Post Baccalaureate PDE Certification in Health and Physical Education
Credential: This program does not lead to a master's degree.
Certification: Students are eligible for PA Instructional I Certification K-12 HPE (Pennsylvania Department of Education). Students who are emergency certified in Pennsylvania should contact the Program Director for information on the Intern Certification program.*
Location: Online
Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD
Program Overview: This program offers a pathway to Pennsylvania teacher certification for individuals who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in any field. All coursework is offered in an online format which incorporates field placement opportunities within the student’s community. One semester (Student Teaching, 16 weeks) or one school year (Intern Certification Program) must be completed in person within the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.
Program Mission Statement: The Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Health and Physical Education program is designed to equip graduate candidates to teach in both public and private educational settings and to meet the present and future needs of students by providing sound pedagogy that reflects a biblical worldview.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and technology in health and physical education.
2. Design appropriate health and physical education teaching and assessment materials for K-12 learners.
3. Integrate a biblical worldview in designing and teaching content in health and physical education.
4. Apply knowledge and competence in the delivery of content of health and physical education.
5. Incorporate practices of safety and equity in meeting the diverse needs of students in the health and physical education setting.
6. Analyze the needs of students and adapt instruction to meet specific needs.
7. Demonstrate professionalism in school and community settings.
8. Develop collaborative relationships with professionals in the field of health and physical education.
*Intern Certification Program: As part of the path towards certification, a student can enroll in the Intern Certification Program established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which is an alternative route to receiving certification through a “professional [intern] certificate that entitles the holder to fill a full-time professional teaching position” (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2025).
Upon 1) completion of all program requirements and Post-Baccalaureate coursework, excluding EDU590 and EDU591, 2) passing required state certification tests, and 3) receiving the Intern Certificate from PDE, the student will be enrolled in the Intern Program at Lancaster Bible College. This allows the student to teach full-time while receiving monthly formal observations from a college supervisor instead of the traditional path of student teaching. After one school year with satisfactory ratings on all evaluations, the student will be recommended for Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification.
Curriculum Structure and Program Requirements (42 credits)
| EDU 519 | Foundations & Framework for Learning | 3 |
| EDU 523 | Theoretical Foundations of Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDU 550 | Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education | 3 |
| HPE 500 | Administration, Ethics, and the Law in Health, Physical Education and Sport | 3 |
| HPE 510 | Technology in Health, Physical Education, and Sport | 3 |
| HPE 520 | Adapting and Assessing Student Learning for Diverse Populations in HPE | 3 |
| HPE 530 | Current Topics in Health Education, Physical Education, and Sport | 3 |
| HPE 540 | Advanced Methods and Motor Learning in Elementary Physical Education | 3 |
| HPE 550 | Advanced Methods in Secondary Physical Education | 3 |
| HPE 560 | Advanced Methods in Health | 3 |
| HPE 570 | Instruction and Assessment for the English Learner | 3 |
| EDU 590 | Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience | 3 |
| EDU 591 | Student Teaching | 6 |
Admission, Retention, and Completion
Admission Requirements
Admission into a post baccalaureate program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of Lancaster Bible College. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog. Graduate students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted to the program under provisional status with Program Coordinator approval. In provisional admittance status, the student must maintain a 3.0 in the first 12 credits of the program and take GWW 500 Graduate Writing Workshop in order to be fully admitted into the program.
Specifically, for the HPE Post-Baccalaureate program, students must show coursework in 1) Aquatics and 2) Anatomy & Physiology (or Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology).
Transfer Credits
Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.
| Graduate Program |
Program Credits |
# of Transfer Credits |
Age of Transfer Credits |
Min. Grade of Transfer Credits |
| Post-Bacc HPE |
42 cr. |
9 graduate credits |
No More than 10 years |
B |
Academic Advising
Students will be assigned a student success coach to monitor student progress and to provide encouragement through their studies. Student success coaches are available for in-person and email meetings. Students will receive and have access to the Handbook for policies and procedures. Additionally, the handbook contains advisement sheets. The Program Director will monitor student progress each semester and alert the student and the student success coach regarding any deficiencies to be addressed and criteria not being met.
Retention
Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Eligibility to enter Student Teaching
1. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
2. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
3. Renewed Child Abuse, Criminal Record, and Fingerprinting Clearances (within 6 months)
4. TB test (within 6 months)
5. Proof of Liability Insurance
6. Completion of Aquatics Requirement
7. Completion of Anatomy and Physiology (Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology) Course Requirement
8. Completion of all graduate courses
9. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College
Eligibility to Enter Intern Certificate Program
1. Employed full-time (permanent position or long-term substitute) in the area of certification within the state of Pennsylvania
2. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
3. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
4. Completion of Aquatics Requirement
5. Completion of Anatomy and Physiology (Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology) Course Requirement
6. Completion of all graduate courses
7. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PRAXIS)
8. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College
Exit Criteria
Eligibility to be Recommended for Certification
1. Completion of all program requirements and field placement requirements. EDU 591 Student Teaching or Intern Program must be completed within the state of Pennsylvania in order to be eligible for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification.
2. A minimum of a satisfactory rating (1) in each of the 4 categories on the Pennsylvania Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430). There must be 2 final forms. A minimum total of at least 4 points must be achieved on the final summative rating in order to be recommended for certification. The PDE 430 is completed by the college supervisor.
3. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PRAXIS)
4. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
5. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
6. Submitted application to TIMS for PA Teacher Certification
7. The recommendation of the LBC Certification Officer
Faculty
Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD
Dr. Angela Becker is currently an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the MEd and Post-Baccalaureate certification programs in Early Childhood Education and Health & Physical Education. Before coming to LBC | Capital, Dr. Becker taught kindergarten and second grade in York County, PA, followed by serving in Kenya as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a Language and Education Consultant. Both experiences are a testament to God's faithfulness when we remain open-handed with a willing heart to follow His leading and have been instrumental in shaping her role within the Education Department as she seeks to be part of the exceptional team mentoring educators for the glory of God.
When not immersed in the world of higher education, Dr. Becker enjoys being with her husband and three children doing whatever fun activities they can explore together inside or outside of the house. They especially enjoy reading, baking, coloring/painting, going for walks and bike rides, swimming, playing at the playground, spending time with family/friends, and being outside as much as possible no matter the weather.
Education:
EdD in Educational Psychology, Regent University
MEd in Teaching and Curriculum, Penn State University
BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Grove City College
Faculty:
Angela Becker, EdD
Tom Randolph, EdD
Gwen Shenk, MEd
Adjunct Faculty:
Mark Ashley
Brian Barnhart
Jeff Briggs
Chelsea Cook
Brian Hobbs
Heath Hooper
Scott Long
Jason Molloy
Wesley Smith