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Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education

A young male teacher standing in a classroom with students in background behind him

Become an excellent teacher who inspires students and changes the world.

Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Teacher Education prepares undergraduate students to earn their Pennsylvania teaching certification. Our curriculum is fully aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification standards for Instructional 1 certification.

Students can major in:

  • For Grades 7-12 — English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, or Social Studies Education
  • Grades PreK-12 — Special Education, or World and Heritage Language Education (Foreign Languages)

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Enrollment Term

Fall and Spring

Format

In-Person

Credits

Minimum of 120 credits

Application Deadline

Fall Term - March 1 (Priority Deadline)
Spring Term - November 1 (Priority Deadline)

Duration

Four years
(Students apply to School of Education after earning 48 credits)

Upcoming Info Sessions

General Info Session (Virtual)

August 10, 2026 | Noon – 1 p.m.

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General Info Session (Virtual)

September 21, 2026 | Noon – 1 p.m.

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General Info Session (Virtual)

October 19, 2026 | Noon – 1 p.m.

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Program Overview

Major in Teacher Education

Our Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education prepares undergraduate students for teacher certification. Our goal is to help you be the spark that ignites learning in schools and across communities. We want you to become an effective teacher who can make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.

Teacher Certification Options

Per the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, our program offers pathways to licensure in:

  • Grades 7-12 | Secondary Education in English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
  • Grades PreK-12 | Special Education or World and Heritage Languages

Specializations Available

  • Students in the World and Heritage Languages area can become certified to teach Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish.
  • Students in the Science Education area can specialize in either Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Physics.

Optional ESL Endorsement

Our students have the option of completing a Minor in Teaching English as an Additional Language while earning their teaching degree. The 15-credit program leads to an English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist Endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Please speak with your advisor before adding this minor.

Additional Programs

For students who are interested in becoming certified to teach in elementary schools we recommend you explore our Combined Applied Studies in Education (CASE) 4+1 program. The CASE program allows you to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.

Dedicated Advising Support

Our teacher education students are assigned a dedicated staff advisor. Your advisor is knowledgeable about the major’s academic requirements, Pitt resources, and will provide holistic and collaborative support.

Greg Maranowski headshot


Program Advisor:
Greg Maranowski

To Schedule an Appointment:
Current students should schedule an appointment through Pitt Pathways. Prospective students can email him directly at gwm23@pitt.edu

 

Robert Revenis
“My experience here has impacted my future as an educator and given me invaluable memories inside and outside the classroom. From professional development to tangible curriculum, the Pitt School of Education has given me something I have found nowhere else."
Robert Revenis, Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education student
Emily Janosko
“The Pitt School of Education has opened my eyes to the importance of educational equity. They have provided me with a wide array of tools to bring justice to the classroom.”
Emily Janosko, Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education student

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Curriculum

Major Courses

The required major courses in the School of Education are designed to prepare students to become teachers who are ready to effectively lead classrooms. Your courses include pedagogy, student support, and student teaching experiences.

The Special Education track has 36 credits required, while all the other tracks are 33 credits.

The major area courses will be completed after declaring your major in the School of Education.

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Content Area Courses

Students are required to complete coursework through Pitt’s Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences based on the content area in which they are earning their teacher certification. This provides students with the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary education that will make them content experts in the subject areas that they will teach in school. The required credits vary based on the program.

The courses are between 21 – 39 credits depending on your content area track.

Students are advised to begin completing these courses prior to entering the School of Education so that there is sufficient time to dedicate to the Teacher Education Major Courses in the final two years of study.

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General Education Requirements

All students are required to take the University of Pittsburgh’s required general education courses for undergraduates from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. The credit hours will vary.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education specifically requires that the following courses must be completed.  These can count towards the student’s General Education Requirements.

(1)  At least 6 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college-level mathematics.

(2)  At least 6 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college-level English composition and literature.

Students should begin completing these courses prior to starting the Teacher Education Major courses. General Education requirements must be completed prior to graduation. 

Program Faculty

Program Coordinator

Sheila-Conway
Ghirmay Alazar
Katrina Bartow Jacobs
Loretta Fernandez headshot photo. She is a woman with curly hair standing in a lobby of an office
Martez files photo
Heather Hendry
Doug Kostewicz
Cassie Quigley
Rachel Robertson
Khirsten Scott
Phillandra Smith
Kaylee Wynkoop headshot

Career Pathways

The certifications offered by the program provide students with an entry point into the teaching profession, including positions as:

  • Teacher in grades 7-12 in English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies
  • Teacher in grades PreK-12 in World Heritage Languages
  • Teacher in grades PreK-12 in Special Education

Prerequisites

All students are required to take 9 credits of School of Education prerequisites.

  • TLL 1580 Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)
  • Either TLL 1581 Critical Histories of Education (3 credits), 1582 Cultures, Knowledge Traditions, and Social Systems of Schooling (3 credits), or EFOP 1001 Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
  • Either HHD 1003 Development: Middle Childhood through Adolescence (3 credits), PSY 0310 Developmental Psychology (3 credits), or PSY 1355 Adolescence (3 credits)
    • HHD 1002 Development: Conception through Early Childhood (3 credits) is an option for students on Special Education or World Language tracks.

While we prefer the prerequisites to be completed prior to beginning the program, we will admit students without them if they can fit the prerequisites into their studies. 

Admission Requirements

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