special certificate issued by PED. MAT students are required to earn an Intern Certificate in order to complete the intensive classroom-based training, which correlates with their coursework at the University. Without an Intern Certificate, students can only function as student teachers in their respective districts. Refer to the PA Department of Education for more information.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I teach in other states with a PA Instructional I teaching certificate?
Currently, there are Interstate Agreements in place for those with a PA Instructional I certificate. If your destination state is known, you should contact that state's Department of Education to find out more details of the agreement.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the current changes in PA teacher certification?
PDE has changed the following certification strands:
  • Early Childhood Education from PreK 3 to PreK 4 after December, 2012
  • Elementary Education from K 6 to Middle Child 4 8 after August, 2013
  • Special Education from K 12 to PreK 8 and 8 12 with a second certification after December, 2012
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How will these certification changes be implemented at Pitt?
  • The Applied Developmental Psychology Plus program will incorporate the changes in both the Early Childhood and Special Education certifications. The program is awaiting final PDE approval.
  • The Middle Child certification is being designed and once it is approved by PDE will be implemented. The first Middle Child certification program will focus on the Math and Science concentrations.
  • The new Special Education certification program is awaiting final PDE approval.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  As an underclassman interested in the Middle Child certification, what should I major in?
Consider a major in a Math and Science combination. The first Middle Child certificate that will be submitted for PDE approval will be the Math and Science certification. Students interested in the Middle Child certification should check for updates on our website.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is Act 48?
All certified school personnel are covered under Act 48. Effective July 1, 2000, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted Act 48, mandating a continuing professional education program for educators to maintain active certification.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I earn Act 48 credits and submit my courses or hours for credit?
Please visit our Act 48 web site for information on complying with Act 48 and reporting your credits or hours to the PA Department of Education.

Graduation

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How and when do I apply for graduation?
Application materials are available online as well as in the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. Students should submit the application and supporting documents during the first two weeks of their last semester of study.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When and where is graduation held?
Graduation occurs three times a year: December, April and August. However, a commencement ceremony is held only once a year, after the Spring semester. The School of Education sponsors a graduation ceremony for its students, which is usually held in the Soldiers and Sailors auditorium in Oakland. Students are also invited to participate in the University ceremony, which is held later the same day at the Petersen Event Center.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When will I receive my diploma?
Once your application is reviewed and approved by the Dean's Office, your graduation is authorized and your diploma is ordered. Your diploma and a complimentary official copy of your transcript will be mailed to you approximately four weeks after the end of the term in which you graduate.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do I still need to apply for graduation even if I am not attending the commencement ceremony?
Yes, all students must apply for graduation. It is not an automatic process.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do I still need to apply for graduation if I am in a certificate-seeking program?
Yes, all students must apply for graduation.

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