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Programming / Computer Science in Pennsylvania
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Pennsylvania usually teaches programming as academic CS; new CS teachers need the Computer Science 7-12 certificate, and one CS course can count as math or science.
State program: No SOAR program of study; PDE acceptance of 11.0201 or 11.0701 CTE programs ()
What a high school can deliver
Programming coursework and AP CS exams; one CS course can count as math or science.
Credentials students can earn
NOCTI Computer Programming (test 4123) (mapping to a PA programming CIP: Confirm with the agency)
Age and hour requirements
No age gate. No CS course-offering or graduation requirement; one CS or IT course in grades 9-12 may count as math or science, district's choice (24 P.S. 16-1605(c)(1)).
Other agencies involved
None
Who can teach it
Computer Science 7-12 certificate (Praxis 5652) for anyone newly hired to teach CS in grades 7-12 since Jan 1, 2023; a PDE-approved CTE program needs a CTE certificate or a PDE exception.
Child labor rules for work placements
Work permit for every minor; 8 hours a day and 28 a school week at 16-17; no federal hazardous order covers software work.
College credit after high school
No SOAR programming program of study, so no statewide SOAR credit; dual credit by written school-college agreement (24 P.S. 15-1525).
Where to go next
- The full Programming / Computer Science guide, showing Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Programming / Computer Science in other states
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