Hawaii Alternative Certification Programs

(found programs from 4 schools)

There is little information available about the types of candidates seeking alternative certification in Hawaii or the percentage who complete such routes and gain certification. However, alternative licensing programs do exist in Hawaii. These programs are primarily designed to address critical teacher shortages in content areas such as math, special education, and trade education as well as in geographically isolated areas. The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, www.htsb.org, has detailed information on the types of licensure available.

Perhaps a candidate's best route to alternative certification in Hawaii is the Alternative Program for Shortage Area run through Brigham Young University Hawaii. Started in 1996, the program is designed to address the shortage of teachers in certain fields and geographic areas. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA from an accredited college or university as well as two semesters of satisfactory full-time contract teaching experience in the content area for which licensing is sought. Candidates then complete a prescribed course of study through BYUH before applying for full professional licensure.

Aspiring teachers with at least three years professional trade experience might want to consider the state's Career and Technical Education Limited Duty Special Permit. This provisional certificate allows the holder to teach a trade in any of the state's public schools for one year. It is renewable for up to five years.