ABCTE Program Process

Steps

Person Responsible

Actions

PHASE 1

1. Read the Point Park University ABCTE Handbook then visit the Americanboard.org and register.

Candidate

Complete this Verification of Registration for American Board Certification form.

2. Pass the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) Exam and content exam(s) in one area:

• Special Education PreK-12
• PreK-4
  
• Secondary Education Grades 7-12: 
  • Biology 
  • Chemistry 
  • English 
  • General Science
  • Mathematics 
  • Physics 
  • Social Studies

Candidate

Submit American Board Scores and Certificate to Mrs. Beverina-Moore.

3. Apply online to Point Park University.

• After you pass the American Board Exams

OR

• • START NOW - Submit the attached waiver, with required signature, to Mrs. Beverina-Moore prior to being admitted. Also, remember to complete this Verification of Registration for American Board Certification form.

Required Supporting Documents:

• Have a seal or statement indicating no seal
• Have an authorized signature 
• Are submitted electronically to Point Park by the issuing institution utilizing Parchment or E-script online transcript services. Electronic submission is preferred.

OR

• Are mailed directly to Point Park by the issuing institution. Our address is:

NOTE: Candidates who earned their degrees at institutions outside the United States must request an official transcript evaluation from World Education Services or International Consultants of Delaware (all non-English transcripts must also include English translations) and have that evaluation sent directly to Point Park University.

Email your American Board scores and certificate to Mrs. Denise Beverina-Moore.

Candidate

• Select the Master's and Doctoral Application.
• Before beginning your application, you will need to set up an account by providing a valid email address and creating a password.
• When asked for type of program, select Graduate.
• When asked to indicate type of student, select On Ground.
• When asked to indicate academic major, select one:
  • Professional Development Graduate Secondary Education (grades 7-12)
  • Professional Development Graduate PreK-4
  • Professional Development Graduate Special Education PreK-12

PHASE 2

4. After being admitted, register for two online graduate classes at Point Park University. Each graduate course is 3 credits.

After earning your Instructional I Certification, these 6 credits can be used toward a master's degree (and possible additional certification) in the following areas:

• Master of Arts in Special Education
• Master of Education in Reading and Literacy
• Master of Arts in Educational Administration 
• Master of Education in Teaching and Leadership

*Transfer credits are not approved for the ABCTE Program. 

Lynn Ribar, Office of Graduate and Online Admissions

Mrs. Beverina-Moore, Director of Student Placements, School of Education

Candidates are required to successfully complete two of the eight-week online graduate courses listed below and earn a 3.0 GPA:

Special Education PreK-12

• SPED 542 - Intensive Reading, Writing and Math Interventions
• SPED 534 - Differentiated Instructional Practices in the Inclusive Classroom

PreK-4 

• EDUC 515 - Foundations of Literacy and Writing
• SPED 534 - Differentiated Instructional Practices in the Inclusive Classroom

Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)

• EDUC 501 Instructional Methods for Secondary or EDUC 530 - Instructional Methods
• SPED 534 - Differentiated Instructional Practices in the Inclusive Classroom

5. Pass American Board exams.

Candidate

6. Complete the Statement of Financial Responsibility form.

Candidate

7. Request approval for your 60-day teaching placement and include:

• Name of the school and school district (Must be in Pennsylvania)
  
• Teaching schedule
• School district calendar

Candidate

Candidate will acquire his or her own placement. (The placement must consist of at least 60 consecutive days of full-time, full-day teaching in the candidate's certification area. Part-time and cyber school placements are not acceptable.)

Review the chart above for the approved start dates and dates when documents are due.

Submit to Canvas Professional Development Step 7:

• Name of the school and school district
  
• Teaching schedule
• School district calendar

8. Complete Placement Verification form including School District Official’s signature.

Candidate

Submit approved Placement Verification form to Canvas Professional Development Step 8.

9. Apply for new clearances.

Candidate

• Act 33 Child Abuse History Clearance
• Act 34 Criminal History Clearance and 
• FBI Fingerprinting Clearance 
  to Canvas Professional Development Step 9.

10. Complete Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania training.

PHASE 3

11. Upon successful completion of Phases 1 and 2, candidates are required to gain permission via email from Mrs. Beverina-Moore, to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Temporary Teaching Permit (TTP).

Learn more: TIMS FAQ page

Candidate with required permission from Mrs. Beverina-Moore

In order to apply for the TTP, a candidate must supply the following to PDE:

• A TTP application submitted online via the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)
• Application fee paid via credit card through TIMS or by money order.
• Copy of your American Board certificate, American Board test scores and the ABCTE application addendum, all uploaded to TIMS.
• All official college-sealed transcripts sent electronically to PDE.

Submit the ABCTE application addendum in Canvas Professional Development Step 11.

Review the chart above for the approved start dates and dates which documents are due.

12. Using your TIMS username and password access your Temporary Teaching Permit (TTP).

Candidate

13. Mentoring Process Begins

Review the chart above for the approved start dates and dates which documents are due.

Mrs. Beverina-Moore

14. Mentoring Requirements

Candidate

Complete 60 consecutive days of full-time, full-day teaching in certification area.

Assignments submitted in Canvas ABCTE mentoring:

• Daily lesson plans as required by your school
• Submit Weekly Log and Attendance Card
• Final attendance card with last teaching date approved by University supervisor
• One lesson plan submitted prior to each of the four required virtual and/or face-to-face observations by the University supervisor
• One reflection submitted following each observation
• Complete four seminar assignments
• Compile professional portfolio

PHASE 4

15. Upon completion of Phase 3, candidate applies through TIMS for Instructional 1 Certification.

Learn more: TIMS FAQ page

Navigating the Teacher Information Management System Video:

Candidate

TIMS

Directions for Applying for Instructional I Certification