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TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS VIA DISTANCE LEARNING |
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Many colleges and Universities offer K-12, teacher certification programs at a distance. Shown below are the links, point-of-contact information, and brief descriptions for the programs identified so far. When available, more will be added to this list, and some will appear in the DANTES External Degree Catalog. The list appears below in alphabetical order. We do not endorse one program over the other. Research carefully, giving consideration to cost, program length, academic and professional requirements, and how/when any on-campus courses or practice teaching may be accomplished. Critical Reminder: Most of these programs tend to be very state-specific and may even be limited to state residents. Also, teacher certification or licensure is controlled by the state in which the teacher plans to teach. Prospective teachers must take personal responsibility for insuring transfer or acceptance of credentials to a second state. American Military University POCs for Servicemembers Inquiries: Post-baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Certification Program Description: American Public University System’s Post-baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Certification program is designed for those who have earned a B.A. or B.S. in a content-related discipline and who wish to earn a secondary teacher certification*. The program consists of seven core courses plus a semester as a student teacher (teacher intern) for a total of 24 credit hours. Related content area degrees will be reviewed for alignment with state certification and accreditation requirements before admission. Students found deficient in a particular content area may need to complete additional undergraduate courses in order to meet state content guidelines. This program also includes fieldwork and student teaching on school sites. This program is aligned with INTASC, NCATE, and ISTE National Educational Technology Standards. American Public University System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. *NOTE: This program is based on West Virginia certification standards and has been approved by the WVDE. Teachers who earn certification in West Virginia may apply for certification in other states. Many states have formal reciprocity agreements with West Virginia. Persons considering licensure in another state should contact the State Department of Education for the prospective state to obtain current testing and certification requirements or procedures Bellevue University, URL: http://www.bellevue.edu University of Great Falls, URL: http://www.teachforachange.org POCs for Servicemembers Inquiries: Program Description: This program enjoys a reciprocity agreement with 36 states. The website, www.teachforachange.org lists states with reciprocity and has more information on the requirements to be accepted into the program. CalStateTEACH, California: http://www.calstateteach.net POCs for Servicemembers Inquiries: Program Description: CalStateTEACH offers pre-intern (employed teacher not CSET qualified), intern (employed teacher CSET qualified) and a traditional teacher preparation option (student teaching). Candidates eligible for the pre-intern and intern options must be teaching in a multiple subject classroom in which the core curricula (language arts, social sciences, mathematics, and science) are taught to all students. Candidates in the traditional teacher preparation option will be placed in an appropriate multiple subject settings for fieldwork and student teaching. CalStateTEACH is available California-wide. Because there are no campus-based classes, the program is geographically divided into four regions. Candidates are assigned to Regional Centers based on the location of the school district in which they teach or placed, if in the student teaching option. For more information and online application visit the website at http://www.calstateteach.net. Enrollment Information (Other): (Petition for Exceptional Admission is available) have taken CBEST
Clarion University of Pennsylvania: http://www.clarion.edu/29364/ POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Description: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA: http://www.drexel.com/Fields_of_Study/Education.shtml?WT.mc_id=C15716x182&gcid=C15716x182 POC for Servicemember Inquiries: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Tel: 866-440-1949 (toll-free) or commercial 215-895-0500, Email info@drexel.com Program Description: On-campus faculty provides fully online certification in Elementary Ed (general certification) and Secondary Ed (math, science, and technology areas) and a fully online Master’s degree in education. The following post-BA/BS programs are designed for those with non-Ed BA/BS degrees who wish to second careers in teaching: Graduate Intern Teaching Certification: Offers pedagogy courses needed for Pennsylvania certification. Designed for those with a non-Ed degree and who are working or teaching full-time while completing coursework. Credits earned in this program may be applied toward the MS in the Science of Instruction degree program. Instructional Technology Specialist Certification: Graduate program. Qualifies one for Pennsylvania certification as Instructional Technology Specialists and provides a pathway for continued study in the MS in the Science of Instruction degree program. Principal’s Certification Program: Qualifies one for Pennsylvania certification as school principals. Pathway to continue MS in the Science of Instruction degree program. Master of Science in the Science of Instruction: Preps high school math, science, and technology teachers, and elementary school teachers in all subjects. Excellent for current teachers seeking a Master's or those entering teaching as second career. Drexel’s certification programs lead to Pennsylvania state certification. Through agreements among the states, Pennsylvania certification can generally be converted to certification in another state, but before enrolling students intending to teach in other states should research the process for certification of teachers holding a Pennsylvania teaching certificate in order to understand any special requirements. Goddard College, Plainfield, VT: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Brenda Hawkins, Tel: 1-800-468-4888 (Ext 240), Email: brenda.hawkins@goddard.edu Program Description: Goddard College's Teacher Education Program combines a limited residency at the college (eight days per semester) with academic work done through the semester under the guidance of a faculty/advisor. Students attend fall and summer residencies in order to write study plans for their semester, engage with faculty and peers, attend workshops, presentations, and short courses.The Goddard Teacher Education Program embodies a particular set of values and beliefs grounded in progressive education. The center of this philosophy is the concept that the most effective education occurs when it is shaped around the student. There is emphasis on individual needs and interests rather than on a pre-determined curriculum. This commitment holds for all students, although students working on the teaching license must balance the personalized approach with the mandate to achieve a standard set of competencies. If seeking licensure, applicants must submit an application along with a Call to Teach essay, passing scores on the Praxis I test in reading, writing, and mathematics, and three letters of recommendation verifying their work with children in or out of a school setting. B.A. LICENSURE AREAS: Public school licensure is available at the undergraduate level for: Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Secondary English, and Secondary Social Studies. M.A. teacher education venues at the graduate level: Individual Studies in Education (graduate studies or MA), Teacher Licensure/Certification (graduate studies with licensure only or MA), School Guidance Concentration and Licensure (MA only), and Partnership Education Concentration (MA only). In addition to the licensure options also available at the B.A. level, graduate students may also pursue a School Guidance option. I Teach Texas POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Description: This alternative certification program
is the first private program approved by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification
that is based on distance learning. The directors of I Teach Texas possess several
year's experience in teacher preparation programs at a state university located
in Texas. The certification program addresses concerns of area school districts,
as well as those of undergraduate and graduate students seeking second careers in
teaching.
Lewis-Clark State College POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Description: PACE (Pathways for Accelerated Certification and Endorsement) provides non-traditional fully NCATE accredited performance-based pathways for earning Elementary (K-8) and Secondary (6-12) teaching certification and endorsements. Candidates for the Elementary Pathway must possess at least an associate degree or its equivalent and be prepared to attend two on-campus summer sessions. The remaining course work is delivered via the Internet. Secondary candidates must possess at least a BA/BS and be prepared to attend a three day June on campus orientation and workshop. The remaining course work is via Internet. Acceleration is possible through documented and relevant life experience and demonstrated performance. Transition To Teaching stipends and Indian Education Professional Development scholarships are available to individuals who agree to teach for three years in a high need school upon program completion. Candidates may complete internships in their local communities. Program admission requirements are competitive and slots are limited based on availability. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Graduate Admissions Office, Toll Free 1-800-424-9595, Email: gradadmissions@liberty.edu Program Description: Through its School of Education, Liberty University offers a master degree program designed to prepare students for effective leadership in both Christian, public, and private schools. The Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Administration/Supervision, Special Education, School Counseling, and Reading Specialist programs lead to Virginia licensure. Three courses (9 semester hours) must be taken in residence as part of a practicum. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Ms. Lori Fredrich, Tel. 414-288-7375, Email: Lori.Fredrich@Marquette.edu Program Description: Marquette’s Online Accelerated Teacher Certification/Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership is designed to meet the needs of the working professional with a bachelor’s degree in a field certifiable for middle/secondary teaching in Wisconsin, who are interested in earning both an initial Wisconsin secondary (Grades 6-12) teaching license and an optional master’s degree in instructional leadership. This licensure program centers on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions important to effective teaching and specified in the Wisconsin State Teaching Standards for Licensure and Professional Development. Marquette’s licensure program requires applicant’s to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, satisfactory scores on the Praxis I, Praxis II, and GRE or MAT tests (GRE or MAT scores for master’s applicants only) and pass the Wisconsin criminal background check. Along with an application, prospective students must also submit all academic transcripts, a statement of purpose and educational goals and three letters of recommendation. Prior to student teaching, candidates must complete seven courses ( http://www.marquette.edu/online/html/licensure/courses.htm) and 100 hours of approved and documented field experiences during which candidates observe instruction, and provide tutoring and small group instruction. Candidates will complete and document 10-15 hours of fieldwork in conjunction with each of the required seven courses of the licensure program toward fulfilling the field experience requirement. Marquette has established approved locations for field experiences and student teaching placements in the greater Milwaukee area. Students completing field experiences and student teaching outside the greater Milwaukee area must arrange and get approval for field placement and student teaching locations prior to beginning work to fulfill these requirements – preferably before beginning the licensure program. All courses for the teacher licensure and master’s programs are available online, and are conducted asynchronously with an online learning community, and, with the arrangements mentioned above, candidates can complete the licensure and master’s programs completely at a distance. Licensure candidates need only successfully complete an additional fifteen units of course work to earn a master’s in instructional leadership. Wisconsin has licensure exchange agreements with many other states, but individual students must work closely with the state officials in the state in which final certification will be sought to ensure that state’s certification requirements are met. Marquette is involved in a partnership with Loyola University, Chicago, and Saint Joseph’s, Philadelphia, which will be offering accelerated licensure programs in 2004. Montana State University, Billings,
MT: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Ms. Denise Featherstone, Tel: 406-657-2336, Email: dfeatherstone@msbillings.edu Program Description: Montana State University-Billings is a 2003 National Award Recipient for Best Practices from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, and provides provides online courses for the Teacher Certification leading to Montana teacher licensure. The program is open to those seeking certification in the following subjects: art, biology, chemistry, English, health and physical education, history, mathematics, music, social studies, elementary education, special education, and Spanish. This is a post-baccalaureate program designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a subject taught in secondary school, or, in the case of elementary education, any degree. The program includes intensive field experience, including student teaching, embedded in the program, and generally takes two years of online classes. Students must progress through the program in a cohort, which begins and ends on a rotating basis. Those interested in an undergraduate online program may contact the University regarding availability. There are certification reciprocity agreements with numerous other states. However, individual students must always take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns. One must always work closely with the certification authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT - Northern Plains Transition to Teaching: www.montana.edu/nptt POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Assistant, Tel: 406-994-5662, Email: nptt@montana.edu Program Description: This program will focus initially and primarily on providing teachers in high need subject areas such as mathematics, science, and music while also looking to develop and place teachers in high need school districts looking for social studies, English, health & physical education, technology, modern languages, and special education as appropriate. All state and national standards will be satisfied by the program design. Each course will be research-based, current, and grounded in a balance of the theoretical and the practical. This will ensure both conceptual rigor and high levels of performance in the skills, knowledge and dispositions required of professional educators’ intent on meeting the needs of their students. The program will consist of six concentrated course offerings, at
three credits per course, delivered over a two year period or less. Candidates will
be able to enter the field in a year-long, paid internship after completing the
qualification phase (i.e. first nine credits of the program). In lieu of the classic “student
teaching” experience, NPTT participants will enter into a contracted, salaried teaching
position under temporary licensure. This yearlong “internship” is based on a resident
teaching model. The program will include mentoring from an on-site master teacher
under contract to assist the candidate, an itinerant university supervisor who will
make periodic visits, and a sustained connection and help-line to the program allowing
for the effective and discrete address of questions and problems. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM: http://education.nmsu.edu/prospective/Licensure/index.php POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Elizabeth Lunsford, Program Staff, (505) 646-2125, ellunsfo@nmsu.edu Program Description: In response to the critical shortage of appropriately licensed teachers, service providers, and administrators in New Mexico, the College of Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU) has created the Office of Licensure and Endorsements for Alternative Preparation in Education. The purpose of this office is to provide programs to increase the number of qualified teachers, service providers, and administrators in the areas of special education, bilingual education, public school administration, information technology, and school counseling. Persons with a bachelor's degree who are already teaching, providing services, or working as an administrator with an Internship license or Substandard license (waiver) are candidates for this program. Special Education: Alternative Licensure Program consisting of 21 credit hours available online. A Master's degree is available with the completion of an additional 15 credit hours. Bilingual Education: Endorsement Program consisting of 24 credit hours available online. A Master's is available in Curriculum and Instruction with the completion of an additional 15 credit hours. Public School Administration: Licensure Program consisting of 24 credit hours available through distance education courses. A Master's degree is available with the completion of an additional 9 credit hours. Information Technology: Endorsement Program consisting of 24 credit hours available online. A Master's degree is available with the completion of an additional 9 credit hours. School Counseling: Licensure course of study consisting of 36 credit hours available through distance education courses. Rio Salado College, Tempe, Arizona: www.rio.maricopa.edu/education POC for Service member Inquiries: David Hall, Tel: 480-517-8548); email: david.hall@riomail.maricopa.edu Program Description: Rio Salado College, Tempe, Arizona, offers a post-baccalaureate program in Teacher Education (Elementary K-8, Secondary 7-12, and Special Education K-12) designed for working adults who have already received their undergraduate degree and wish to enter the teaching profession. The program incorporates the teacher certification requirements for the State of Arizona. It is based on Arizona state standards, and uses a series of 14-week courses that start every 2 weeks and can be accelerated upon request. The courses are delivered asynchronously via the Internet allowing students to access their courses anytime, anywhere. The program and courses are based on Arizona State Standards, resulting in certification in Arizona. There are reciprocity agreements with other states, but licensure acceptance in receiving states is the full responsibility of the candidate. Technology support is provided, with 1-on-1 guidance from instructors who are practicing, certified K-12 teachers. Seven-day-a-week student support is provided along with access to the Cybrary and other important student support services. Saint Joseph's College, Standish, ME: www.sjcme.edu/msed POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Thomas Hancock, Director of Master of Science in Education programs, Tel: 800-343-5498 x7995, Email: thancock@sjcme.edu Program Description: All of Saint Joseph’s College M.S. in Education programs are fully online. Completion of 2 courses in the 11-course Educator’s Master Degree program may satisfy Maine’s secondary level, “pathway 2” for conditional certification. These courses are a content-specific secondary teaching methods course and a “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom” course. Proof of content-area coursework and knowledge, other national exams, and a background check are also required (see Rule 115 at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/chaps05.htm). The required content-specific secondary teaching methods course at Saint Joseph’s College can be completed in any certifiable area from the common like life science and social studies to the more specific like Latin, health, art, Arabic, etc. Saint Joseph’s College M.S. Ed. program also has a unique stand-alone Student Teaching course that may be able to be completed at high schools across the country or in Department of Defense schools around the world (call to explore the possibilities). It may be possible to obtain conditional certification without Student Teaching but if Student Teaching is required we have a flexible program that may meet your needs. The majority of Maine’s school districts qualify as “high need” districts as defined by the Troops-to-Teachers program. Offered asynchronously, courses may be started monthly. There is no need to wait until September or January. They are offered in a convenient online mode. Flexibility is key at Saint Joseph’s College. Students will have different faculty members for each course, but are assigned an academic advisor at the start of their coursework who stays with them throughout their work with the college. Advisors for the M.S. Ed. courses are familiar with working with members of the armed services by regularly assisting students from other programs such as Navy Partners and GoArmyEd. This is a post-baccalaureate program, for individuals having substantial undergraduate coursework in the subject they wish to teach. The typical (though not uniform) Maine content area academic requirements are 24 undergraduate credits in the subject desired to be taught. Both of the M.S. Ed. courses required for “pathway 2” conditional certification (see Rule 115 at link above) may be applied to the full Master’s degree as well. Maine has regular certification reciprocity agreements with many other states. However, individual students must take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns, and work closely with the certification authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches,
TX: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Jeanie Gresham, Tel: 936-468-2904, Email: pbic-ele@sfasu.edu. Program Description: SFASU’s Post Baccalaureate (PBIC) Program is a teacher certification program for those already holding a college degree. Candidates choose between two plans: Early Childhood through Grade Four (EC-4) or Grade Four through Grade Eight (4-8). The program chosen determines which Texas certification is obtained. Candidates also choose a content area. For EC-4, the content area is Early Childhood. For 4-8, one chooses a content area such as Math, Science, Social Studies, or English/ Reading/Language Arts. Credit may be given for content area courses already completed in prior degrees. All of the pedagogy (education) classes are online; content area classes are offered on campus. Exceptions are handled on a case-by-case basis. Education course sequence may be found at http://www.education.sfasu.edu/ele/areas/pbic.htm, and associated prerequisites are located at http://www.education.sfasu.edu/ele/areas/PBICCoursesPrereq.html. Information about the distance learning options can be found at http://www.oit.sfasu.edu. There are certification reciprocity agreements with numerous other states. However, individual students must always take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns. One must always work closely with the certification authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN: http://www.tnstate.edu POC for Service member Inquiries: Dr. Dean Roberts: 1-615-963-5474; Email: droberts@tnstate.edu. Program Description:
The post-baccalaureate licensure program outlined below is designed for people who are interested in teaching in the subject area of their bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree must have been awarded by a regionally accredited institution with at least a 2.75 GPA. To complete the program, the candidate must pass all appropriate Praxis II exams.
There are undergraduate equivalents for each of these courses, though they are not online. It is recommended that they be taken at the graduate level. The courses may be used toward a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This list of coursework is tentative and subject to minor changes. If interested in this program, call for an interview as soon as possible.
University of Arkansas, Monticello, AR: www.uamont.edu POC for Service member Inquiries: Dr. Kathy King; Tel: 870-460-1596; Program Description: The University of Arkansas Monticello provides a 30 hour online Master of Arts in Teaching program for those who wish to be provisionally licensed to teach in the state of Arkansas. To be admitted, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, a 3.0 GPA overall or in the last 60 hours, pass the GRE and Praxis II specialty area tests and pass the Arkansas criminal background check. The program is only open to individuals seeking to teach in grades 7-12 in the following areas: math, life science, physical science, English, speech, social studies, business, art, music, foreign language, family and consumer science or health/ physical education. A cohort is formed in July. One three hour online class is done in July and one week of coursework is required on campus in July, at UAM, in preparation for full time, paid teaching in a public school in Arkansas in August. The remaining 24 hours of coursework is done online during the first year of teaching. Nine hours is taken in the fall semester, nine in the spring and six in the summer following the first year. A comprehensive exam is given in the summer after coursework is completed and the M.A.T. degree and initial licensure is awarded in August. A standard six-year Arkansas license is then awarded after completion of the Praxis III. University of Houston-Victoria, TX: UHV On-line : http://www.uhv.edu/edu/stcp.htm UHV Application http://www.uhv.edu/edu POC for Service member Inquiries: Ms. Deborah Biner, Tel: 1-877-970-4848, Ext. 266; Email: binerd@uhv.edu Program Description: The University of Houston-Victoria's School of Education instituted an Online Secondary Teacher Certification Program in response to No Child Left Behind legislation. In only one year, candidates can obtain Texas teacher certification for Grades 8 - 12 in the areas of History, Science, Math, Language Arts and Reading, Computer Science, and Business. The program consists of seven courses: five online pedagogy courses and two semesters of mentored internship, which are fulfilled by your employment. This is a post baccalaureate program designed for individuals degreed in the subjects listed and employed as teachers of record in Texas school districts. Students can begin the program anywhere in the rotation; spring, summer, or fall. UHV's online classes follow the regular semester schedule. Instructors post schedules for tests and assignments on WebCT at the beginning of the semester. Synchronization of classes allows students to build relationships among themselves, support, and motivate each other. WebCT offers chat rooms and email capabilities which maximize student learning by encouraging dialogue and interaction between students as well as between students and their instructors. Full requirements and course descriptions are available online at www.uhv.edu/edu/stcp.htm or through the contacts listed above.
University of Nebraska – Kearney, Kearney,
NE: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Ms. Demaris Grant, Director of Statewide Assessment Center, Tel: 308-865-8007; email grantda@unk.edu Program Description: The University of Nebraska – Kearney
has developed an on-line program leading to Nebraska teacher certification. The
program is open to individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in an
area of endorsement at the secondary school level (excluding special education).
The on-line professional sequence consists of three, 6-credit hour courses; educational
activities performed in a classroom, under the supervision of a certified teacher;
documentation of community service learning activities; and completion of the semester-long,
student teaching component. University of North Carolina – Pembroke,
Pembroke, NC: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Warren Baker, Tel: 910-521-6221; email: warren.baker@uncp.edu Program Description: The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
is one of the universities in North Carolina that participates in a coalition providing
support and online courses for the Alternative Route to Certification Program, leading
to North Carolina teacher certification. The program is open to those seeking certification
in the following subjects: Middle School/Secondary science, math, and language arts/English.
Additional certification areas will be considered in 2004. This is a post-baccalaureate
program designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a subject taught
in secondary school. Coursework is delivered via the Internet and web-based materials.
Completion yields initial certification. University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: For MAEd programs, Mr. Gary Schuller, Associate Director of Enrollment, Tel: 602-387-6380 or 1-800-366-9699 Ext.6380; email gary.schuller@phoenix.edu or submit email requests for Phoenix information via http://www.uofphx.quinstreet.com/maed/form.jsp. Program Description: At the University of Phoenix, the new Masters of Arts in Education / Teacher Education Programs for elementary and secondary teacher certification are 33-credit Master's Degree (MAEd) programs leading to Arizona teacher licensure. Phoenix uses the Internet to deliver instruction to individuals as a member of a "class" that moves through the programs in a group forum. Although the Arizona Department of Education accepts this program for teacher licensure, this may not be the case in all states. These programs may not be available in all states, so one must check with a University of Phoenix Enrollment Advisor. University of Southern California Rossier School
of Education, Los Angeles, CA: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Arts in Teaching with Teaching Credential Program Description: The USC Rossier School of Education’s
MAT @USC is unlike any other online Master of Arts in Teaching program because we
can offer: University of Texas at Arlington:http://www.uta.edu/soe/specialprojects/t3.html Shirley Binder, Tel: (817) 272-2956, Email: sbinder@uta.edu Dr. Jeannine Hirtle (Program Coordinator), Tel: (817) 272-7568 or (817) 272-2618, Program Description: Troops to Teachers at UTA (University of Texas at Arlington) offers a five-course sequence of professional development graduate-level, education courses. The program is designed for individuals with baccalaureate degrees who are seeking a Texas Teacher Certificate at the secondary level. All courses are available via the Internet, with varying availability during the academic year. Applicants for the program must meet certain admission requirements, as well as satisfactorily complete required field experience. Troops to Teachers at UTA is for people with bachelor's degrees who aspire to become secondary teachers in Texas. The program is designed for people who have a baccalaureate degree with at least a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate coursework. If you desire to become a teacher for students in grades 8-12 in Texas while earning graduate credit, and you want the convenience of a quality, Internet-based program…then UTA's Troops to Teachers at UTA is a program you should strongly consider. There are certification reciprocity agreements with numerous other states. However, individual students must always take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns. One must always work closely with the certification authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. University of West Florida: http://icl.uwf.edu POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Description: TeacherReadyTM is an on-line competency-based alternative certification program that certifies teachers to teach in the State of Florida. The knowledge and skills addressed in TeacherReadyTM are based on the “sample key indicators” of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) as identified in Preprofessional: Competencies for Teachers of the Twenty-First Century published by the Florida Education Standards Commission. Competencies included in the Florida Reading Endorsement are also a part of the instructional model to ensure that TeacherReadyTM participants are prepared with a basic understanding of the reading process and are able to assist students in increasing reading effectiveness to improve student achievement. To apply to TeacherReadyTM, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. There are seven instructional units within TeacherReadyTM. Each unit is composed of instructional modules that allow knowledge and skill practice to be chunked, and the units provide a research based instructional design model for participants. The seven units with instructional modules are based on the ETPs and the FEAPs.
University of Wisconsin - Superior: http://www2.uwsuper.edu/CEE/DLC/ POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Program Description: The Distance Learning Center at the University of Wisconsin-Superior provides coursework for elementary certification through their Extended Degree Program. Certification is provided for Wisconsin only. Minnesota students can complete the program but must contact the Minnesota Department of Education to determine current certification requirements. Student teaching for completion of certification requirements can only be offered in the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s normal service area (generally within one hundred miles of Superior). All courses required for certification are not available in the Extended Degree Program and students may need to travel to campus during one summer to complete their coursework. Requirements to be met for certification differ according to previous education. Students will need to provide the elementary education advisor with transcripts of previous coursework to receive a program plan indicating the courses they will need to complete. All students are required to complete the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) prior to being admitted to the teacher education program. The Distance Learning Center cannot provide coursework necessary for secondary certification. Further information is available on the Distance Learning Center webpage or by going to www.uwsuper.edu and clicking “Distance Learning” and “Extended Degree”. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA: POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Daisy Stewart, Tel: 540-231-8180, CTE office: 540-231-5598, Email: daisys@vt.edu Program Description: This six-course program was designed specifically to meet the Curriculum and Instruction licensure requirements for provisionally licensed teachers in Career and Technical Education in Virginia. C&T Ed includes curricular areas previously called VoTech, as well as the following: Trade & Industrial, Business Education & Info Technology, Marketing Education, Technical Ed, Health Occupations, And Family & Consumer Sciences. The licensure program is aimed primarily at people who are already teaching with a provisional license. It may meet the same requirement for provisionally licensed teachers in other subject areas, but decision lies with local school administrators and the Virginia Department of Education. It should be of value to teachers on emergency certification in other states, but whether it will meet specific certification requirements would have to be determined locally. Full admission to Virginia Tech is not necessary. Some of the courses must be taken concurrently. Wayland Baptist University, Lubbock, TX: www.wbu.edu POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Kent Brooks, Dean (kbrooks@wbu.edu) or Mr. Tom Walker, Academic Advisor (walkert@wbu.edu); Tel: phone: (806) 785-9285 Program Description: Wayland Baptist University will prepare Texas teachers for Trade and Industrial Education, including trade and industrial occupations, cosmetology, and criminal justice. The teacher preparation program includes both pre-employment laboratory and career preparation (formerly cooperative education). Teacher candidates must meet the admission requirements at Wayland Baptist University www.wbu.edu and the certification requirements of the Texas State Board of Education Certification www.sbec.state.tx.us The teacher preparation program will consist of three courses, each three semester hours, which will be delivered, on-line, via the Wayland Virtual Campus http://www.wbu.edu/b/b08/default.htm, and, after the teacher is employed by the Texas public secondary school, a two semester internship. The new teacher must pass the TExES professional and pedagogical responsibility exam, and be certified in their trade/occupation field. Although the trade and industrial teacher preparation program is intended for teachers in Texas, there are certification reciprocity agreements with other states. However, individual students must always take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns. One must always work closely with the certification authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT: http://www.wgu.edu POC for Service member general and enrollment inquiries: Kempe Nicoll, Call toll-free 866-225-5948 or email: info@wgu.edu POC for Service member certification, compliance, and licensure inquiries: Alison Holden direct at 801-993-1801, email: aholden@wgu.edu. Program Description: The Teachers College at Western Governors University provides accredited, online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and post baccalaureate teacher licensure to students seeking online education degree programs. All courses are offered online enabling students to study at any time and in any location. Twelve weeks of demonstration teaching (student teaching) is required in a public school or accredited private preK-12 school. Programs leading to initial licensure include: Elementary Education PreK-8, Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12), Science (5-9 or 5-12), Biology (5-12), Chemistry (5-12), Earth Science (5-12), Physics (5-12), English Language Learners, or Social Science (5-12). Utah, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas (for graduate students only) have approved WGU education programs as meeting their state certification requirements. The following states accept direct application from WGU education graduates for state licensure: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX (graduates), UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, and WV. All other states except Kansas grant initial licensure via reciprocity through the NASDTEC Interstate Contract. WGU is seeking additional direct application status in the remaining states and will update this site as appropriate. WGU is a competency-based institution. Unlike traditional universities, WGU does not award degrees based on credit hours and there may be a loss of transferability of WGU’s program if the student moves to credit hour based institution. Students earn their degrees by demonstrating their skills and knowledge through a series of carefully designed assessments. If you can demonstrate your competencies, based on prior learning and experience, you may reduce the time it takes to complete your degree. WGU opens its admissions to as many individuals as possible. Most degree programs do not require a minimum grade point average. WGU does use admission criteria to help identify those who are most likely to succeed as online students. Those candidates seeking initial teacher licensure in a bachelor's, post-baccalaureate, or master's program must also pass a state-specific basic skills test for the state in which the student lives as a pre-requisite to Demonstration (student) Teaching. (Registering and paying for the test is the student's responsibility.) This requirement may be met either prior to admission or before beginning the Foundations of Teaching subject area domain once in your WGU program.
WGU students are eligible for federal financial programs. WGU is approved by the Veterans Administration, MGIB, and DoD Tuition Assistance. As a “not-for-profit” institution, WGU is committed to making your education affordable. WGU tuition and fees are among the lowest in accredited US colleges and universities. Western Michigan University and Troops-to-Teachers Contact: This post-baccalaureate program was developed for non-traditional students such as retiring military personnel to obtain teacher certification in vocational subjects. Participants usually have a bachelor’s degree in a teachable area such as business or one of the many industrial-technical subjects which are in high demand. There are six core courses in Career and Technical Education, plus the student teaching requirement, that can be taken fully on-line. In addition the course credits count toward a master’s degree which many students eventually complete. The hands-on components of the program can be accomplished at a school in the students’ locale. Although the teaching certificate is for Michigan, Western has reciprocity agreements with 46 other states. Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison, CO: www.western.edu/teachnow Program Description: Colorado’s Alternative Educator Licensing Programs provide an opportunity for candidates without an educational degree to become licensed as teachers through a site-based, one-year program of training and supervision. Western State College offers an online alternative licensure program: TeachNow. This online alternative licensure program is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree and are seeking to add an elementary, secondary, or special education license. This is a twelve-month, full-time (4 hours or more), on-the-job teacher preparation program for second career professionals. School districts throughout Colorado are invited to collaborate with Western State on the implementation of this alternative licensure program. The alternative licensure candidate's teaching assignment must be in the appropriate content area in which the teacher is seeking endorsement. Candidates teaching in a high need school district may be eligible for stipends to help defer educational costs of the program. To be approved to participate in the Alternative Teacher Licensing Program by the Colorado Department of Education http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/Licensure_alt1_info.asp candidates must: (1) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. (2) Have completed the necessary subject knowledge courses required for teaching in the endorsement/teaching area (30 semester hours in the content area). This is determined by an institution of higher education or the Colorado Department of Education through transcript/portfolio review. (3) Pass a criminal background check, including the submission of a fingerprint card to CDE. (4) Complete the appropriate content state assessment. Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC: http://gorams.wssu.edu/faculty/williamsc/TTT.htm POC for Servicemember Inquiries: Dr. Cynthia Williams, Tel: 336-750-2587; Email: williamsc@wssu.edu Program Description: The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Certification Program is administered through the School of Education & Department of Distance Learning. This program will allow eligible individuals to gain certification through a program designed for teachers who work full time. All courses will be offered via the Internet. This is a post-baccalaureate program designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree. There are certification reciprocity agreements with numerous other states. However, individual students must always take personal responsibility for reciprocity concerns. One must always work closely with the university certification officer and authorities in the state in which final certification will be sought. |
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