Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Penn State’s College of Education is regularly ranked among the nation’s top graduate schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Nationally Recognized
Our graduate education programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Pennsylvania Educators Can Meet Act 48 Requirements Online
The requirements for maintaining an active Pennsylvania professional educator’s certificate changed in 1999 when House Bill 8, now known as Act 48, was signed into law. Every five years, educators must complete one or more of the following:
- 6 college credits (graduate or undergraduate)
- 6 credits of continuing professional education courses (available through Intermediate Units)
- 180 hours of continuing professional education programs, activities, or learning experiences (i.e., noncredit programs)
- Any combination of credits or activity hours that equal 180 hours (each credit equals 30 hours)
Penn State is an Act 48–approved provider for Pennsylvania educators. Education courses delivered online through Penn State World Campus can help you meet your Act 48 requirements as you maintain your professional and personal commitments.
Graduate-level Programs
By taking courses online through Penn State World Campus, you can choose from many different areas of education, including the opportunity to earn a master's degree in education while fulfilling your professional development requirements:
Educational Leadership
(Master of Education)
Broaden your leadership potential as a teacher or administrator and meet your professional development goals with one of the three educational leadership options offered in this online master's degree program.
Curriculum and Instruction
(Master of Education)
Advance your understanding of equitable and just curriculum, teaching and learning, schooling, and supervision. Join a vibrant community of educators working to address complex issues facing education today. Work with a faculty adviser to create a personalized plan of study that will help you achieve your goals.
Higher Education
(Master of Education)
Gain the practical skills you need for a successful career in postsecondary education. This online degree program is part of a higher education curriculum at Penn State that has been training professionals in the industry for more than 50 years.
Learning, Design, and Technology
(Master of Education)
Learn to evaluate the impact of technology on learning while you expand your skills in instructional design and instructional technology. This online master's degree program explores best practices in the field of learning design using practical, real-life examples.
Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
(Master of Education)
Develop the skills needed to serve adult learners as a teacher, trainer, or leader. This online master's program can prepare you with practical methods to effectively engage and lead in adult education.
Special Education
(Master of Education)
Learn to support students with special needs. This online degree program focuses on current issues and topics in the field of special education and gives you the opportunity to choose an emphasis in academic and behavioral supports, applied behavior analysis, or autism.
Certificates
Earn credits online without compromising your commitment to work and family. Gain the skills necessary to enhance your career potential and keep you current in your field:
Principalship
(Graduate Certificate)
Earn the certification needed for educational administration and principal positions in Pennsylvania. This 18-credit online program meets the current requirements established by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council.
Applied Behavior Analysis
(Graduate Certificate)
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an effective, evidence-based approach used by teachers and therapists to create lasting, positive change in an individual's life. This online ABA certificate program is designed to help you prepare for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) exam.
Children's Literature
(Graduate Certificate)
Explore classic and contemporary works of children’s literature as you learn about imagination and its role in the lives of children. This online program is ideal for educators and librarians, as well as aspiring children's writers and illustrators yearning to refine their craft.
Distance Education
(Postbaccalaureate Certificate)
Meet the rising demand for distance education professionals. This program — designed by the founding director of the American Center for the Study of Distance Education — focuses on adult education principles, distance learning course design, and research and evaluation in distance education.
E-Learning Design
(Postbaccalaureate Certificate)
Learn to use course design and innovative technology to create and deliver impactful online teaching and learning experiences. This 12-credit e-learning design certificate program takes a project-based approach to instructional design.
Educating Individuals with Autism
(Postbaccalaureate Certificate)
Learn to assess individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and develop evidence-based practices to enhance social, behavioral, communication, and academic gains. As the number of children diagnosed with autism continues to rise, so does the demand for skilled professionals with expertise.
Educational Technology Integration
(Postbaccalaureate Certificate)
Learn how to effectively integrate instructional technology into your curriculum to enhance your students' learning outcomes by enrolling in our online educational technology certificate program.
Institutional Research
(Graduate Certificate)
Develop the research and analysis skills needed to support institutional planning and policy formation. The curriculum includes topics such as research design, program assessment and evaluation, and the integration of strategic planning with institutional finance.
Teacher Leadership
(Graduate Certificate)
Develop the professional knowledge, skills, and competencies required of candidates for Pennsylvania Department of Education Teacher Leaders Endorsement. Continue teaching in the classroom while you pursue additional roles such as lead teacher, mentor teacher, or department head.
