Greater Philadelphia-Camden corps members must register for and take exams called The PRAXIS Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers for their respective states. Applicants assigned to Greater Philadelphia-Camden will receive more information about these exams once they are accepted, but below you will find more specific information regarding certification in Philadelphia and Camden. Options, requirements, and costs vary depending on placement city, and we encourage applicants to note these differences.
All Philadelphia corps members who are not already certified are required to enroll in the Teacher Intern Certificate Program, Pennsylvania's alternative certification program. Through this program, corps members have the opportunity to gain their Level I Instructional Teacher Certificate in two years. Teach For America currently partners with Chestnut Hill College for special education and early childhood education certification coursework and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education for certification coursework in all other subject areas.
In both of these programs, most corps members meet for classes once per week and one weekend per month. The current discounted tuition rate for certification for one year ranges between $6,000 and $8,000 for corps members at Chestnut Hill. Total certification coursework costs for the two-year program are approximately $12,000 to $16,000. Corps members attending Chestnut Hill College receive a master's degree in conjunction with their certification for the same cost.
Corps members attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education can choose to pursue just certification for a total cost of $8,400 over two years. Corps members at the University of Pennsylvania also have the opportunity to pursue a master's degree for a total of $36,000. Corps members qualify and can apply for financial aid in the form of federal loans. In addition, after completing their first year of teaching, they currently receive an AmeriCorps education award, which can be applied to the second year's tuition or used to pay back financial aid loans accrued during the first year.
Certification programs for new teachers in Pennsylvania can be expensive. In addition to the AmeriCorps education award, corps members currently benefit from a tuition discount at both universities, which is included in the cost cited above
All corps members teaching in Camden become certified at the end of their first year of teaching. Corps members who do not already have New Jersey certification are required to enroll in a state-approved certification program. Early childhood education teachers are enrolled in the certification program through Montclair State University. Teach For America corps members are also assigned a full-time, in-class mentor for 20 days and an on-site mentor for one year by their school district. Upon completing the alternate certification program, corps members are permanently certified to teach anywhere in the state.
The cost of tuition for the New Jersey alternate route certification program is approximately $2,300, including the cost of a mentor. Additional costs may be associated with specific certifications. Corps members are able to pay in installments beginning in the Fall.
Additionally, through a recent agreement between the University of Pennsylvania and the New Jersey State Department of Education, Camden corps members are now able to pursue their certification or their certification and master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Though New Jersey does not require a master’s degree in order to teach, Camden corps members who wish to pursue a master’s degree have that option.
| Costs to Begin Teaching |
|---|
| Testing: Philadelphia $260-420 (varies by placement) Camden $130-220 |
|
Processing: Philadelphia $150-300 (transcript and fingerprinting fees vary by school and state) Camden $250-400 (certification) |
| Up-front Certification Program Cost: Philadelphia $50 (application fee; deposits are waived for corps members) Camden $0 ("Credentialing Cost") |
| Costs to Maintain Certification |
|---|
| Philadelphia $8,400-16,000 (The higher price reflects the certification and master's degree at Chestnut Hill.) Camden Up to $2,300. (With option to pursue a master's degree. Additional costs may be associated with certain certifications.) |
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