General Science is the science addressing universal properties and involving the fundamental concepts of life, physical, earth and space, forensic, and environmental sciences.
Grade Level Scope of Certificate
An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania General Science certificate is qualified to teach all general science courses in grades 7 through 12. An educator holding this certificate is also qualified to teach first-year core biology, chemistry, and physics courses. They may also teach this content in the 6th grade. See CSPG 104 - Expansion of Secondary (7-12) Certification to Sixth Grade.
Certification Assignment
An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania certificate for general science is qualified to teach courses in life science, physical science, earth and space science, forensic science, environmental science, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). An educator with a General Science certificate also may teach first-year core courses in biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science (e.g., Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Keystone Course, etc.).
NOTE: Other Instructional certificates also may teach STEM courses depending on course content and the type of credit being given.
Restrictions
An educator holding a General Science 7-12 certificate is not certified to teach Advanced, Honors, or Advanced Placement courses in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and space science.
More information related to the agricultural sciences may be found in CSPG 30 - Agriculture.
Special Considerations:
An educator certified in this field may:
- Provide professional development related to their collegial studies;
- Serve in the role of mentor or advisor; and
- Assist students in understanding how to read content area materials.
References
Program Specific Guidelines for Certification.
PA Public School Code: §1202, §1212, §1604
22 PA Code: Chapter 4: §4.22, §4.23, §4.31
Chapter 49: §49.11, §49.81
This revision supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject. Previous printing dates on this subject: 1973, 3/75, 3/78, 2/82, 1/87, 7/04, 11/13, 3/14.
Summary of Changes
| Date of Revisions | Major Changes to CSPG #46 |
|---|---|
| 6/11/2025 |
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| 6/8/2023 |
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| 3/1/2014 |
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| 6/1/2005 | Provided clarification that a General Science certificate may be used to teach introduction to Earth and Space Science, but not advanced Earth and Space Science. |
| 7/1/2004 |
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| 6/1/1992 | CSPG #33 Listed definitions for all areas of sciences and corresponding appropriate certifications. |
| 3/1/1975 | CSPG #33
|