All SoPA and Tulane classes are being taught online. While SoPA offices are not open, all faculty and staff are working and available.
Please continue to check your Tulane email, Canvas, the SoPA COVID-19 FAQ, and the Tulane Emergency Management page for updates.
The Teacher Preparation and Certification Program (TPCP) at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement is a post-baccalaureate program that offers alternative certifications to those who did not pursue an undergraduate education degree but want to teach. Our mission is to develop innovative, caring, and knowledgeable educators who use an interdisciplinary approach to meet the needs of diverse learners.
As a TPCP candidate, you will choose one of our two alternative certifications:
Early Childhood Education: Pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade
Secondary Education: 6th-12th grade
Secondary education teaching candidates must also choose a subject concentration:
Courses for the corresponding certification will be paired with hands-on field experience to prepare you for your future classroom. Your level of responsibility during field experiences will increase throughout the program: from focused observations to individual and small group tutoring, and finally to whole class instruction. You will have spent 200+ hours in classrooms by the time your final clinical begins.
We have developed core principles to address the challenges and considerations of a dynamic, modern classroom.
Designing and Planning Instruction: Demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy by developing clear instructions, lesson plans, and assessments.
The Learning Environment: Create an environment of respect and rapport while establishing a culture of learning.
Instruction: Build foundational communication skills with students, engage and motivate their learning, and be flexible and responsive.
Professional Responsibility and Leadership: Participate in professional development and show leadership amongst the community of educators.
Sensitivity to Diversity: Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and learner variety in the classroom and use this knowledge to help raise the self-esteem and achievement of all learners regardless of their background, characteristics, and learning styles.
Each principle is an essential element to creating a trusting learning environment that challenges and motivates students.
Our faculty consists of veteran educators serving as leaders in the field. Each instructor brings unique classroom experiences to the program, and our small classroom size helps you establish genuine, professional relationships. Build a strong network with both instructors and classmates during your program and beyond.
Because our program is catered to post-baccalaureate students, we offer all courses in the early evening to accommodate work schedules with more flexibility in classroom field placements than a typical undergraduate program. You will be assigned an advisor to help navigate your schedule during the duration of the program.
TPCP has been awarded the TEAC accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP). This evidence-based distinction supports the continuous betterment of our program.
In response to the ongoing outbreak caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) the Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a level 3 travel advisory for South Korea and Italy. This level 3 travel advisory recommends avoiding non-essential travel to those countries. Out of an abundance of caution for our students, Tulane University has canceled the Summer 2020 coursework in Italy. Please reach out to your advisor to discuss course options.
TPCP students have the opportunity to study abroad during the summer in Ferrara, Italy—a breathtaking city dotted with Renaissance palaces and castles. Ferrara is located in the Emilia-Romagna region. This region is home to the Reggio Emilia education approach—a progressive, student-centered education philosophy developed after World War II.
Students have the option to choose two three-hour credit courses in Education, Art History, and Psychology. All courses are taught in English.
The Praxis is a national licensure exam developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and required by a variety of states for initial teacher licensure. All teacher candidates applying for initial licensure are required to:
To apply for the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation and Certification Program, students must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
In lieu of Praxis I, an ACT composite score of 22 or above OR an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1100 or higher (new SAT) or an SAT score of 1030 or higher (pre-March 2016) can be used. If a candidate has a graduate degree, their transcript exempts them from Praxis I.
Early Childhood Education candidates are required to complete 32-33 hours of course work and 210 field hours. Secondary Education candidates must complete 29-30 hours of course work and 190 field hours. Both certification levels will accumulate with a yearlong student teaching residency spanning the Fall and Spring semesters.
We offer a 20% discount to full-time teachers and paraprofessionals, including classroom assistants and assistant teachers.
Information about SoPA tuition and fees may be found here.
To receive more information on our Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation and Certification Program, please enter your details below.
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