Education: Middle and Secondary Level provides two opportunities for students. It offers a pathway for students to earn an Associate in Arts degree in education, which is now required for many entry-level jobs in Pennsylvania K-12 schools. It also serves as a first step for those students who wish to transfer to four-year schools so that they may earn their baccalaureate degrees in education. The program offers two levels (Middle and Secondary) with two areas of concentration for each level (Math/Science and Humanities). The Education: Middle and Secondary Level program prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate-degree granting institutions by introducing them to the field of education while guiding them through a coherent and well-rounded sequence of courses. Within each concentration, there are several possible subject areas in which to specialize; therefore, students choose from a list of content electives in those subjects. After successful completion of this curriculum, students receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree. Most graduates then transfer to a four-year institution where they earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Education and are eligible for certification to teach at the middle or secondary levels, in areas related to their concentration. Because transfer institutions require specific courses, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer along with transfer information available in the Counseling Center, as well as their advisor, to make appropriate course selections. According to Pennsylvania mandates, under Chapter 354, students need a 3.0 GPA for entry into upper-level education courses and teacher certification programs at four-year schools. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before being admitted into these upper-level courses at four-year schools.

Community College of Philadelphia was found in the year 1965. It is the largest public institution of the higher education in Philadelphia and the sixth largest in Pennsylvania with more than 70 degree and certificate programs. Many of the degree seeking students transfer to four-year institutions while others seek employment in the Philadelphia region. More than 90% of the students remain in the area and seek employment strengthening the local economy and workforce.