APPLY TO MESSIAH

Required Tests by Certification

The table below lists the specific exams (along with their codes) that are required by Pennsylvania for each of the certification programs offered at Messiah University. It is important to note that these are the exams that are currently required by Pennsylvania. If you are seeking certification in a state other than Pennsylvania, you may find that the required exams are different. When you register, don’t forget to list Messiah University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education as score recipients.  Most are Praxis exams administered by ETS.  Exams administered by Pearson are bolded. All are computer tests.

See link at left for test preparation materials and advice.

Make a copy - When you register online for Praxis exams, the results are posted one month after your test date.  You can access these for a period of one year. You are encouraged to make a copy of results for your records, as you might be asked to provide this with some job applications.

Any certification can add grades 5&6 to your certification by taking and passing the Praxis II tests 5154 and 5155. Apply for Grade 5 & 6 as an add-on with a new credential application after your initial certification application is approved.

GPA considerations are not in effect for add-on certifications. A passing score is required.

Art Education PK-12

5134 Art: Content Knowledge  Study Guide
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge  Study Guide

Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement no test for PA

Biology 7-12

 

5236 Biology: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

Chemistry 7-12

 

5246 Chemistry: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

Chinese PK-12

5511 Fundamental Subjects   Study Guide

5665 Chinese (Mandarin)   Study Guide

Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test.  Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification

Tips for ACTFL Testing

Computer Science 7-12 5652 Computer Science: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

English 7-12

 

5038 English Language: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

ESL Program Specialist PK-12 No test for PA

Family & Consumer Sciences PK-12

 

5123 Family & Consumer Sciences   Study Guide

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

French PK-12

(post-baccalaureate)

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

5174 World Languages: French   Study Guide

Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification

Tips for ACTFL Testing

German PK-12

(post-baccalaureate)

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

5183 World Languages: German   Study Guide

Special Note: Foreign Language candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification

Tips for ACTFL Testing

Grades PreK-4

Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems  -Pre K-4 modules 8006, 8007, 8008   Study Guide

Grades 4-8

5152 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Core Assessment (3 subtests) -  Subtests (5153, 5154, 5155) are available so that students can retake one portion of 5152 if a passing score is not received on one or more modules during the first attempt. Study Guide

AND exam(s) for your one or two concentration areas:

5156 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: English Lang. Arts

5157 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Social Studies

5158 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Mathematics

5159 Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Science

Health & Physical Education PK-12

 

5857 Health & Physical Education: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

Mathematics 7-12

 

5165 Mathematics: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

Music Education PK-12

5113 Music: Content Knowledge   Study Guide
5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

 

Physics 7-12

5266 Physics: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

 

School Counselor: Elementary K–6 OR  Secondary 7–12  
 

5422 Professional School Counselor   Study Guide

Social Studies 7-12

 

5581 Social Studies: Content Knowledge   Study Guide
Spanish PK-12

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

5195 World Languages: Spanish   Study Guide OR ACTFL OPI/OPIc/ProFluent+ and WPT: World Languages

Special Note: Foreign Language Spanish candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken to meet the requirement. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High. ACTFL Language Testing for PA certification 

Tips for Registration

Special Education PK-12 stand alone

5511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge   Study Guide

5355 Special Education: Foundational Knowledge   Study Guide

Special Education PK-12 w/ Grades PK-4

PreK-8 Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems 8006, 8007, 8008  Study Guide

5355 Special Education: Foundational Knowledge   Study Guide