Career and Technical Teaching in Practice (CTTP) Certification Program

The Instructional I Course Sequence table describes the schedule students will follow in their coursework, based on their cohort.

The Instructional II Course Sequence table describes the schedule students will follow in their coursework, based on their cohort.

As new Career and Technical educators progress to transferring their knowledge and practice in the field to their students in the classroom, this certification program focuses initial coursework on the immediate needs of the Career and Technical classroom educator.

Course content, as well as required assignments and assessments, are designed to be applicable to the classroom environment and reflect “practice in action.” 

Career and Technical educators work to obtain proficiency of PDE competencies and course objectives in a “learn by doing” model, with specific feedback for improvement from faculty. Career and Technical educators continue to resubmit required summative assessments, during each eight-week course term, until required levels of proficiency are achieved, thus maximizing the learning experience.

The program is designed as an asynchronous cohort model, thus enabling new Career and Technical educators from across the Commonwealth to enroll and learn during times agreeable to their personal schedules.

The model allows Career and Technical educators to meet and engage with colleagues in Career and Technical Centers throughout Pennsylvania and provides the opportunity to meet weekly in a one-hour synchronous session with faculty and colleagues. Sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend, or for those desiring information from the session.

Objectives for the courses in the Career and Technical Instructional I and Instructional II Certification programs are aligned to PDE competencies, as required; however, specific course content and activities and assessments are designed in collaboration with an advisory board of Career and Technical Center Directors. This collaboration provides assurance that new Career and Technical educators gain knowledge and can demonstrate proficiency in both competencies required by PDE and practical classroom applications required for quality teaching in a Career and Technical setting.

The Point Park University School of Education will offer one course, each eight-week term, as each cohort begins. Each course, other than the Professional Teaching Practicum (6 credits) is 3 credits. Refer to the Courses & Topics section to view the course sequences for Instructional I and Instructional II Certification.

The program is designed as a cohort model, as students benefit from continuous learning, applicable to their growth as an educator. In addition, developing relationships with other colleagues in their cohort provides further peer support in their endeavor to become high-quality Career and Technical classroom educators.

The inaugural Cohort for CTE Instructional I began Jan. 2025. Additional cohort start dates for Instructional I Certification are May 2025, Oct. 2025 and Jan. 2026, based on interest and enrollment.

The first cohort for CTE Instructional II certification begins Fall 2025, with a subsequent cohort expected to be offered in Jan. 2026.

Note: To the extent possible, Point Park University and the School of Education will work to accommodate individual student needs in course scheduling, including but not limited to appropriate course transfers from other universities and assessment of prior learning. Individualized review of transcripts is available to prospective students at no charge.

Although the content of a single course is not dependent on specific knowledge from a previous course in the sequence, the Point Park University School of Education faculty has recognized the educational benefit of student learning in a cohort environment, thus the intentional design of the program considered the University experience with this model of learning. 

When personal/professional situations arise, which lead to a student being unable to fulfill the obligations associated with the cohort model, Point Park University will strive to accommodate the student and provide a mutually agreed upon delivery of the program and course schedule.

• A photo of your government ID (driver's license or passport)
• A selfie or headshot photo
• Official transcripts for any post-secondary schools attended. Otherwise, high school transcripts or GED are required. Please request official transcripts from all schools attended and have them sent directly to Point Park at online@pointpark.edu or physical address: 

Students who desire to transfer to Point Park from another approved University Career and Technical Instructional I certification program will be entitled to receive a transcript and course review at no charge.

To be eligible for transfer to the Point Park University School of Education, Career and Technical Teaching in Practice Certification Program (CTTP), a course taken at another university must be aligned with the objectives and competencies of one or more of the required courses in the Point Park approved program. Most courses taken in other university CTE programs are transferable to Point Park. Contact Ashlee Geesaman at ashlee.geesaman@pointpark.edu to request a transcript review. There is no cost for a transcript review.

Students may request such review prior to enrolling in the Career and Technical Teaching in Practice (CTTP) Certification Program at Point Park.

Yes. Point Park University was approved by PDE in Oct. 2024 to offer CTE Instructional I Certification (18 credits) and was approved by PDE in March 2025 to offer CTE Instructional II Certification (42 credits). 

Successful completion of the course requirements for CTE I Certification and CTE II Certification will lead to the ability for the student to attain an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Career and Technical Education from Point Park University. 

Note: To attain the Associate’s Degree from Point Park University, students must have earned 50% or more of their credits from Point Park University.

Students may continue their education and earn their Bachelor’s Degree in Instructional Studies by successfully completing an additional 60 credits.

• The 2024-25 cost per course credit for the CTTP program is $514 per credit, plus a technology fee of $40 per credit. All courses are 3 credits.
  • Tuition = $514 x 3 = $1,542; Technology Fee = $40 x 3 = $120; Total Cost per course=$1,662
• The 2025-26 cost per course credit will be $528 per credit, plus a technology fee of $40 per credit.
  • Tuition = $528 x 3 = $1,584; Technology Fee = $40 x 3 = $120; Total Cost per course=$1,704

 The Accounting Department of Point Park University works with schools that provide reimbursement for tuition and can invoice them directly to avoid students being required to pay and then be reimbursed. Contact Misty Abraham, Director of Student Accounts at mabraham@pointpark.edu with specific questions. In addition, payment plans and financial counseling exists for students who hold responsibility for partial or full payment of their tuition.