$6,600
LCCC's Tuition
Per Year
Teach in NEPA
Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU), and Hazleton Area School District (HASD) are launching an educational partnership in Fall 2025 to tackle Pennsylvania's critical teacher shortage, where over 5,500 vacancies exist amidst declining education degree enrollments and record teacher attrition. This initiative aligns with Act 33 of 2023, which funds $10,000 stipends for eligible student teachers under a $20 million Education Pipeline Grant, as well as Act 69 of 2024, which caps community college transfers at 60 credits for baccalaureate degrees and guarantees junior status at PASSHE universities.
The partnership creates a streamlined, cost-effective pathway for students to earn an associate and bachelor's degree in education entirely in Hazleton, utilizing LCCC's Center and student teaching opportunities at HASD. With local teaching experience eliminating travel barriers, graduates will be positioned for employment within HASD, addressing workforce needs while fostering community ties.
GO HERE. GRADUATE HERE. TEACH HERE.
Starting Fall 2025, Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU), and Hazleton Area School District (HASD) are joining forces to address Pennsylvania's critical teacher shortage with an innovative local education pipeline.
Start Your Journey Today
Contact our admissions team to learn more about beginning your affordable pathway to a teaching career.
LCCC - 570-740-0337 - admissions@luzerne.edu
LCCC's Hazleton Center - 570-740-0790 - hazletoncenter@luzerne.edu
Commonwealth U - 570-389-4316 - admissions@commonwealthu.edu
A Seamless Education Journey Without Leaving Hazleton
- Start at LCCC - Earn your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education
- Continue with CU - Transfer seamlessly with guaranteed junior status to CU's PK-4 Early Childhood Education program
- Study Locally - Complete your bachelor's degree with in-person and online courses at the LCCC Hazleton Center
- Train Locally - Gain hands-on experience through HASD student teaching opportunities
- Work Locally - Access employment opportunities at HASD following graduation
Key Benefits
- Stay in Hazleton from associate degree through bachelor's degree and employment
- Save thousands with the most affordable education degree in Pennsylvania
- Earn over $2 million throughout your teaching career
- Start early while still in high school
- Graduate faster with our seamless transfer pathway
The Most Affordable Education Degree in Pennsylvania
TheNumbers
$7,716
Commonwealth University's
Tuition Per Year
$28,632
Bachelor's in Education
Total Four-Year Tuition
Pennsylvania currently faces over 5,500 teacher vacancies while fewer students pursue education degrees and record numbers of teachers leave the profession.
State Support for Education Students
- $10,000 stipends for eligible student teachers through the $20 million Education Pipeline Grant (Act 33 of 2023)
- Guaranteed junior status for community college graduates at all PASSHE universities (Act 69 of 2024)
- 60-credit limit for bachelor's completion after associate degree (College Affordability & Transparency Act)
LCCC and Commonwealth University have partnered for decades with exceptional results:
- 352 Luzerne students transferred to CU in the past 5 years
- LCCC students achieve a 70.5% four-year graduation rate at CU - the highest of any transfer group
- Our "Grow Your Own" educational model prepares and retains teachers locally
For the first time in history, students can earn both associate and bachelor's degrees in education without ever leaving Hazleton - creating a direct pipeline from education to employment in our community.
The Best Pathway To A Debt-Free College Education