How Do I Get an Alternate Teaching Certification Online?

Undergraduate students who pursue certification in teaching often spend five years completing the certification courses and the student teaching program. However, if you have experience in the professional world and want to switch to a career in teaching, you do not have to return to undergraduate school. Often you can complete your certification through online courses while working as a teacher.

Choose Certification Program

Before beginning an online teacher certification program, you should decide what level and subject you want to teach. Most states offer general certification for elementary level teachers or specific subject certification at the secondary level. For example, you could earn a certificate to teach all subjects to grades K-3, or you could earn a certification to teach mathematics to grades 6-12.

You will next need to choose what state you want to teach in. Teaching certifications can be transferred between states, but the requirements differ from state to state, so you should get certified in the state where you want to teach. Online programs for alternative teaching certification are available in every state in the United States. In most states, you can choose a route that will provide you with certification to teach the grade level or content area you want, or you can gain a master's degree in teaching along with the certification. Online courses are usually offered through colleges and universities. Choose an institute with a reputable teaching program that includes mentoring as well as classroom instruction. Some alternative certification programs are limited to specific high-need areas, such as mathematics, science or special education. Other programs are offered to transition professionals with specific experience into classroom teaching. For example, Troops to Teachers enables former military professionals to become certified to teach, and many states have programs that transition college professors into teaching at K-12 schools. Research your state to find out if there is a program designed specifically for professionals with your background and expertise.

In addition to your classes, most states require you to gain experience as a student teacher or a mentored employed teacher. If you want to begin teaching full-time right away, you should choose a program that allows you to take online classes while working as a teacher. Usually you will have to first get hired to teach in the subject where you want to be certified, and then you can apply to the online certification program. If you would rather take certification classes first before you begin teaching in the classroom, then you should choose a program that requires you to gain teaching experience, through a job or through student teaching, at the end of the certification process.