Maryland Alternative Certification Programs

(found programs from 17 schools)

In a brochure touting Maryland's alternative certification programs, Katie Swanson, a third grade teacher in Prince George's County, Maryland, discusses how the county's Resident Teacher Program helped her make a smooth transition from the practice of law to a teaching career.

Swanson is one of a growing number of career changers who have used a Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program or MAAPP to enter the teaching profession. In 2008-2009 alone, Maryland issued over 500 certificates to alternative certification applicants, according to the National Center for Alternative Certification.

MAAPPs are established in partnership with specific school systems under a variety of names and with varying requirements. However, the initial process to qualify for entrance into a MAAPP is simple. Candidates with at least a bachelor's degree and a GPA of 2.75 who meet qualifying scores on the Praxis I and Praxis II qualify to apply for a MAAPP.

A full directory of MAAPPs is available at http://www.tttmaryland.org. The following are programs in the state's two largest school systems:

Montgomery County Public Schools Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET): This program is for aspiring secondary school teachers in critical shortage areas. It begins with a 90-hour spring institute, followed by a four to eight week internship. Participants are eligible for full employment under a resident teacher certificate within four to five months. Recruitment for this program is targeted to specific, high-need content areas each year.

Prince George's County Resident Teacher Program (PGCRT): This program is designed to place highly qualified teachers in high-need schools. PGCRT is fast and affordable. The length of time between the start of the program and teacher residency is a mere eight weeks. And the costs of the training are covered by Prince George's County Public Schools.