Alternative Teacher Certification: Guide to the Best Programs

If you want to be a teacher, you need to know about alternative teacher certification. There are many ways to become a teacher without following the traditional route. Let’s take a look at various alternative teacher certification routes in detail.

Article Navigation: What is Alternative Teacher Certification? | Common Requirements | How to Get an Alternative Teacher Certification | State Requirements | Alternative Routes | Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs | Transition to Teaching Program | NBPTS Certification | Alternatives in CTE | Emergency & Provisional Certification | In-District Path to Certification | Teaching Equivalency & Portfolio Evaluation | Career Info | Professional Organizations | FAQs | Conclusion

What is Alternative Teacher Certification?

Alternative teacher certification helps aspiring teachers acquire teaching licenses for specific states without completing a traditional bachelor’s in education.

Traditional vs. Alternative Teaching Certification

The traditional route to becoming a teacher is to:

• Attend an accredited university to acquire a degree in education
• Complete an accredited education degree program
• Acquire a semester or between 200 and 400 student teaching hours
• Pass state examinations

But what if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a major other than education? In that case, you can pursue alternative means of teacher certification via a variety of different programs and pathways. Alternative teacher certification will enable you to teach for your state’s public school system. According to the National Center for Education Information, over 250,000 teachers have become certified through alternative routes since the mid-1980s.

Online Teacher Preparation Programs vs. Alternative Certification for Teachers

A traditional teacher preparation program is a bachelor's in education. This degree program includes classes and in-person teaching experiences. However, many alternative teaching certification programs include the same in-person teaching experience opportunities. Alternative certification pathways also cover many of the same topics and courses taken in a bachelor’s program.

However, alt teacher certification programs are usually much quicker. They can be completed in approximately one year. Furthermore, alternative teaching certification programs require aspiring teachers to jump right into student teaching. In most traditional bachelor’s programs, student teaching begins in the third and fourth years of their studies.

Alternative teacher certification programs are ideal for:

• Aspiring teachers who have already been out of college for a few years
• Working professionals who want to change their careers
• Experienced educators who want to acquire new state licensure or expand their career possibilities

How to Get an Alternative Teacher Certification

To get an alternative teacher certification:

• Choose and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Complete your state’s student teaching practice hour requirement (usually between 200 and 400 hours). Depending on your state, you may need to acquire a provisional teaching certificate to finish your supervised teaching requirements
• Complete your state’s required licensure exam(s)
• Apply for a full teaching certification
• Maintain your licensure by completing continuing education or CE hours every few years

Common Requirements for Alternative Teacher Certification

Each state’s alternative teacher certification requirements are slightly different. This is true because each state has different licensure test objectives. However, there are some common elements shared between each state’s set of requirements.

For example, alternative teacher certification programs typically begin with a meeting or interview with the prep program’s administrator, a supervisor, or a similar professional. Aspiring teachers must then pass one or more entrance exams. Then they must supply a completed application with records of their completed bachelor’s or master’s degree.

To complete an alternative teacher prep program, aspiring teachers must complete the same tests and exams that traditional teachers complete. These include:

• The National Evaluation Series – This is a computer-based testing program administered through Pearson. It analyzes new teachers’ skills across many subjects, such as math and English
• The Praxis series of exams, which are administered by the ETS, Educational Testing Service. Praxis exams are the gold standard exams. They are used to determine if a new teacher will acquire state licensure. Although, some states such as California and Texas use different exams.

If You Have a Bachelor’s

Suppose you have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education. Then, depending on your undergraduate degree curriculum, you may need to complete a few prerequisite courses in education to qualify you for an alternative teacher certification program. Either after or within your alternative teacher certification program, you’ll need to complete both the above-mentioned exams and a semester or so of student teaching practice hours.

Many alternative teacher certification programs lead to a master’s degree. This is a great choice if you have only completed a bachelor’s degree thus far in your education.

If You Have a Master’s

Suppose you have a master’s degree in a non-education major. The process is similar to if you hold a bachelor’s. You must complete various prerequisite courses depending on your degree’s major. Those prerequisite courses are for subjects like educational philosophy, classroom management strategies, and child psychology. You’ll need to complete the above-mentioned exams as well as student teaching practice hours. In this scenario, you may benefit more from an alternative teacher program that does not lead to a master’s degree. These options can be completed quicker and get you into the classroom sooner.

Alternative Teacher Certification: State-by-State Examples

Each state has its own requirements and limitations for alternative teacher certification. This is similar to how states have different requirements for teaching licenses in general. In some states, it’s easier to acquire a teaching credential in some states, while it’s more difficult in others.

Here are some examples of state requirements for acquiring alternative teaching certification/licensure. Note that many states use the terms certification or licensure interchangeably. They mean the same thing!

California

The first alternative teaching certification California requirement is holding a bachelor’s degree in a teachable subject. Second, you must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test or the California Subject Examinations for Teachers. You may also pass an equivalent exam, but the California Teaching Council must approve it. California allows sufficient coursework in a subject to substitute taking an exam. This exception depends on the endorsement sought and the subject matter in question.

Colorado

Basically the first of the alternative teaching certification Colorado requirements is a bachelor’s degree from an organization recognized by the Colorado Department of Education. Next, you must complete a Colorado-approved teacher prep program. A Colorado-approved teacher prep program will include mentoring from a licensed teacher.

Georgia

To acquire alternative teacher certification in Georgia, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree. They must also pass the Praxis exams like traditional teachers. Plus, they must complete a state-approved alternative teacher prep program. Candidates must also complete the GACE or Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators.

Florida

To complete alternative teaching certification Florida requirements, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Then you must pass the same exams as traditional pathway educators. The exams for Florida are the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. These exams include both subject-specific and grade-specific competency tests. You must complete a teacher prep program as well.

Illinois

Illinois alternative teacher certification requires that you must have a bachelor’s degree in a content area that aligns with one or more areas of certification. You must then complete a state-approved teacher prep program under the mentorship and coaching of an already licensed teacher. Teaching certification exams in Illinois include the edTPA and the Praxis Content Knowledge Tests.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s alternative teacher certification requirements include having a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or more. Students must also complete preservice coursework. Candidates start with a Certificate of Eligibility, must complete the requirements under that CE. This essentially means completing a New Jersey-approved teacher prep program. Then, they need to apply for full teaching licensure. New Jersey’s teaching certifications are the Praxis tests.

New York

In the state of New York, the alternative teacher certification requirements include having a bachelor’s degree in the subject area in which you wish to teach. You must also complete the Praxis Educating All Students test and the Content Specialty Tests.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma alternative teaching certification requires that you must have a bachelor’s degree in a content area that corresponds with a teaching license endorsement area. You must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA. And you have worked in your specialty area for two years or more, plus complete an alternative teacher prep program. Oklahoma requires students to complete the Content Knowledge tests from Praxis. And, they must take the PPAT or Praxis Performance Assessment Test.

Ohio

Alternative teaching certification Ohio requirements require you to have a bachelor’s degree. After that, you must complete a state-approved prep or certification program, and complete state examinations. The state examinations include the Ohio Assessments for Educators, the Praxis II exam, and the ACTFL/LTI World Languages Examinations.

Pennsylvania

The alternative teacher certification PA path requires you hold a bachelor’s degree. You have to complete the same exams as regular educators. In addition to that, you must attend a Department of Education-approved teacher prep program. In Pennsylvania, you must complete the Basic Skills Assessment from Praxis, the Pearson PreK-4 and Special Education test, and the Praxis Content Knowledge Exams.

Texas

Texas teachers alternative certification path is straightforward. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The accreditation of that program must be by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Candidates must then complete a Texas ACP and pass state exams. Those state exams include the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards and the ACTFL Tests.

Top 9 Online Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs

Without a doubt, one of the most common alternative routes to certification is to attend an alternative teacher preparation program. Many quality universities offer prep programs for alternative certification for teachers. These are state-approved (or state board of education-approved) programs. These programs typically lead to a master's in teaching or a graduate degree in elementary education, or a master's in secondary education. They’re ideal for those who have bachelor’s degrees and want to change their career to teaching.

To complete an alternative teacher prep program:

• Apply to a state-approved alternative teacher prep program from a university in your state
• Complete the coursework and classes required
• Complete your student teaching requirements (and apply for a provisional teaching certificate if needed)
• Past the state teaching licensure exams
• Apply for a professional teaching certificate

Master’s Programs That Lead to Teacher Certification

There are many top master’s programs in education that lead to teacher certification. In fact, these alternative certification programs are ideal educational pathways for those who already have bachelor’s degrees.

• Dickinson State University – Master of Arts in Teaching

  This program follows the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards. All students must develop and demonstrate competency in areas like learner development, content knowledge, and planning for instruction. The program, not to mention, must be completed in two years or less.

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• Drake University – Master of Science in Education

  This program can be completed in 2 to 3 years and consists of 32 credit hours with a cost of $510 per credit. Courses each take six weeks to complete and are 100% asynchronous, with no in person requirements or online class meetings. This curriculum emphasizes contemporary and research-based pedagogy teaching methods, which can be certainly be applied to classrooms.

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• Fort Hays State University – Master of Science in Education/Transition to Teaching

  This program is available as a full graduate degree program or a non-degree program. The latter includes 24 credit hours and results in teaching licensure. The second option includes 12 extra credit hours of graduate coursework and leads to a Master of Science in Education. All students must take a written comprehensive exam at the end of the program in order to graduate.

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• Gwynedd Mercy University – Master of Science in Education/Teacher Certification

  This program enables students to prepare for teacher certification in PreK-4 Education. It also prepares students for teacher certification in Secondary Education in subjects like biology, mathematics, or social studies. The program blends practical instructional skills and teaching theoretical knowledge to result in well-rounded graduates.

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• Mayville State University – Master of Arts in Teaching

  This program is intended for individuals with non-teaching bachelor’s degrees. It allows students to acquire teaching certification in a secondary content area, such as social studies, science, math, English, and physical education. The program is 32 credit hours in total and results in licensure to teach in North Dakota.

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• Southern Arkansas University – Master of Arts in Teaching/K-12 Licensure

  The program is highly affordable. Most in-state and out-of-state students pay less than $7000 and less than $10,000, respectively. The program consists of 30 credit hours. It is 100% online. Six of the required credit hours are for an internship, during which the student may be employed as a teacher of record in a local public school.

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• University of West Alabama – Master of Arts in Teaching

  This program is fully accredited by the CAEP and the SACSCOC. All graduates are licensed to teach in Alabama when they complete the program. The program is 37 credit hours in total. It covers topics like technology and education and counseling multicultural populations.

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• Western Governors University – Master of Arts in Teaching/English Education

  This program includes 19 core courses that leverage augmented reality experiences. In this way, online students can apply their knowledge to simulated classroom environments. These complement preclinical experiences to help ensure that all teachers are ready for the classroom upon graduation. All graduates must also complete a professional portfolio and Philosophy of Teaching Statement.

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• Western New Mexico University – Master of Arts in Teaching

  The program prepares teachers to educate in New Mexico. It is available with three specializations: elementary, secondary, or special education. All students in this program serve with an intern license for two years. They may file for up to one year’s extension of their licenses. Additionally, endorsements in topics like reading education, teacher leader, or instructional technology and design are available.

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Transition to Teaching Programs

Alternatively, you can pursue transition to teaching programs. These alternative certification programs are national or regional transitional teacher certification programs. They are different from university-based prep programs in two ways:

• All qualifying coursework is offered through the program itself rather than a formal or accredited university
• A student teaching experience starts faster compared to university-based programs

Because of this, many transition to teaching programs are called residency or residency-based programs. They have the same general steps to acquire your licensure, such as:

• Apply to the transition to teaching program of your choice
• Complete any coursework required
• Complete the student teaching hours (oftentimes intermixed with the coursework)
• Apply for and complete your state exams
• Apply for state certification

Examples of Transition to Teaching Programs

There are many popular transition to teaching programs throughout the country. These include:

• Teach for America, an alternative teacher certification route in over 25 states
• TNTP Teaching Fellows, which is offered in eight states and metro areas, such as Baltimore, Maryland, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Las Vegas, Nevada
• The American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence programs, offered in 11 states where they are accepted, including Arizona, Arkansas, and Florida
• New York City Teaching Fellows, an NYC-specific regional teacher prep program
• The Mississippi Teacher Corps, for Mississippi-based teachers
• The Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago, which is for regional, Chicago-specific new teachers

Take the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, NBPTS, is a national nonprofit organization that offers teaching certification to those who already have some educational experience. Alabama and New Hampshire both incorporate NBPTS certification as a potential route to teaching licensure. With this in mind, to acquire licensure through this route, you must:

• Complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education or a related, teachable subject, like English or mathematics
• Build a portfolio of at least three years of professional teaching experience. That experience can be acquired at a private school, college, or other educational setting that doesn’t need formal state certification
• Pass the NBPTS certification exam for your desired area and submit your portfolio
• Pass teaching certification exams in your state
• Apply for a full teaching license

Alternative Teaching Certification in Career & Technical Education

Career and technical education/CTE covers subjects like business, IT, health sciences, and agriculture. At this time, many states offer alternative teaching licensure routes for prospective CTE teachers. CTE alternative licensure programs allow teachers to substitute any previous experience or education for bachelor’s degree requirements.

To acquire an alternative teaching license through this route:

• Earn either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or an industry license in a technical or career educational subject. Note that what constitutes licensure for an approved technical career varies from state to state
• Earn enough work experience in the field you wish to teach – in most states, this is five years of experience or more
• Get a formal offer of employment from a school district
• Apply for a provisional CTE certificate
• Complete a teacher prep program while teaching
• Pass your state teaching exams
• Apply for a full-on teaching license in your state once any additional requirements to the provisional license are fulfilled

Emergency & Provisional Teaching Certification

Since America is in dire need of educators, many states now offer emergency or provisional teaching certificates in areas with severe teacher shortages. These provisional licenses are also more common for subjects like science, math, and English as a second language, ESL.

Emergency or provisional teaching certificates are available to teachers who can demonstrate deep knowledge or understanding of the content area. And they can do so without having to finish a comprehensive alternative teacher prep program. Note – these alternative teaching licenses are usually limited in duration, such as for one school year. They can’t be renewed. And, you also can’t use them as a pathway to full licensure in most states.

Nevertheless, if your state of residence has experience equivalency options for licensure or requires portfolio evaluation, teaching with this certificate can help you jumpstart your teaching career. To earn an emergency or provisional teaching certification:

• Finish the minimum educational requirement for your subject area, usually a bachelor’s degree
• Get an offer of employment from a school district
• Have a school district submit a request for your provisional or emergency teaching license to the state Board of Education
• Complete any requirements needed for the certificate, like educator testing scores
• Teach as a provisional educator while your certificate is valid
• Then pass your state’s required exams for teachers and get a recommendation for full teaching licensure from your school district superintendent

In-District Training Path to Teacher Certification

Various states offer in-district teacher training that may lead to an alternative teaching license. If you take this path, you’ll get a provisional or limited-time certificate to teach while finishing a mentorship or training program in a specific school district. This pathway is usually only offered in districts that are in dire need of educators, such as low-income school districts. You can earn your teaching license through this alternative route by:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach
• Apply to an in-district training program
• Get hired as a provisional teacher
• Begin your supervised teaching experience (similar to student teaching experience) while you complete the requirements in a formal professional development plan
• Pass the state teaching exams
• Apply for your regular teaching license

At the present time when this was written, South Carolina, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Iowa, and Delaware all offer variations of this alternative licensure pathway.

Teaching Equivalency & Portfolio Evaluation

Lastly, you can take advantage of teaching equivalency and portfolio evaluation teacher certification pathways in some states.

The teacher equivalency pathway means that aspiring teachers can substitute experience in either postsecondary or private schools for the requirement of completing professional teacher prep, especially student teaching hours. You can pursue your license through equivalency by:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in your desired teaching area
• Gain teaching experience, typically three years, at a college, private school, or charter school
• Pass the required teaching exams in your state
• Apply for a normal teaching certificate

You can pursue this option in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Nevada, and New Hampshire.

On the other hand, you can pursue a portfolio evaluation. This route to teacher certification is only available in Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and New Mexico. With this pathway, you demonstrate your teaching experience through a written portfolio of your work, which proves your mastery of a specific subject and mastery of various teaching skills. The portfolio must show that you have mastered the teaching skills required by your state’s standards.

You can potentially acquire licensure through the same path as described above: get a bachelor’s degree, acquire teaching experience, submit your portfolio, then pass any teaching exams required by your state.