Kansas 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. Kansas offers various paths to alternative teacher certification designed to attract career-switchers and experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree to the classroom. If you don’t have your bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional route certification in Kansas. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, read on to learn more about alternative routes to licensure.
Table of Contents
- Kansas Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Candidates need a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Kansas. They must also typically take the Praxis Subject Tests for the grade levels and subjects they wish to teach. Candidates must also complete a teacher preparation program, which can be completed in as little as one year as a graduate 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 Kansas
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) offers different pathways for alternative teacher certification. These pathways are designed for those with a bachelor’s or higher degree in subjects other than education.
Restricted Career and Technical Education Certificate
Prospective teachers of career and technical education subjects may qualify for a Restricted Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificate if they have an employment offer from a local school district, at least 4,000 hours of occupational experience in the content area to be taught, and been admitted to an acceptable professional teacher training program of at least 18 semester hours. Candidates must complete new teacher orientation, a recognized trade competency exam, and attend professional conferences related to the endorsement sought at least once per year. Within four years, candidates must complete the remaining training program requirements to earn a full CTE Certificate.
Restricted Teaching License Alternative Pathway
To be eligible for the Restricted Teaching License alternative path to licensure, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in the content area they want to teach and a GPA of at least 2.75 from the last 60 credits. Candidates must also have a passing score on the related Praxis Subject Test.
They must then be accepted to an alternative route program at an approved Kansas college or university and obtain an employment offer from a local school district. Once these requirements are met, candidates can apply for the Restricted License and teach full-time while completing the alternative route program requirements. This license may be renewed for an additional year if the holder is making progress toward acquiring an initial or professional license.
Testing Requirements for Kansas Alternative Certification
Candidates for alternative teacher certification in Kansas must take and pass the Praxis Subject Test in their endorsement area. For career and technical subjects where a Praxis subject exam is not offered, candidates must take a recognized industry certification exam. Read more about the required exams on the KDE website.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Educators with teaching certificates in other states may qualify for licensure through reciprocity. Kansas requires that licensure candidates complete a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program. Candidates must also have passed the required licensure examinations or their equivalent in another state. For more information, visit our teaching certificate reciprocity guide or the KSDE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Kansas
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher certification programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the KSDE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emporia State University* | CAEP | Master’s | 9 | 8 | N.Av. | $14,437 |
| Fort Hays State University* | CAEP | Master’s, Alternative | 272 | 124 | 97% | $13,379 |
| Kansas State University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,494 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,406 |
| Ottawa University | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $27,504 |
| Pittsburg State University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 95 | 28 | 96% | $14,006 |
| Southwestern College* | CAEP | Master’s | 6 | 2 | N.Av. | $25,012 |
| University of Saint Mary | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $22,029 |
| Wichita State University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | 308 | 77 | 89% | $14,357 |
- — 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.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Kansas
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Kansas. The following schools reported 95% or above pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- Fort Hays State University (Master’s, 97%)
- Pittsburgh State University (Alternative, Master’s, 96%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Kansas based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Kansas State University (12 months)
- Ottawa University (18 months)
- University of Saint Mary (18 months)
Additional Resources
- Kansas Approved Teacher Preparation Programs & Institutions: Directory of approved teacher education programs in the state.
- Kansas Restricted Teaching License Alternative Pathway: Detailed guide to requirements for alternative certification in Kansas.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Kansas Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Kansas State Department of Education: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TL
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/