University Times

Pitt's Bradford campus has received approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to certify teachers in 12 academic areas, the first time the campus has had its own teacher certification program.

Pitt-Bradford has had a program to prepare students to become elementary teachers, said Clythera Hornung, assistant professor of education. To prepare students to be secondary teachers, the campus contracted with St. Bonaventure University to provide teaching methods courses and supervise student teachers.

Pitt-Bradford will offer certification for teachers in business, which includes computer and information technology; biology; chemistry; citizenship education; communication; earth and space science; elementary education; English; environmental education; general science; mathematics, and social science.

Hornung said having the program accredited for five years will have a positive impact on enrollment.

According to Michael Stuckart, interim vice president and dean of academic affairs, Bradford is only the third college or university in the state to be accredited under the state's new law governing the preparation of teachers.