Alternative Licensure Programs for Teachers
Various universities and institutions in the United States in 2024 offer alternative licensure programs for aspiring teachers. These programs cater to individuals who have a bachelor’s degree but might not have completed a traditional teacher preparation program. They often provide a unique blend of coursework, field experiences, and mentorship, enabling candidates to become licensed teachers.
Here’s a summary of some of these programs:
- Regis University: Their alternative teacher licensure program focuses on teaching secondary content, incorporating training in trauma-informed pedagogy, cultural responsiveness, social-emotional learning, and mindfulness. It includes Zoom coaching sessions and experiential learning opportunities. The program is mostly online and takes one academic year to complete, with two additional summer semesters for those pursuing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree.
- Dominican University: While specific details about their alternative licensure programs were not readily available, they do offer a range of graduate, post-baccalaureate, and online programs, which could potentially include options for alternative licensure.
- Saint Xavier University (SXU): SXU’s program allows candidates to work as full-time teachers while completing their coursework, providing a combination of modern pedagogy, real-world application, and personalized mentorship. The program includes an Archdiocese of Chicago Residency Agreement, offering secured teaching positions in Archdiocese of Chicago schools during their residency years.
- NMSU Global Campus: Offers an Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, which prepares candidates to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade. The program is entirely online, spans two years, and requires a bachelor’s degree with 30 teaching credits and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS): Their Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) is a two-year program approved by the Colorado State Board of Education, covering areas like English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Language. Ideal candidates include paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, career changers, and retired military personnel.
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- Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational Services (PPBOCES) and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: This two-year program allows candidates to earn a salary while teaching in the classroom and concurrently earn a Colorado Initial Teacher License.
- Shawnee State University: Their Master of Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction with Alternative Licensure program allows candidates to fulfill the requirements of Ohio’s Alternative Resident Educator Program while earning a Master’s degree.
- CESA 7 TDC Alternative Licensure: Provides knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to effectively meet the diverse educational needs of children and youth in schools.
- University of Illinois Chicago: Offers an Early Childhood Education Alternative Licensure Program in partnership with the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship. It requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree and be working in a Chicago Early Learning program.
Final Words
Each of these programs has unique features and requirements, so it’s important to research thoroughly to find the one that best fits your career goals and educational background.
