Alaska Teacher Certification
How to Become a Teacher in Alaska
According to Alaska Statute 14.20.010, no one can teach in an Alaska public school without a valid Alaska teacher certification. Certification is granted through the Teacher Education and Certification Office, which is situated within the Department of Education an Early Development. Becoming a teacher in Alaska requires the successful completion of an approved teacher education program and the accompanying recommendation of a regionally accredited college or university. To obtain Alaska teaching certification, you must also submit passing scores on one of a selection of basic competency exams, a background check, and a completed application with accompanying application fee. If you have been certified to teach in another state, you may be eligible for an initial teacher certificate in Alaska.
- I want to be a teacher in Alaska, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about Alaska’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
Spotlight School
Popular Programs:
- AA in Education (Non-Licensure)
- M.Ed. - Teaching and Learning
- M.Ed. Teaching and Learning - Elementary Education
- MA in Teaching - Elementary Education
- And more...
Types of Alaska Teaching Certificates
There are several types of teaching certification in Alaska. The first is the initial teacher certificate. To obtain this certificate, you must have a bachelor’s degree during which you completed a teacher education program, or you must be enrolled in a teacher education program (to be completed within 2 years). Initial certification application and fees must be submitted, along with passing scores on an approved basic competency test, and fingerprint cards with a background check application. An initial teacher certificate is valid for three years. During that time, the requirements for a professional teacher certificate or master teacher certificate must be met.
A professional teacher certificate is one for which the applicant has completed a teacher education program and holds an initial certificate. In addition, he/she must complete approved Alaska Studies and Multicultural/Cross-Cultural Communication courses. The applicant must also have recency credit (six semester credit hours within the previous five years). In addition to the passing scores on a content area exam and a completed application and fees, the applicant must submit verification of current employment in an Alaska school system. This certificate is valid for five years and is renewable. A master teacher certificate is the next level, and it involves completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards program.
At the start of 2012, Alaska’s unemployment rate has risen to 8.1%, but remains lower than the national average of 8.5% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The Occupational Supply & Demand System projects 397 annual teaching, library and other education-related job openings in Alaska through 2018. The National Center for Education Statistics shows there were 7,927 public school and 460 private school teachers in 2008 and 2007 respectively. Average and starting teaching salaries in the state are $62,918 (10th in the nation) and $42,687 (NEA, 2012). The NEA also reports teacher shortages in all areas, but especially special education, science and math. NEA-Alaska, the largest active union for education professionals in the state, provides the latest news on issues impacting teachers. Given the projected hires, now is a good time to research school options to become a teacher in Alaska as the recovery should be deeply established by the time you complete a degree.
Alaska Teacher Education Requirements
In order to be certified to teach in Alaska, an applicant must have completed or be enrolled in a state-approved teacher education program at an accredited college or university. For an initial certificate, an applicant must be able to complete their teacher education program within two years. If the applicant has completed their university program, they must submit an institutional recommendation to the certification office. If the applicant has finished their state-approved, non-university program, they must submit a state recommendation. If the applicant has not completed the teacher education program yet, a proof of program enrollment form must be submitted.
Alaska Teacher Testing Requirements
There are a number of basic competency exams that meet the requirement for teacher certification in Alaska. Applicants must submit passing scores from all sections (reading, writing, mathematics) of one of the exams. The exams include the Praxis I, and state basic skills tests from Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington.
Profiles of Well Known Schools
University of Alaska Anchorage: The University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s flagship university and has been educating the state’s future teachers, counselors and administrators since 1954. The College of Education is one of the largest school’s on campus as Education is the second most popular major behind nursing. The University of Alaska Anchorage is unique in that it offers extended pathways to degrees by offering two-year associate’s degrees not typically offered at most universities. The most popular education degree continues to be Elementary Education which prepares students to be classroom instructors at the K-8 levels. Other majors available at UAA include undergraduate and graduate offerings in postsecondary education (including specialty areas such as reading, history, math, science, etc.), counseling, administration, special education and school psychology.
Alaska Teacher Salary and Jobs
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 560 | $35,120 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 230 | $68,290 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 4,070 | $72,090 |
| Middle School Teachers | 1,380 | $69,680 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 2,660 | $69,730 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Alaska
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools
Popular Programs:
- MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
- Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
- A.A. in Elementary Education
- M.A. in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
- M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
- BA in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
- MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
- Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Alaska
Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 561-1266
www.alaskapacific.edu/admissions/Pages/Default.aspx
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1800
www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Signers Hall
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7480
(907) 474-7211
www.uaf.edu/admissions/index.html
University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, AK 99801-8697
(877) 465-4827
www.uas.alaska.edu/admissions/admissions/index.html
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
