help individuals transitioning to the teaching field to begin their teaching careers and get into paid teaching positions conviniently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThey also help reduce the shortage of educators by offering opportunities for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in other areas to acquire teaching credentials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHere are some of the benefits of the alternative certification programs:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Aspiring teachers can obtain graduate degrees in less than a year, which opens up advancement opportunities beyond classroom teaching.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Educators get the chance to be mentored by experienced teachers while earning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Alternative certification programs offer flexible schedules, including online, evening, and part-time courses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Alternative Certification Requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n
Teachers seeking to be certified under that alternative certification program must satisfy some requirements that are unique to each state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIn most states, teachers are required to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Complete a teacher preparation program approved by the state where they want to seek certification.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Apply for a provisional teaching certificate to complete supervised teaching under an internship.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Pass the state’s exams for prospective educators to measure your pedagogical knowledge and mastery of teaching content. The Praxis tests are the most adopted exams for certification, though some states, such as California and Texas, have unique qualifying exams.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Apply for a full teaching certificate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Alternative Certification Program Types<\/b><\/h3>\n
Different states have unique pathways for fast-tracking certification to education. However, most require one to complete an accredited teacher preparation program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHere’s the most common route to alternative certification in education:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Accreditation through a formal alternative teacher preparation program<\/b>: Enables graduates without a degree in education to join the teaching field in a shorter, more intensive way.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Transition to Teaching(T2T)<\/b>:<\/span> This program assumes that a candidate already possesses knowledge in the licensing area. They offer 18 hours of coursework for secondary education, 24 hours for elementary, early childhood education, and P-12 education. To enrol, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.<\/span><\/li>\n
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification<\/b>: The board develops, retains, and appreciates accomplished teachers who have completed the certification process. It is a voluntary teaching credential whose significance surpasses state licensure.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Career and technical education certification(CTE)<\/b>: This qualification allows you to teach various technical subjects, such as dental assisting, cosmetology, vehicle maintenance, and plumbing.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Emergency and provisional teaching certification<\/b>