Ohio Alternative Certification Programs

(found programs from 10 schools)

Ohio is currently experiencing a teaching shortage in the areas of math, science, special education, and English as a second language, particularly in the regions of Central and Southwest Ohio. The state hires approximately 8,000 new teachers each year according to the National Center for Education Information, but not all are certified to teach in a high-need area. In order to meet the needs of its students, Ohio has implemented several ways for professionals to obtain a teaching certification. As long as you have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, there is program to fit your individual needs. Furthermore, after four years of teaching with your alternative educator license, there are only three more steps to becoming a certified professional educator:

• Completion of the four year Ohio Resident Educator Program.
• 12 semester (18 quarter) hours of professional education coursework from an approved teacher-training program.
• Completion of the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam 0523 or 0524.

One program you may consider is Project KNOTtT. This federally funded program is designed to recruit, train, and mentor new teachers, with the goal of retaining teachers in high-need school districts. Project KNOTtT specifically addresses shortages in math, science, English, foreign languages, English as a second language, and special education.

Another program available is The Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute. This program consists of four steps:

• Complete the application and return with official transcripts.
• Pass the content area examination for the subject you are seeking.
• Complete required FBI and BCI background checks.
• Register for IPTI after completion of coursework, testing, and background checks.

This is an accelerated program in which the individual may teach not only traditional classes such as science and math, but also world languages from pre-school through 12th grade and career and technical workforce development, among other subjects.