Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

The Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) Certification program is available for teachers who already possess, or are currently pursuing, initial teaching certificates. The program was designed to address the dramatically increasing need in education for certified Instructional Technology Specialists at every level of K-12 schooling. 

Expertise is required in technology planning, assessment, and implementation, as well as how to integrate technology into the curriculum and provide staff development and long-term support. The program can be done as part of a master's degree program or as an independent certificate program.  Program strengths include:

• technology-based learning combined with a field-based experience
• focus on leadership development for using and implementing technology
• incorporation of research in creativity and creative problem solving
• heuristic diagnostic learning – focuses on individual learner, the content and pedagogy
• depth of the professional, technological and teaching experience of faculty

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the ITS Certification program come from a variety of undergraduate and graduate backgrounds. Applicants should have an avid interest in the use of technology in the teaching and learning process, initial teaching certificate, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate work. 

Applicants must interview with the graduate advisor before completing a graduate application. During the interview, the applicant’s transcripts and life experiences are evaluated in relation to Pennsylvania state standards for the certification area. Specific content courses are generally not required for students working toward the ITS Certification.

Although applicants for the ITS Certification program should ideally possess valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Teaching Certification, students working towards initial elementary or secondary teacher certification may be permitted to begin working toward the ITS Certification prior to being certified.

Program Requirements

Minimum course requirements for the ITS Certification program include 18 credits of specific pedagogy as outlined below. These credits may be incorporated into the graduate Science of Instruction program or into the electives portion of another approved Drexel master’s degree program.

Students must achieve the grade of B or better in each graduate level course needed for certification and receive passing Praxis Exam scores in order to satisfy requirements for the desired certification.  Students will not be recommended for the ITS Certificate until all course requirements are met, initial teaching certificate has been received, and all required sections of the Praxis Exams have been taken.

Students who possess a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Teaching Certificate may apply for the Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate upon successful completion of these core courses and continue working toward the master's degree requirements.

Core Courses for ITS Certificate Program

The ITS Certificate program requires the completion of six core courses totaling 18 credits.

Master of Science Degree Requirements

Once students complete the 18 core credits for the ITS Certificate, an additional 11 credits of Core Pedagogy Courses and 14 credits of Professional electives are necessary to finish the Master of Science in the Science of Instruction degree.