- Complete your application in the TIMS certification management system. Use the file How to Submit your TIMS Application to help you set up your TIMS account. Also, review the section below entitled “Some helpful tips before you begin.” It is important to follow the directions carefully.
- Review the TIMS Credential Application Process.
- Submit your TIMS Credential Application form to the appropriate contact person at PennWest.
- Current student teachers pursuing initial certification should send the TIMS Credential Application form to your campus field services coordinator.
- Candidates in advanced programs must send the TIMS Credential Application form to
their program coordinator.
Your field services coordinator or program coordinator will forward your approved TIMS Credential Application to the appropriate campus Office of Clinical Experiences for processing.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Division of Certification Services oversees educator certification in Pennsylvania. PDE requires assessment of candidates in General Knowledge, Professional Knowledge, and Subject Area Knowledge prior to issuing a certificate.
Certification Testing Information
Prior to applying for certification, you must take and pass the PA State required exam(s) for your specific program.
You MUST list Pennsylvania Western University and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) as recipients for all exam scores.
PDE Certification Testing Requirements - You’ll find information here about the testing requirements. See Certification Test and Score Requirements for an Excel file which includes the test names and numbers required for each certification area along with the scores required to pass the exams.
TIMS
TIMS is the Teacher Information Management System through the Pennsylvania Department
of Education. At the end of student teaching or the completion of your program, you
will set up an account and apply for your certifications through TIMS.
TIMS Certification Application Instructions
Some helpful tips before you begin:
- You must successfully complete a Teacher Education/Administrative/Professional Program (graduate, undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) with a degree-in hand or a transcript that is endorsed by your program advisors. Please wait until your final GPA has been posted and your transcript has been updated in your student profile. You do not need to wait until you receive your diploma.
- You must take and pass the PA State required Exam(s) for your specific program. You MUST list Pennsylvania Western University as a recipient for all Exam scores.
- Have your final GPA in hand. You can view this on your unofficial transcript that includes your cumulative or final GPA. Do not submit your application before final grades have been posted. View your unofficial transcript by logging into your myPennWest account or request an official transcript at my.pennwest.edu/registrar/transcripts.
- Graduate Students: If your undergraduate information does not show in TIMS, you must add it so you will need your undergraduate GPA and graduation date too.
- POST BACC NOTE: Answer “NO” to the preparation program questions for your undergraduate
information even if your undergraduate degree was a prep
program. The application will assume you are applying for that certification. When you add your graduate information is when you answer “YES” that you completed a teacher education preparation program.
- Know your area(s) of certification for which you are applying. You can choose more than one area of certification. Choose the first area, and complete all of the fields, then add new to add the second one. You cannot add a new certification area and apply for Level II certification at the same time. You must do a Level II certification as a separate application and a separate fee.
- If there is a “save” button on a screen, you must hit save before moving forward or your information will be lost.