Parenting classes by state · Pennsylvania
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the court-ordered parenting / parent-education requirement is the Court-ordered parent-education seminar (the name varies by county — e.g., "Our Children First," the "Generations Program" / "Able to Adjust," an "Educational Parenting Seminar," or "Education Program for Separated Parents"), overseen by Each county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) mandates and administers the seminar by local rule; the statewide court system is the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) within the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.. Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, and how to find a course your county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) will accept.
Quick answer: parenting classes in Pennsylvania
Varies by court / county. Pennsylvania has no single statewide parent-education mandate: 23 Pa.C.S. § 5332 only says a court "may" direct parents to an informational program, so the requirement is set county-by-county by local Court of Common Pleas rules — and most of the 67 counties require a roughly four-hour seminar when a child under 18 is involved in a divorce or custody case. Whether it can be taken online varies by county (Allegheny County's course is fully online; some counties such as Juniata/Perry hold in-person sessions only), so parents should complete the specific program named in their county's scheduling order rather than picking any online provider. your county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is a parenting class required? | Often — required by many counties/courts (not uniformly statewide) |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | Parents with a child under 18 who file for divorce or custody generally must complete it — in the many counties whose local rules require it, both parents attend, typically before the custody conference/conciliation and before a divorce decree is entered. |
| Typical length | typically 4 hours (set by each county) |
| In person or online? | Varies by court / county |
| Program name | Court-ordered parent-education seminar (the name varies by county — e.g., "Our Children First," the "Generations Program" / "Able to Adjust," an "Educational Parenting Seminar," or "Education Program for Separated Parents") |
Pennsylvania-specific rules to know
- No uniform statewide law: 23 Pa.C.S. § 5332 makes attendance discretionary ('the court may direct the parties to attend informational programs'), so the actual requirement comes from each county's local rules — but most of Pennsylvania's 67 counties have adopted them.
- Both parents/parties must attend; they generally may take separate sessions rather than the same one.
- In many counties the court will not enter a divorce decree where there are children under 18 until both parties complete the seminar, and in custody cases it must be done before the conciliation/custody conference.
- Program name, format, provider, fee, and deadline all differ by county (e.g., Allegheny's online 'Able to Adjust' step of the Generations Program, Montgomery's 'Our Children First,' Dauphin's four-hour 'Educational Parenting Seminar').
- Failure to attend can bring contempt, financial sanctions, or dismissal of a custody pleading; a waiver (e.g., for a prior equivalent program) may be available at the court's discretion in some counties.
Find an approved parenting class in Pennsylvania
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one your county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Pennsylvania doesn't publish one central approved-course list — your county's Court of Common Pleas (family court), your clerk of court, or your county's family-law self-help center will tell you which courses are accepted for your case.
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for parenting classes in Pennsylvania — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Can you take it online? Whether an online parenting course is accepted in Pennsylvania depends on your court or county. An approved online course can be the fastest way to finish — but confirm your county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) accepts your specific course first. How court-approved online parenting classes work →
Source & accuracy: compiled from Each county's Court of Common Pleas (family court) mandates and administers the seminar by local rule; the statewide court system is the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) within the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. and official Pennsylvania court sources. Requirements change and vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/23/00.053..HTM, palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=23&div=0&chpt=53&sctn=32&subsctn=0, pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpabulletin%2Fdata%2Fvol47%2F47-6%2F227.html, pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol34/34-12/470.html, alleghenycourts.us/family/departments/child-custody/generations-program.