Art Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania
Getting your certification to teach art has a few requirements in Pennsylvania. Discover what you need to study to earn a certificate qualifying you to become an art teacher, including exams to pass and the necessary training stages.
Overview of Art Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania
To become an art teacher in Pennsylvania, you'll earn a bachelor's degree in art education, which leads to a certification to teach students in grades PreK-12. After a student teaching semester, you'll take several Praxis exams and go through a background investigation before gaining your Level I Certificate in Pennsylvania.
| Education/Experience Required | Bachelor's degree, teacher education program |
| Exams Required | Basic skills assessment: Praxis Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or Praxis Core Academic Skills; Praxis Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge; Praxis Art: Content Knowledge exam |
| Certificate Validity | Six years for a Level I certificate |
| Certificate Extension | N/A; certificates must be converted into Level II or the certificate will lapse |
| Average Pennsylvania Salary* (2018) | $66,860 for elementary school, $67,950 for middle school, and $64,830 for high school |
| National Job Growth* (2016-2026) | 7% for kindergarten and elementary school, and 8% for middle and high school teachers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description
Art teachers get to share their love of various cultures and visual mediums with their students. You might lead your class in painting, sculpting, or drawing during studio sessions. You can also teach about various movements and eras throughout the history of art. You'll create lesson plans to use throughout the year and adjust them when necessary, due to scheduling changes that may appear. In higher grade levels, you might have a homeroom class where students begin their days before moving to other class sessions. You'll also issue grades like other teachers and conference with your students as needed.
Education and Training Requirements
Art education majors place equal amounts of emphasis on studio art and teaching. You'll find this in a Bachelor of Science in Art Education program, which includes the path to certification for PreK through high school. You can study topics in your courses that include visual culture, the philosophy of art education, and diversity. During the final year of your program, you'll get to teach on your own with the help of a supervisor, giving you the chance to experience leading a classroom before you begin your career as a teacher.
Exam Requirements
Pennsylvania requires art teachers to pass two exams specific to their subject: the Praxis Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge exam and the Art: Content Knowledge exam. The other exam requirement is the same as what other educators in the state must take. You can choose between the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. If you pick the latter, you can take all three sections (writing, math, and reading) in one sitting, or you can schedule separate appointments for each subtest.
Certification Requirements
After fulfilling all of your education and exam obligations, you'll need to clear a background investigation. You'll submit documents to check for a history of child abuse and criminal activity. After this is done, you can obtain a Level I Certificate that qualifies you to teach in Pennsylvania. You will then have six years to teach and upgrade your introductory certificate to a Level II Certificate, which is a permanent credential. To move on to Level II, you'll need to complete 24 credits of continuing education at a college or university, including six credits in art or art education.