Residency Program

Contact:  Sr. Edward Quinn, Asst. Superintendent Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Thank you for your interest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program.  Those accepted into the program will be eligible for a full-time educational placement with salary and benefits, a college education, and an opportunity to complete the PA Dept. of Education (PDE) Teaching Certification.  Through practical classroom experiences teacher preparation courses, the teacher residency candidate will develop the necessary skills to meet the needs of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia students.

Program Benefits

  • Full-time educational employment as a teacher / aide in an elementary setting.
  • Paid salary and medical benefits.
  • Financial assistance with college tuition (dependent on continued employment with the Archdiocese).
  • Pre-K4 Education Certification through the university. Content will also cover 5th – 6th grades to prepare for add-on exam.
  • Opportunity for Pennsylvania Dept. of Education (PDE) – Level I Teaching Certification requirements completion.
  • Supervision/support from Archdiocese of Philadelphia central office administrators and university educators.

Mentors & Supervisory Support

Resident candidates will work with a mentor based in the school to collaborate on daily teaching demands.  This would include such topics as school culture and procedures.

Candidates will receive additional supervision from AOP administrators and university educators to guide the professional teaching placement.

University Education

Once the candidates begin their teaching placement, they will attend a series of evening/online synchronous courses until they meet the teacher certification and graduation criteria.  Working with an academic advisor, each teacher residency candidate will be provided with a list of coursework to earn their degree and qualify to apply for Pennsylvania certification.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the Education program at the university.  A grade of “B” or higher is required in every course taken in EDC or IMS coursework.

Courses Format / Sequence

  • Synchronous and asynchronous fully online classes.
  • 18 college credits per year: Fall – 6 credits; Spring – 6 credits; Summer – 6 credits

Residency Boot Camp

The Residency Program begins with an intensive pre-service training program during the summer.  The Archdiocese will provide candidates with a three-credit course before initial work experience placement.  Learning Modules include Catholic Identity, culturally relevant and sustaining education practices, classroom management, curriculum, parent communication, lesson preparation, assessment strategies and professionalism.

Additional Criteria

  • Students must meet all admissions criteria set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  • The A.A. in Education is 60 credits and the B.A. in Education is 120 credits. Post-Baccalaureate Certifications are at least 48 credits. 70 transferrable credits with a grade of “C” or higher can be accepted.  All Education courses require a “B” or higher.  Education coursework over 10-years old may not transfer.
  • Students cannot be enrolled at another university while enrolled in the Education program.
  • Students must disclose prior academic and criminal history. Prior history may impact a student’s admissibility to the Education program.

Commitment

Tuition for Residency candidates will be paid to the college through the Residency program at no cost to the student.  Students wishing to accelerate their program may take additional courses at their own expense at a discounted rate.

Program participants receive a salary and benefits as employees of an Archdiocesan school.  Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to make a commitment to remain as employees of an Archdiocesan school commensurate with the time their expenses were paid for during the program.

Application

If you are interested in participating in this program, please complete the Application by April 5, 2024.  Once your application is received and reviewed, you will be contacted to participate in an interview.  Please note that upon acceptance into the program, you will also be required to apply for admission to the university and provide transcripts from all previous educational programs attended.