Montana 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. If you have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Montana. Continue reading to find out more about alternative teacher certification in Montana.
Table of Contents
- Montana 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
A bachelor’s degree is required for alternative certification in Montana. Candidates may then complete an alternative teacher preparation program or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or an endorsement area that includes an approved certification program to qualify for licensure. Candidates must also pass the Praxis Subject Test in their desired teaching area.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Montana
There are three main pathways to earning a Montana teaching license through alternative preparation. The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) provides further information on these pathways, which are outlined below.
Alternative Teacher Credentialing: American Board Pathway
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who complete an approved alternative teacher certification program are eligible for a Class 2 Standard Teaching License. The approved alternative teacher certification and endorsement program is offered by American Board. Candidates must pass a required pedagogy and subject area exam and submit transcripts to receive their teaching certificate from American Board. Then they must complete additional state requirements, including taking coursework related to Indian Education for All and passing a criminal history background check. Once all requirements have been met, candidates can apply to the OPI for a Class 2 Standard Certificate and begin teaching in a Montana school. They must also complete the required district mentor program during their first year of teaching.
Class 5 Provisional Teaching License
The Class 5 Provisional License is avaialable for individuals who have not yet met all of Montana’s teacher licensing requirements, particularly those who have not completed an educator preparation program (EPP). To apply for this license, candidates must have a plan of study from an approved professional educator preparation program that leads to program completion within three years. This requires that candidates be admitted to a preparation program prior to applying for licensure. Once the non-renewable Provisional Teaching License is issued and a background check is passed, candidates may teach full-time while completing the program requirements.
Class 4 Career and Technical License
A Class 4 Career and Technical license is issued to those who have not completed an educational degree but have work experience in a career or technical area and wish to teach career and technical education subjects. A minimum of 5,000 hours of work experience is required to earn this certification. In some subject areas, professional licensure or certification may also be required. Candidates must also pass a fingerprint-based background check.
Testing Requirements for Montana Alternative Certification
Candidates seeking endorsement in eligible subjects must typically pass the corresponding Praxis Subject Test to obtain full licensure in Montana. They can also meet the testing requirement with a passing score on their student teaching portfolio or a GPA of 3.0 or higher from their EPP.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Teachers with out-of-state teaching licenses may be eligible for Montana reciprocity based on a credential review. If you completed an out-of-state EPP, the program should complete the University or Alternative Program Recommendation for Teaching Endorsements form, which is part of the license application. If the alternative program was properly accredited and led to licensure in the state where you completed it, you may qualify for Montana licensure. For more information on reciprocity see our guide to teaching license reciprocity or the OPI.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Montana
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 the OPI 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University-Billings | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $12,025 |
| Montana State University-Bozeman | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,656 |
| University of Montana-Missoula | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,220 |
| University of Montana-Western | CAEP | Certificate | — | — | — | $11,679 |
- — 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 Montana 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.
- Montana State University-Bozeman (12 months)
- University of Montana-Missoula (12 months)
- University of Montana-Western (18 months)
Additional Resources
- Approved Montana Educator Preparation Programs: Directory of programs approved for the preparation of teachers in the state.
- Montana Educator Licensure Frequently Asked Questions: Helpful FAQ from the Montana OPI.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Montana Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Montana Office of Public Instruction: https://opi.mt.gov/
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/