January 20th, 2011 
jvremec
The Teaching Degree Alternate Route
Author: Erik Johnson
More and more K-12 teachers are getting certified through the teaching degree alternate route, which has greatly influenced the way that many people are entering the profession and allowed more people to begin this important career. Every state now has its own teaching degree alternate route, thanks to a program that began in the early 1980s as a means of avoiding teacher shortages. Today the program serves as a way to recruit, train and certify people who already have at least a bachelor’s degree and want to become teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Since the teaching degree alternate route is not a federal program, there are different routes in each state. In fact, there are approximately130 alternate routes to teacher certification throughout the country that are being implemented through a reported 485 programs. Many teachers are completing these programs each year. In the 2005/2006 academic year, for example, NCEI estimated that approximately 59,000 individuals were issued teaching certificates through alternative routes, which was an increase from approximately 50,000 in 2004/2005. Around the nation we see an average of about one third of all new teachers being hired coming from these alternate route programs.
The teaching degree alternate route programs differ from state to state and there are typically several programs to choose from in the more populated states. This has enabled many people to become teachers who might otherwise not have, and provided more opportunities for a wider base of individuals to enter the teaching profession. K-12 teaching is still a very honorable and steady job, so anything that makes it possible for more people to become teachers should be beneficial for our society.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-teaching-degree-alternate-route-1836743.html
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To know more about alternative routes teacher certification and other education certification program please visit EducationMajorsU.com. Education Majors is complete information portal for getting info about top teaching schools and teaching degree programs in different education majors to start career in teaching.
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What are some alternate route to teaching certification programs in California?
How long do these programs generally take? I have my MA.
There are tons. The full list of approved programs is on the states website – You’ll have to go through them to see which are alternative in nature.
A typical program is similar to UCLA’s:
http://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/TLA/application.php
2 years in length.
Has anyone considered (or have done) the alternate route to teaching? (instead of the traditional–MA degree)?
I am interested in teaching high school social studies, primarily US history, and I saw brochures and read some info on the alternate route to teaching, but I am still not sure about it? Any advice, tips?? Also, if I did take the alternate route how would I get the valuable classroom experience to effectively teach students?
I don’t know what the alternate route is but as for “valuable classroom teaching” if you have a passion for teaching and know your material you will be good. A good teacher comes naturally and it is the love of what they do. Befriend other teachers for insight on the ins and outs.•
New Jersey Alternate Route Teaching Program?
Hi all,
I’m currently a senior in college and finishing in May with a degree in chemistry. I considered being an education major at one point so have taken most of the courses needed to obtain my certification but with having two courses left to take in the spring, I wouldn’t student teach till September and graduate in December of 2008. My other option is to graduate with my chemistry degree in May and try to go alternate route to obtain my certification. I just can’t find much information on how this is done and was wondering if anyone knew. I was also wondering if I decided to go back and get a masters in education with that be possible if I went alternate route? I just want to be able to teach chemistry at the high school level and have already taken and passed the Praxis II. Any input, advice, information is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks so much!
Try this websire and see if it helps:
http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/alternate.htm
I know in other states if you have more than 18 education credits you can’t enter an alternate program.
Good Luck!
To apply for a teaching job for the alternate route program or obtaining master in education?
I have a Major in Computer Science and minor in Mathematics and am interested in teaching Math and computers. Would that be enough or would I have to take additional math courses to be able to apply for a teaching position (after I finish taking my necessary certification tests). When they say 30 semesters of Math courses, does that also include computer science courses and science courses? Also, shoudl I go through alternate route or shoul I go towards a masters in education instead. Thank You
Math teachers are in demand and most systems are always looking for good ones. I would suggest that you contact the personal dept. of a school system near you and ask them. You can also ask your college advisers if you are still taking classes.
I do always suggest that if you can , get your masters degree. It will increase your pay by 5,000 or more a year in many areas. I was never able to get mine, but have 12 years teaching experience.
New Jersey Alternate Route Teaching – Please help?
Hi all,
I’m currently a senior in college and finishing in May with a degree in chemistry. I considered being an education major at one point so have taken most of the courses needed to obtain my certification but with having two courses left to take in the spring, I wouldn’t student teach till September and graduate in December of 2008. My other option is to graduate with my chemistry degree in May and try to go alternate route to obtain my certification. I just can’t find much information on how this is done and was wondering if anyone knew. I was also wondering if I decided to go back and get a masters in education with that be possible if I went alternate route? I just want to be able to teach chemistry at the high school level and have already taken and passed the Praxis II. Any input, advice, information is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks so much!
I would say do two things: Talk to the people at the county school district office you want to work in. the HR people can lead you to the person there who is “in the know” about these things. Secondly, you can go to the college and speak to your advisor, but they weren’t much help to me. Academic planning was the office to go to, found a lady there that really cared and was helpful. Listen to all the advice and go with what will get you to your goal, not the shortest in particular. The time you spend now will be nothing when you look back in years to come !
High school level is cool, I worked at that level for five years.
Good luck ! Sounds like you are going to be one great teacher !