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Master's Equivalency

The Letter of Equivalency for Master's Degree (MEQ) is issued as verification that the candidate has earned at least thirty-six (36) hours of graduate-level credit in accordance with Chapter 49.191(1) State Board of Education regulations.  The MEQ is issued for salary purposes only and does not reward the holder the entitlements of an earned master's degree.

Candidates for a MEQ must have earned 36 graduate semester credits with a grade of "C" or better.  On a Pass or Fail basis, Pass is acceptable.  A minimum of 18 academic graduate credits must be earned in the content area of the applicant's primary teaching assignment at a college/university approved by its respective state department of education to offer graduate work.  The credits may be in one of the following distributions:

  • All graduate semester credits earned in a college/university approved for granting graduate credit;
  • A minimum of 18 graduate semester credits earned in a college/university approved for granting graduate credit, with the remaining 18 credits earned throught Pennsylvania in-service programs approved after October 1, 1972, by the Secretary of Education; or
  • A minimum of 18 graduate semester credits earned in a college/university approved for granting graduate credit with the remainder being a combination of graduate college/university and Pennsylvania in-service credits.

MEQ Application


For additional information, please contact:

Barb Seifert | Chief, Division of Certification Services
Pennsylvania Department of Education - School Leadership and Teacher Quality
333 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: 717.787.3356
ra-teachercert@pa.gov | www.education.state.pa.us
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