Many people struggle with finding a job or are unfulfilled in their current career. If you are considering a career change and want to empower and inspire generations – one student at a time – Kentucky has alternative pathways in place so you can use your professional knowledge in a classroom.
Unsure which option is best for you? Complete the interactive Alternate Pathway form to determine which pathway you should explore or contact the Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness at (502) 564-1479 for more information.
Option 1: Exceptional Work Experience
An individual who has exceptional work experience and has been offered employment in a local school district shall receive a one year provisional certificate with approval by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
Option 2: Local District Training Program
A local school district or group of school districts may seek approval for a training program. The state-approved local school district training program is an alternative to the college teacher preparation program as a means of acquiring teacher certification for a teacher at any grade level. The training program may be offered for all teaching certificates approved by the Education Professional Standards Board, including interdisciplinary early childhood education, except for specific certificates for teachers of exceptional children.
There are no current Option 2 programs approved by the EPSB.
Option 3: College Faculty
Candidates who possess the following qualifications may receive a one year provisional certificate for teaching at any level:
- A master’s degree or doctoral degree in the academic content area for which certification is sought;
- A minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience, or its equivalent, in the academic content area for which certification is sought in a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education; and
- An offer of employment in a school district which has been approved by the EPSB.
Option 4: Adjunct Instructor (P-12)
The Adjunct Instructor Certification does not lead to professional certification in Kentucky. However, it does allow those who have expertise and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in an academic content area and meet other qualifications to teach part-time on a contract basis.
Option 5: Armed Forces Veterans
A pathway to certification for military veterans with an honorable discharge or a member of the National Guard or Army Reserves with at least six years of eligible military service who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an academic content area or meet PRAXIS requirements and a GPA of at least 2.75.
For more information about this option, please email Norma Andrade.
Option 6: University-Based Alternative Route
This pathway is for individuals who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-teaching major who are interested in attaining initial teacher certification; meet university admission requirements and have a GPA of at least 2.75.
Option 7: Institute Alternative Route
In this option, candidates complete training through an approved institute that addresses multiple research-based teaching strategies and practices. Candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an academic content area and 2.75 GPA may be eligible for this pathway. Approved Option 7 providers can be located at Approved Option 7 Providers.
This route is for initial certification only. Please review the information below. If you feel that you may be an eligible candidate through this route, please email Sharon Salsman.
Prior to receiving a one (1) year provisional certificate, the candidate shall meet the following:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with a declared academic major in the area in which certification is sought or a graduate degree in a field related to the area in which certification is sought; and
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution.
Prior to receiving your Professional Certificate, the teacher candidate shall meet the following program and certification requirements:
- A candidate seeking elementary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete the equivalent of a two hundred forty (240) hour institute, based on six (6) hour days for eight (8) weeks.1
- A candidate seeking middle and secondary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete the equivalent of a one hundred eighty (180) hour institute, based on six (6) hour days for six (6) weeks.
- Have a passing score on the academic content assessment(s) in the area in which certification is being sought as designated by the Education Professional Standards Board.
- Receive a recommendation from the approved Educator Preparation Provider/Institute.
Option 8: Teach For America (TFA)
A national nonprofit organization that recruits, trains and supports outstanding recent college graduates for career placement in participating school districts within the Appalachian Region of Kentucky.
Option 9: Expedited Route
This is an expedited route to certification that results in a bachelor’s degree and initial certification within three school years. The route requires a college or university to partner with a district or group of districts to develop a program that includes a paraprofessional/residency component and utilizes experienced teachers to provide coaching and mentoring. Though this route requires a candidate to be employed in a classified position while completing coursework, it does not allow the candidate to serve as a teacher while enrolled in the route. To serve as a teacher, an individual must possess a teaching certificate. The Option 9 alternative route only provides for initial certification once the candidate completes the bachelor’s degree and certification assessments.
Programs and participants will be required to meet the requirements of KRS 161.048(10) and the 16 KAR 9:110E. Check with the school district you are interested in to find out if it has an approved Option 9 program.