Alternative Teacher Licensure

[rlw74]

I am curious if anyone in Ohio has sought Alternative Teacher Licensure? I have a BA in Social Sciences from TESU and a Masters of Theology from Nations University. I'm debating if I should go back to school for a degree in Education - and if so what would the best option be (a quick BA because I could get through it fast, a Master's program because it would take me further, or another option would be to pursue alternative licensure. From everything I have read, Ohio has so many steps it's hard to untangle. I would love to hear other's experiences if they've gone through the alternative teaching route. Was it faster? Did you have trouble finding a job with the less traditional approach?

[Alpha]

Considering the importance of such a job, I'd say it's a quite simple process.  Fill out a few forms and take one 16 week course ($750.00).  
Less complicated than earning another degree, I'd say.

[rlw74]

Considering the importance of such a job, I'd say it's a quite simple process.  Fill out a few forms and take one 16 week course ($750.00).  
Less complicated than earning another degree, I'd say.

It seemed simple when I first started researching it, but there seems to be a lot of extra steps that have been added - especially after the initial licensure. Also, it seems alternative licensure is only for certain subjects. I need to pass all the OAEs too before I start the application process. Fortunately, study.com has courses I could take. The $750 course (which might be a lot higher now - I've seen $1700 from a few of the approved schools) also requires student teaching observation and then there is 4 year process for observation in each subject area and a comprehensive test in the 2nd year of teaching. PDI can't be started until after employment starts - and I don't know if or when I would find a job. So the timeline seems a bit tricky. I would need to be sure I could finish the 16 week course at a time school is in session so I could get the observation in and make sure I have employment secured before starting the additional 12 hours needed after that course. I have an appointment with the Department of Ed tomorrow so I hope to learn more.

Did you go through the process and have trouble finding a job? Did you study for a specific subject? How difficult are the OAEs? I'm hoping it is something I could pursue without going back to school. Some states like Texas and California seem to have a better process than Ohio. I would love to talk to someone who has gone through the process here.

[Vle045]

I am not a teacher in Ohio, but have worked in OH K-12 schools in administrative roles. (currently doing Special Ed EMIS data). I think your best bet would be to look into teaching at private religious schools. When I worked at a Catholic High school, there were quite a few teachers that had alternative licensing. But I wasn’t involved in the process other than looking up their PAPs if they were also coaching a sport. (I was in Athletics at that time).

Good luck! ODE will be the best at answering your questions.

[dfrecore]

My vote is to contact some of the schools/districts you would like to teach at in your area and ask them what they're looking for.

It's also going to differ depending on the grade - generally speaking, you only want to get a degree in education if you're teaching elementary school; high schools and even middle schools would rather you have a degree in the subject you want to teach. If you want to teach Social Studies, then you have the right degree.

So go local and ask questions.

[natshar]

I am curious if anyone in Ohio has sought Alternative Teacher Licensure? I have a BA in Social Sciences from TESU and a Masters of Theology from Nations University. I'm debating if I should go back to school for a degree in Education - and if so what would the best option be (a quick BA because I could get through it fast, a Master's program because it would take me further, or another option would be to pursue alternative licensure. From everything I have read, Ohio has so many steps it's hard to untangle. I would love to hear other's experiences if they've gone through the alternative teaching route. Was it faster? Did you have trouble finding a job with the less traditional approach?

Another option would be to look into WGU. People have finished the entire degree in 18 months and that gets you a fully certified teacher. I agree the alternative routes sound appealing but then you find out it actually takes four years. 

Not saying this the best option for you but I'd at least look into it. I would at least apply to WGU (its free) and see how far you are from a degree. Each term is six months. 

Term 1: online courses you have left 
Term 2: pre student traching, observation, etc.
Term 3: student teaching (and if you get a teaching job where you didn't need to be certified like a private school. You might even be able to count it as student teaching too and get paid while doing this.)

[galileom]

I am curious if anyone in Ohio has sought Alternative Teacher Licensure? I have a BA in Social Sciences from TESU and a Masters of Theology from Nations University. I'm debating if I should go back to school for a degree in Education - and if so what would the best option be (a quick BA because I could get through it fast, a Master's program because it would take me further, or another option would be to pursue alternative licensure. From everything I have read, Ohio has so many steps it's hard to untangle. I would love to hear other's experiences if they've gone through the alternative teaching route. Was it faster? Did you have trouble finding a job with the less traditional approach?

Another option would be to look into WGU. People have finished the entire degree in 18 months and that gets you a fully certified teacher. I agree the alternative routes sound appealing but then you find out it actually takes four years. 

Not saying this the best option for you but I'd at least look into it. I would at least apply to WGU (its free) and see how far you are from a degree. Each term is six months. 

Term 1: online courses you have left 
Term 2: pre student traching, observation, etc.
Term 3: student teaching (and if you get a teaching job where you didn't need to be certified like a private school. You might even be able to count it as student teaching too and get paid while doing this.)

WGU is a great option. The only downside was that they don't let you transfer over many credits. For me, UMPI took 90 credits while WGU only took around 30. I did hear people finish the teaching degree in one term (6 months),  but it's rare.

[dfrecore]

I have heard that it takes a MINIMUM of 2 terms to do a teaching degree at WGU - one term for the courses you need, and then a second full term for student teaching. It also does not work in all states.

[Alpha]

I am not as familiar as some with the WGU system but it doesn't look like they have a BA program in K-12 Education.  They have Elementary Ed, Middle School with some specializations and then they jump into Special Ed and their Masters programs.  So if we take just the simplest example of Elementary Education on the BA level, it's not clear to me that you can plow through the required courses in one semester.  Clearly it depends on your transfer credits and how much time you can put into the competencies.  If you're working, have a family and any semblance of a social life it would be difficult to do all the coursework in one shot.  And then, there's the student teaching thing.  I'm still thinking that the Alternative Teaching Cert would be easier.  Either way it's a fair amount of work and so you'll have to have some substantial committment to the whatever process you choose.

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teachi...r-Licenses

[Alpha]

It's a bit off-topic but it seems there's quite a teacher shortage in Florida
Florida teacher vacancies soar to nearly 5,300 in January – Orlando Sentinel