This resource is intended to supply prospective and current students with information to better understand the relationship between several of Wilkes University’s programs and the state licensure process. State professional licensing boards and agencies have the right to regulate the requirements of any given profession, including but not limited to educational requirements, exams, clinical/field placement activities, faculty qualifications, and a myriad of other things. To be eligible to apply for licensure or certification in a given field, graduates must meet the requirements set forth by these boards and agencies. Colleges and universities are required to meet these requirements in their home state. In addition, institutions who choose to enroll students from other states into distance learning professional licensure programs are also subject to these regulations. As such, there may be some states for some online programs where Wilkes is not able to enroll students because we do not meet these regulations.
Wilkes University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and programs are approved by the PA Department of Education, where required. Wilkes University offers a variety of degree and certificate programs that may lead to licensure of certification available either on-campus, through distance education or a combination. Programs that lead to licensure or certification are approved by the appropriate Pennsylvania professional or certifying board, where required.
All colleges and universities participating in the Federal Title IV financial aid program and those who are members of NC-SARA are required to disclose to students whether their programs meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in their home or other states. Additionally, as of July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education implemented new legislation requiring colleges and universities to meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state where the student is located in order to enroll the student in the distance education (online) program. Before prospective students apply to a Wilkes University online program that may lead to licensure or certification, we strongly recommend that they review their program of interest below.
In some instances, the university has not yet been able to confirm whether or not our program meets the educational requirements for licensure in a given state. In addition, the state requirements can change at any time and without notice. While Wilkes reviews these regulations and requirements periodically, it is possible that our information may not be completely current. Because of these things, we strongly encourage students to check with the appropriate professional licensing board, contact information provided below, to determine the educational requirements needed, keeping in mind that these requirements can change while the student is enrolled. Please contact the appropriate admissions office, graduate or undergraduate, or the program director with any questions.
Accounting
CPA certification or licensure is not required to work in accounting. However, if one wishes to practice as a state-licensed certified public accountant, the individual must meet the state educational and experience requirements and pass the appropriate examination(s) as well as meet all other state requirements. The Wilkes University accounting major is 122 credits and meets the educational requirements in Pennsylvania to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination; however, there are additional educational and experience requirements needed in order to obtain licensure as a CPA. Other states have similar requirements, but Wilkes has not made a determination as to whether our program meets the educational requirement for the other states.
To learn more about individual state requirements for CPA licensure, visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website external website.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The Master of Business Administration was not designed to lead to any professional licensure. The program is available fully online or as a hybrid program on campus and enrolls students from any state.
Undergraduate Education
The undergraduate pre-service teacher education programs at Wilkes University are specifically designed to meet the licensure and certification requirements for Pennsylvania and are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is our practice to recommend all teacher certification candidates who qualify for initial certification in Pennsylvania, regardless of their location.
In addition to the traditional campus-based program, Wilkes offers an online early childhood initial certification pathway that typically enrolls students located in PA. Currently, Wilkes has not made a determination of whether or not any of our undergraduate teacher education programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in other states.
Reciprocity is a common pathway to teacher certification for students who wish to relocate after graduation or who reside outside of PA. As of July 1, 2024, the Department of Education (ED) also tightened the requirements for certification through reciprocity. Satisfactory reciprocity pathways must allow the student to be eligible to sit for any required examination or become immediately employed either under a provisional/conditional or a full license without the condition of additional courses or work experience before the license can be granted.
There are two pathways for reciprocity, the National Association of Sate Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) and the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC). Pennsylvania has signed on to the current NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Learn more about what that means here external website and find information specific to out-of-state students here external website. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC) external website is a relatively new state-level agreement that facilitates teacher mobility through streamlined reciprocity procedures. Currently, thirteen states, including Pennsylvania, are part of this new compact, but full implementation appears to still be in progress. Learn more and find additional resources about ITMC here external website.
If you reside outside of PA and wish to enroll in an online certification pathway, we strongly encourage you to contact the admissions office to discuss your unique situation and determine if you meet any of the criteria for enrollment. Out-of-state prospective students should also contact the undergraduate education department chair regarding reciprocity options to determine if that is a pathway that can satisfy ED requirements for enrollment.
Wilkes does not meet the requirement for any education program in Kentucky and so is unable to enroll students located in Kentucky into our online teacher certification programs.
Graduate Education – Master’s
Wilkes University offers a variety of graduate level programs designed for educators, some with and some without certification, available mostly online with some opportunities for on-ground in PA. Wilkes master’s programs in education that lead to certification are only designed to meet PA certification requirements and are approved by the PA Department of Education. Below is information pertaining to whether our programs have been designed for certification and where enrollment is available. We encourage all out-of-state prospective students to review this information.
As standalone programs, the following Master of Science in Education programs are not designed to meet any additional licensure or certification either in or out of Pennsylvania.
- Educational Development and Strategies*
- Effective Teaching
- Instructional Media
- International School Leadership
- Online Teaching
- School Business Leadership
Wilkes also offers standalone endorsements for certified K-12 Pennsylvania educators. Endorsements in PA are not required to acquire employment in a particular teaching area. They are merely a micro-credential that demonstrates additional knowledge in a particular area of study. Students from other states can enroll, but with no endorsement option. These programs were designed specifically for PA educators, but Wilkes recognizes there could be interest from students outside of PA with a similar goal of gaining additional knowledge in a specialized area.
- Autism Endorsement
- Online Instruction Endorsement
- STEM Endorsement
- Instructional Coaching Endorsement
Because these are not designed for certification, enrollment is available for all of the above programs from the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Wilkes does not meet the requirement for any education program in Kentucky and so is unable to enroll students located in Kentucky.
The following Masters degree programs have been specifically designed to meet the educational requirements for additional certification only in the state of Pennsylvania. The Middle Level Grades 4-8 certification is an initial teacher certification program also only available in Pennsylvania. All of these programs have been approved by the PA Department of Education.
- ESL Program Specialist Certification*
- Educational Leadership with K-12 Principal Certification*
- Instructional Technology Specialist Certification*
- Master of Arts in Teaching with Initial Certification Grades 4-8
- Literacy with Reading Specialist Certification
- Special Education Certification*
Programs marked with an asterisk (*) are also available as certificate-only options for certified PA educators only.
Wilkes has not made a determination if the above programs meet the educational requirements for certification or licensure in another state as they are not intended for out-of-state students, which means that enrollment from students located outside PA is limited in these online programs. Prospective out-of-state distance education students should contact our graduate admissions counselor to discuss alternative options for possible enrollment in line with the Department of Education requirements.
Locate contacts from each state department of education here external website.
Graduate Education – Doctoral
The Doctor of Education program is designed for a broad range of educators and leaders, both internal and external to the field of education. There are six possible concentrations, four of which may be completed with the option for PA certification. If PA certification is desired, this can be achieved through the following concentrations: Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Superintendent, K-12 Principal Leadership. Please note that an existing PA instructional I or II certificate may be required for some programs. There is no option for certification in the general Leadership Studies or Educational Climate and Safety concentrations. Wilkes has not made a determination as to whether these programs meet the licensure or certification requirements in any other state.
Wilkes welcomes applications from individuals located in the states listed below. However, students located outside of the state of Pennsylvania will only be eligible to opt in for certification if they meet the requirements set forth by the US Department of Education. Prospective out-of-state distance education students should contact our graduate admissions counselor to discuss these alternative options.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,Nebraska, Nevada,New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Wilkes does not meet the requirement for any education program in Kentucky and so is unable to enroll students located in Kentucky.
Locate contacts from each state department of education here external website.
Wilkes University offers engineering degrees in the following areas:
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Civil
- Environmental
- Engineering Management
Electrical, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (EAC of ABET). Civil engineering and Engineering Management programs are not accredited by ABET. Civil engineering program started in Fall 2021 and is not eligible for ABET accreditation until after the first class of graduates.
Pennsylvania does not require a license to practice as an engineer. The Professional Engineer license is only required in PA if an individual wants to pursue positions designated as a professional engineer. Wilkes University’s electrical, mechanical, and environmental engineering programs meet the educational requirement to pursue the Professional Engineer licensure in Pennsylvania. Individuals must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to obtain the first level of licensure, Engineer-in-Training. This certificate is valid in all 50 states while the individual completes the remaining requirement to achieve the full licensure as a Professional Engineer. The civil engineering program does not meet the requirements for licensure at this time. The engineering management program does not lead to any professional licensure.
Other states may have different requirements to practice as an engineer. Certain professional roles may require the Professional Engineer licensure whereas others may not. At this time, we have not yet determined if our engineering programs meet the educational requirements for licensure of the other states. In most cases though, a licensed professional engineer in PA can obtain licensure in other states by reciprocity.
Graduates of the civil engineering program will be not be able to pursue licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor as the Wilkes University program until it meets the educational requirements for this designation in Pennsylvania. Wilkes has not determined if the program meets the educational requirements in other states.
Geology
Wilkes University offer a bachelor’s degree in geology that meets the educational requirements – including field training (field camp) – to sit for the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Fundamentals of Geology exam and obtain professional licensure in Pennsylvania from the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists as a Geologist-in-Training.
The Wilkes University Geology Program (GEO) satisfies all the educational requirements for ASBOG member states. For a list of requirements of ASBOG member states, please see the state requirement matrix (.pdf).
The document below lists state requirements for professional geologist (PG) licensure in states that are not ASBOG members and provides information on whether or not the Wilkes program meets the requirements:
Requirements for Non-ASBOG member states (.pdf)The National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) external website maintains links to individual state boards where you can research the requirements of other states.
Geographic Information Science Certificate
Wilkes University offers a certificate program in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) that can satisfy some educational requirements for a variety of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certifications. These certifications are not required to practice in the field but can be useful to enhance career growth. The most widely accepted Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) certification examination is through the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI). The GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam is just one step in a larger application process. The GISP certification process can begin at any time during one’s career, but to receive final GISP approval, a candidate must have 4 years equivalent full-time geospatial experience, meet portfolio requirements, pass the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam, and complete all requirements within 6 years from portfolio approval or passing the exam (GISCI, 2020a). The portfolio combines aspects of education, experience, contributions to the field, employment, and other criteria that take several years to build. The portfolio has a point conversion system for different experiences, coursework, etc. Course points can be claimed for any GIS-related course, workshop, or other formal, documented educational activity.
Students who complete the Certificate in Geographic Information Science at Wilkes University meet the educational requirements for the exam and could attain up to 16.875 points of the required 30 in GIS coursework towards GISP certification through the GISCI.
Wilkes University’s nursing programs are accredited by CCNE and approved the by Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
To learn more about individual state requirements, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website. external website
While the University works to keep this list current, state professional licensing boards change their regulations without notice so it is still strongly advised to contact the appropriate state Board of Nursing to confirm current requirements or speak to a program advisor.
Please take note that there may be additional requirements beyond education in order to obtain licensure. For example, nursing professional licensing boards typically require background checks, fingerprinting, and national board certification with a board-approved credentialing organization. A few states require additional clinical experience or mentoring outside of what is provided during the educational experience. Students are strongly encouraged to ensure they have reviewed the requirements in the state where they intend to become licensed.
DNP and PhD
Wilkes University’s Ph.D. in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) programs do not lead to any additional licensure in the field. Courses and clinical activities typically needed for licensure are not part of these programs. Wilkes is currently able to enroll students physically located in the following states into the PhD and DNP programs:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
The Wilkes University MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs prepare students to site for the national board certification exam in the appropriate population focus.
Wilkes University is either currently approved or exempt from approval and able to enroll students who are physically located in the states below. We have determined that our program meets the state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in these states.
Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
While Wilkes’ programs meet the licensure requirements for North Carolina, we cannot currently enroll students from there due to clinical placement constraints.
Wilkes University has determined that our MSN and post-graduate certificate programs do not meet the requirements for APRN licensure in Kansas. As such, we no longer admit students from Kansas into the nurse practitioner programs for both the MSN and post-graduate certificate options.
The MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs cannot currently enroll students who are physically located in the states listed below because we do not meet the regulatory requirements to do so. As such, Wilkes has not made a determination as to whether our programs meet the educational requirements for professional licensure.
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wyoming
ABSN
The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program prepares students to take the appropriate NCLEX exam in order to obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). It is offered as an online program with a short on-campus residency. The program currently meets the requirements for licensure in the following states:
- Indiana
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
Wilkes has not determined if our program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the remaining states not listed above because we do not meet the requirements from the state licensing boards to enroll students in those states.
Traditional BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a traditional undergraduate degree program offered on the Wilkes campus. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam needed for nursing licensure in Pennsylvania.
Wilkes has not yet made a determination as to whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure in any other state outside of Pennsylvania. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the state board of nursing external website for the state where they intend to seek licensure.
Wilkes University’s PharmD program meets the educational requirements to sit for the NAPLEX (national exam) and the Pennsylvania State Law Exam (PA MPJE) that are necessary to obtain licensure as a pharmacist in PA. Licensure is required in every state in order to practice as a pharmacist. Wilkes has not determined if our program meets the educational requirements to sit for the required exam(s) of other states. The faculty and other coordinators in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy work with students to determine if there are other educational requirements that they might need to meet if they intend to practice in another state.
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website external website maintain inks to the individual state boards where you can research the requirements of the other states.