Tennessee Alternative Certification Programs

(found programs from 28 schools)

The state of Tennessee is facing a dire teacher shortage at all grade levels and in all subject areas. According to the Memphis publication, A Commercial Appeal, it is predicted that 40 percent of teaching positions - over 31,000 - could remain unfilled in 2013, especially in the areas of math, science, technology, English as a second language, and elementary art, music, and physical education. According to teachnow.org, Tennessee hires up to 4,600 new teachers every year, and approximately five percent of educators in Tennessee enter the profession through non-traditional routes.

The Tennessee Department of Education offers a transitional license to teach. While alternative certifications are no longer issued in the state of Tennessee, the transitional license is issued to individuals who are employed in a school while still completing specific licensure requirements. In order to receive your transitional license, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• A degree in the subject area sought.
• Documentation of at least 24 semester hours in the subject area sought.
• Verification of passing scores on the required PRAXIS II content exam(s) for the subject area(s) sought.

Once you are issued your transitional license, it is valid for one school year and may be renewed for up to two additional years.

Two programs you may consider are Troops to Teachers or Transition to Teaching. Troops to Teachers is a federally funded program created to assist eligible military personnel in making the career change to education in "high need" schools. Stipends of up to $5,000 are available to reimburse the costs associated with teaching certification, and bonuses of $10,000 are available for those who agree to teach for at least three years in a school with a high population of low-income students. Transition to Teaching is a program for individuals who have a degree in mathematics, science, or foreign language. Under the state-approved program, an applicant may earn certification within a shorter amount of time, since this program takes into account individual experience and academic qualifications in lieu of traditional education coursework.