Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program

[Jonathan Whatley]

Note these requirements for a postbaccalaureate teacher preparation program to be Pell-eligible, from the Code of Federal Regulations:

An otherwise eligible student who has a baccalaureate degree and is enrolled in a postbaccalaureate program is eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the period of time necessary to complete the program if—

(1) The postbaccalaureate program consists of courses that are required by a State for the student to receive a professional certification or licensing credential that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in that State;

(2) The postbaccalaureate program does not lead to a graduate degree;

(3) The institution offering the postbaccalaureate program does not also offer a baccalaureate degree in education;

(4) The student is enrolled as at least a half-time student; and

(5) The student is pursuing an initial teacher certification or licensing credential within a State.

Criterion 3 rules out most colleges and universities with a teacher preparation program.