ABCTE Program

Steps

Person Responsible

Actions

PHASE 1

1. Visit Americanboard.org and register.

Candidate

Complete this Verification of Registration for American Board Certification form.

2. Pass the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) Exam and one content exam.

• PreK through 4th Grade
  
• Secondary Education Grades 7-12 
  • Biology 
  • Chemistry 
  • English 
  • Mathematics 
  • Physics 
  • Science 

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.

Email copies of your post-secondary transcripts to gradadmission@pointpark.edu. If you do not have copies of your transcripts available, please contact the issuing institutions and request that they send official transcripts to gradadmission@pointpark.edu, preferably electronically.

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

Candidate

• Select the Graduate and Doctorate 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 
  
  Professional Development Graduate Secondary Education (grades 7-12)

  or

  Professional Development Graduate PreK-Grade 4.

PHASE 2

4. After being admitted, register for two online graduate classes at Point Park University. Transfer credits are not approved for the ABCTE Program.

Lynn Ribar, Office of Graduate Admission

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:

PreK-4 AND Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)

• Special Education 534 - Differentiated Instructional Practices in the Inclusive Classroom

PreK-4 

• EDUC 515 - Foundations of Literacy and Writing

Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)

• EDUC 501 Instructional Methods for Secondary or EDUC 530 - Instructional Methods

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
  
• 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 Schoology 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 Schoology 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 Schoology 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 Passport to Teaching credential (uploaded through TIMS)
• Copy of your American Board test scores (sent directly to PDE from the American Board)
• Copy of the ABCTE application addendum
• All official college-sealed transcripts

Submit the ABCTE application addendum in Schoology 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 Schoology ABCTE mentoring:

• Daily lesson plans as required by your school
• Submit Weekly Log
• 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