The Cooperative Education Certification Program is designed to prepare individuals with the skills needed to function in the role of a Cooperative Education teacher coordinator. Co-op coordinators are responsible for planning, organizing, and administering work experience programs for high school students, which correlate the theoretical learning activities of the classroom with practical learning experiences on the job.
The Cooperative Education Certification Program addresses the following categories:
- Program planning, development and evaluation
- School-community relations
- Student career and technical organizations
- Professional development
- Serving students with special and exceptional needs
- Assisting students in improving their basic skills
- Coordination of cooperative education
- Integrating the academic and career and technical curriculum
- Legal aspects and labor laws
- Career and technical education guidance
Program Requirements
To earn a Pennsylvania teaching credential in Cooperative Education, the following requirements must be met:
- The candidate must hold a valid Pennsylvania Vocational Instructional I or II Certificate or a Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate
- The candidate must complete 15 credits of Cooperative Education course work, to add Cooperative Education to an Instructional or Vocational Instructional Certificate
- Verify one year (2,000 hours) of non-teaching work experience
- Successfully complete the PRAXIS Specialty Area Test in Cooperative Education
Students may be exempt from some credit requirements based upon proof of previous coursework and demonstration of specific competencies.
Vocational Teacher Education Application
