Teacher Candidacy

Teacher Candidacy Website (Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services)

What is Teacher Candidacy?

All candidates seeking either a degree or certification in teaching must apply for Teacher Candidacy, a process required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that is different from being admitted to the University. This provision applies to those who have already received University admission to pursue majors in educator preparation. Achieving Teacher Candidacy enables educator preparation candidates to enroll in the advanced coursework required to complete degree and certification programs.

Requirements

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) guidelines for achieving Teacher Candidacy, effective August 1, 2015, candidates who complete 60 or more credits of college-level coursework may register for additional professional education courses as long as those courses are not designated as advanced-level professional education coursework (please contact your program chair or advisor for guidance).

The minimum standards for Teacher Candidacy to a WCU educator preparation program include the following:

  • Major in an educator preparation program or enrolled in an elective certification program
  • 48 semester-hour credits of college-level study
  • Pennsylvania’s Chapter 354 and therefore, the PA Department of Education, requires a 3.0 for candidacy. However, those with a 2.8 or above may be conditionally admitted.
  • Six semester-hour credits of college-level (100 level or above) mathematics
  • Three semester-hour credits of college-level (100 level or above) English composition
  • Three semester-hour credits in literature taught in English

    NOTE: Honors students can use the completion of HON 212, HON 313, and HON 352 for three credits of English composition, three credits of English literature, and a math course. All three courses must be completed.
  • Completion of an Ethics Module (Required for all students as of September 1, 2025). You must also create an account and log in to complete it.
  • Recommendation by the department of the candidate's major. (Department recommendation may be contingent upon completion of additional and/or more rigorous requirements than the minimum described above.)
  • Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period. After July 8, 2025 basic skills testing could be reinstated as a requirement for Teacher Candidacy.

WCU educator preparation candidates who achieve Teacher Candidacy must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 to retain Teacher Candidacy status. In most cases, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be earned to qualify for Pennsylvania certification. Each program has designated, for its own majors, its advanced professional courses. Only those candidates who have completed the Teacher Candidacy process are eligible to take these courses. The Office of Candidate Services processes all applications for Teacher Candidacy.

Candidates who have Teacher Candidacy status and later fall below the required cumulative GPA are permitted to repeat advanced professional education course work to improve their GPA to the required level (2.9). Such candidates will not, however, be permitted to register for additional advanced professional education course work in their programs until they again achieve the minimum cumulative GPA required for Teacher Candidacy (2.9).

How do I apply for that?

How to apply

How to check your Teacher Candidacy Status?

  • Log into Navigate
  • Click the "Courses" tab. 
  • Check under the Pre-Enrollment and Progression section.
  • Your Teacher Candidacy status is listed there.
  • If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.8, your Teacher Candidacy status will be removed from your record, and therefore, you will not be able to take advanced professional education courses.
  • Once you raise your cumulative GPA again, email CandidateServices@wcupa.edu, to have your Teacher Candidacy status reinstated.

Contact

Kelsey Organ, Associate Director, Ehinger Office Annex 114, 610-436-0042