Certification for Non-U.S. Citizens

When you apply for your teaching certificate, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires you to indicate if you are a citizen of the United States. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will follow a special set of policies and procedures to obtain a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate. The specific procedure that you follow will depend upon your particular citizenship status and personal circumstances. For this reason, Gettysburg College does not provide official guidance or advice to teacher-certification students who are citizens of countries other than the United States. Furthermore, the Gettysburg College Certification Office will not interpret the policies and procedures of the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding certification for non-United States citizens.

The Gettysburg College Certification Office will assist you in identifying relevant information and resource persons from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. However, obtaining accurate information and following the appropriate procedures for your particular circumstances is ultimately your responsibility.

Please note the following information resources:

1. The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides information about certification for Foreign-Educated Graduates on its website. This website provides valuable information for non-U.S. citizens who are pursuing teacher certification at a college or university in the United States.

2. The Pennsylvania Department of Education also provides information about Alien Provisional Certification on its website.

3. The certification application booklet provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education has information concerning U.S. citizenship on the reverse of FORM PDE 338G (see #11, "Statement of Applicant"). This form can be found in the application booklet. You can pick up a copy of the application booklet from the Teacher Certification Office, Weidensall 106 or online from the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. The application booklet has a green cover.

4. For further information or clarification of regulations governing the certification of non-U.S. citizens, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, 717-787-3356.