Alaska Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. As of 2025, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) does not officially recognize any alternative routes to licensure for candidates seeking teacher certification. However, those who have a bachelor’s degree but did not complete teacher preparation have the option of returning to school and completing a teacher preparation program to qualify for initial teaching licensure. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Alaska. Otherwise, continue reading to learn more about post-bachelor’s preparation programs in the state.
Table of Contents
- Alaska Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Candidates following the non-traditional path to teacher certification in Alaska must have at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in a teachable subject. They must complete an approved Alaska teacher preparation program. These programs can sometimes be completed in as little as one year as a postbaccalaureate certificate. Candidates may also elect to pursue a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Alaska
As noted above, there are currently no recognized routes to alternative teacher certification in Alaska. Most candidates are required to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program before applying for a license. However, there is one district-sponsored certificate that does not lead to traditional certification but that may be an option for some candidates.
Limited Type M Certificate
The Limited Type M Limited Certificate is issued to candidates with four years of experience demonstrating competency in an Alaska Native language or culture (Limited Type M: Language and Culture Teacher Certificate), with demonstrated competency in military science who meets the criteria for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors (Limited Type M: Military Science Teacher Certificate), or with four years of full-time experience in a trade or vocational pursuit (Limited Type M: Career-Technical Teacher Certificate). This type of license must be requested by a local school board and is only valid in that district. Requirements include two letters of recommendation verifying experience, official transcripts, submission of a fingerprint card, and the completion of four Mandatory Trainings. This license does not lead to any other type of teacher certification in Alaska and is limited to the subjects listed above. Read more on the DEED website.
Testing Requirements for Alaska Alternative Certification
Except for the Limited Type M Certificate, candidates who complete a teacher preparation program after earning a bachelor’s degree must pass the same exams as all other prospective educators in the state. To qualify for the Initial Teacher Certificate, candidates must pass an approved basic competency exam (BCE) and the Praxis Subject Test for their content area.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Out-of-state applicants may qualify for teacher certification through reciprocity if they have completed a bachelor’s degree, have a valid out-of-state teaching certificate, have at least two years of teaching experience under that certificate, and complete the four Mandatory Trainings. Candidates must take Alaska-specific coursework within two years. For more information, view our guide to teaching certificate reciprocity or the DEED website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Alaska
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by DEED for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Pacific University | CAEP | Certificate | — | — | — | $20,944 |
| University of Alaska-Fairbanks | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $10,778 |
| University of Alaska-Southeast | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $10,506 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Alaska based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- University of Alaska-Southeast (11 months)
- Alaska Pacific University (12 months)
- University of Alaska-Fairbanks (12 months)
Additional Resources
- Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) Teacher Certification: Division of the DEED responsible for teacher testing, licensing, and endorsements.
- DEED District-Sponsored Certificates: Limited Type M Teacher Certificate: Overview of the qualifications and requirements for the Limited Type M Certificate in select subjects.
- Alaska Educator Retention and Recruitment Center (AERRC): Connects Alaska’s 53 school districts with teachers looking for jobs.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Alaska Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Alaska Department of Education & Early Development: https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/