Are you passionate about teaching but lack the credentials to become a professional educator? Then, you should consider joining an accredited online teaching certification program.
An accredited online teaching certification is a distance learning program that approves your licensure to teach in a particular state. A solid program combines online education with hands-on classroom training to get you teaching in a snap.
Teachers are some of the most respected occupations in the country. They’re also extremely in demand due to the increase in population and the need for smaller class sizes.
If you’re devoted to making a difference in your school district, an online teaching certificate could help you accomplish your career goals faster.
In this guide, we’ll explore ways an online teaching certification can transform your teaching career. We’ll also cover the requirements for enrolling in such a program and compare it with the traditional pathway.
What is Online Teaching Certification?
Online teacher certification program (also known as alternative teacher certification) is an accelerated way to become a teacher.
Unlike traditional teacher preparation programs, which involve two to four years of full-time structured learning, an alternative certification program gives you the best of both worlds by delivering a fast, convenient, and less costly way to obtain teacher certification.
Today, alternative certification is used by many school districts to meet the skyrocketing demands for quality teachers in kindergarten, elementary, secondary schools, and special education facilities.
This approach to educator preparation is convenient and effective for career shifters and aspiring teachers with other life commitments.
Enrolling in one enables you to become a certified educator without completing a 4-year teaching degree education program.
An alternative certification program can either be in a 100% online format or combined with face-to-face tutorials. Therefore, you get all the opportunities to make your teaching dream a reality.
How Online Teaching Certification Works
Potential educators focusing on elementary and secondary education must have a bachelor’s degree beforehand.
Note: Unlike a traditional teacher preparation program where the degree must be in education, an online teaching program requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in any major.
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, the next step is joining an approved alternative certification program based on the state of the location.
An online teacher certification program gives you two options:
- Full online training: 100% online tutorial, self-paced, maximum flexibility.
- Blended training: Changeable blend of flexible face-to-face schedules and online learning.
Once you’ve completed the learning, you must take teacher certification exams before you’re licensed. Some states have their own exams besides the national teacher exams. For instance FTCE for Florida and TExES exams for Texas teachers.
The following are typical exams for potential teachers:
- Basic Skills Exam
- Content Specialty Tests
- Bilingual Education Assessments
- Competencies and Skills Exams
- Certification Exams
- National Evaluation Series
- Praxis Series
- Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educator Tests
- Praxis Subject Assessments
Note: At Teachers of Tomorrow, we provide guidance and resources to help you pass your certification exams and obtain your teacher certification seamlessly. Passing the tests and completing all requirements make you eligible for an online teaching certificate.
Pro Tip: To take your teaching profession to a whole new level, we highly recommend you earn additional credits such as certifications in specific subject areas, including science, mathematics, health, physical education, and more.
6 Ways Online Teaching Certification Can Transform Your Professional Development
Besides teacher licensing, alternative teaching certification offers a flexible and accessible pathway for educators to enhance their professional development.
The convenience of online certification provides teachers with the opportunity to acquire new skills and stay current with the latest pedagogical approaches from the comfort of their own homes.
Let’s look at the advantages of online teaching certification.
1. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in the area you wish to teach.
The biggest concern potential teachers face today is having a degree unrelated to education. For instance, one may be passionate about teaching, but you majored in a field other than education.
The beautiful thing about online teacher certification is that you can finally become a professional educator, regardless of the type of bachelor’s degree you earned from college.
All you need is to apply, pick a subject area of specialization (e.g., special education), and complete the online training, and you’re on your way to landing the teaching career of your dreams.
2. You don’t have to quit your day job to get a teaching license.
Another huge benefit of online teaching certification is that it accommodates even the most hectic schedules.
No matter where you are in the US, you can use the self-paced online training at your most convenient time. This means you can continue with your day job while working your way to certification.
Furthermore, there are no time limits or deadlines if you’re unable to finish the teaching credential on time. This is in contrast with a traditional certification method, which has strict time allotments and tight deadlines for certification prerequisites.
If time and schedule permits, you can join a blended training method, which combines online sessions with face-to-face interactions. Like purely online training, you’d get a hold of flexible opportunities to get certified and complete necessary teaching credentials.
The alternative curriculum is designed to enable potential teachers to better understand the best and most efficient learning methods. Once admitted, full access to training materials and resources is granted to the enrollee.
3. You won’t have to spend as much as you would in a traditional educator certification program.
The most common challenge of completing an education degree program is the expenses that come with it.
You’ll only pay a one-time upfront fee with an online educator certification. Once hired, we don’t get paid unless you get paid. If you lose your job, you don’t have to pay.
Once you pay the fee and get admitted, you get instant access to rigorous online coursework.
Unlike a traditional setting where you must pay recurring fees each semester, you don’t have to pay the balance until you’re officially hired as a teacher.
4. You’ll improve on time management.
Working on multiple things at a time has an advantage in this scenario.
Because you’re conditioned to land a career in teaching ASAP, you’ll learn how to juggle your daily routine while preparing for your teaching job. Thanks to the availability of “always on” online courses, you can learn at home at your own pace after you’re done with your work day.
Since you determine your own pace in learning, you’ll have more time for your family and other things that matter. In other words, it’s easier to create a balance in your daily routine.
5. You’ll get exclusive support from professionals.
Most online teaching certification providers are backed by a team of education professionals to provide exclusive mentoring and support from training up to the time when you start to practice as a teacher in a classroom setting.
A reputable alternative certification program assigns a field supervisor or mentor teacher to guide you in the classroom as you learn and gain field experience.
Mentors are committed to providing personalized service and special attention. With customized strategies and individualized guidance, you’re assured that every detail is well-taken care of and that you’ll make the most of your time in the teacher preparation program.
6. You’ll get certified by a proven program.
Each year, more and more candidates are being certified through alternative teacher certification.
In Texas, 95% of certified students succeed during their first year in occupation.
Comprehensive programs such as the Teachers of Tomorrow Alternative Certification Program are well-staffed with professionals to:
- Provide a personalized education plan,
- Evaluate individual progress
- Guide you to obtain all the necessary documentation and resources until you’re licensed to teach.
For example, the TOT program has already certified 80,000 teachers nationwide since its inception in 2005.
The chart below compares alternatively certified teachers and traditionally certified individuals.
Requirements to Become a Certified Teacher
The following requirements collectively verify that certified teachers possess a well-rounded educational background, practical experience in a classroom, and the necessary skills to educate and support their students effectively:
- Four-year undergraduate degree: You must have a four-year degree in any field. The requirement ensures candidates have a solid educational background before entering a teacher preparation program.
- Student teaching experience: Prospective teachers must spend a number of hours teaching in a classroom setting under the guidance of a mentor teacher, also known as student teaching. Teaching practice allows candidates to apply their skills in a real classroom and perfect their classroom management and instructional skills.
- Standardized teacher certification exams: Candidates must pass one or more standardized teacher certification exams before they become licensed. These exams assess content knowledge, pedagogy, and professional responsibilities.
Traditional vs. Online Teaching Certification Program
Choosing an online teaching certification program provides aspiring educators with a convenient path to certification. Here are reasons to choose online:
- Convenience: Online teaching certification programs offer the convenience of learning from anywhere. This eliminates the need to commute to a physical location and is especially beneficial for individuals with busy schedules or those living in remote areas.
- Flexibility: Online programs provide flexibility in terms of pacing, thereby accommodating various learning styles and allowing individuals to balance their studies with other commitments. Aspiring teachers can progress through the coursework at their own speed.
- Improved organization: Online platforms often offer streamlined organizational tools to track progress, access resources, and submit assignments. Being organized contributes to a more efficient learning experience.
- Easy access: Online programs grant easy access to resources such as recorded lectures and interactive materials. Prospective teachers can revisit content, engage in discussions, and access supplementary materials at their convenience.
- Affordable: Online teaching certification programs are often more cost-effective than their traditional counterparts. For instance, you can save on commuting, housing, and materials costs, making education more affordable and accessible.
- Competency-based curriculum: Online programs frequently employ a competency-based curriculum. They allow candidates to progress by demonstrating mastery of the material.
What to Know Before Enrolling in an Online Teaching Certification Program
As we’ve established, online teaching certification programs offer a more convenient alternative to traditional routes. However, there are important considerations to bear in mind.
Understanding these aspects can help prospective educators make informed decisions about their learning journey.
- Increased reading and analysis: Online courses often rely heavily on written instructions and materials. Prospective teachers should be prepared for a higher degree of reading and analysis because instructions, discussions, and assessments are delivered in written form.
- Lack of in-person contact: Unlike traditional programs, online learning may lack face-to-face interactions. Individuals considering online certification should be comfortable with a digital learning environment.
- Time-management skills: Completing an online teaching certification program requires strong time-management skills. Candidates must be proactive in keeping up with coursework, assignments, and deadlines so they do not fall behind.
At Teachers of Tomorrow, we acknowledge these challenges and have designed our online teaching certification program to provide support through clear instructional materials, accessible resources, and responsive communication channels.
We have an engaged online community where candidates can interact through virtual forums, collaborative projects, and regular check-ins.
With our online teaching certification program, you can have confidence that these challenges are addressed. You can expect a learning experience that prepares you for success in the classroom.
Jumpstart Your Teaching Career
Teaching is one of the most fulfilling and respected jobs in the world. With deep passion and constant love for sharing your knowledge, you can make a difference and positively influence future leaders and thinkers.
With online teaching certification, you can become a teacher by shedding only a fraction of your time and spending.
The Teachers of Tomorrow Online Teaching Certification program equips aspiring teachers with exceptional teaching strategies for more effective classroom management, student achievement monitoring, and teaching experience.
Within a year, you can receive a full salary and complete benefits as soon as you start teaching. Additionally, there are endless professional development opportunities once you acquire a Professional Educator license.
For more information, ask about available online teaching certification programs in your state today.
