Teaching (Graduate Certificate)

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Offered by the School of Education , College of Arts and Sciences , this teacher certification program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in the arts, sciences, or humanities and several years of responsible work experience. Students complete the program and must pass certification (licensure) in the District of Columbia and through such certification are eligible for reciprocal certification in over 40 states. Some states may require additional courses or examinations. The certificate program may be taken in early childhood education, elementary, secondary, K-12, or English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) teaching.

Admission to the Program

Applications must include transcripts of all college work, AARTS transcripts or equivalent, a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work and in all graduate work, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendations. Admission to the certificate program constitutes admission to the Teacher Education Program. To be admitted students must earn a passing score on the PRAXIS CORE or equivalency exam as set by the District of Columbia. The College of Arts and Sciences uses a rolling admissions process and applications are accepted at all times.

Certificate Requirements

24-30 credit hours of approved graduate work, including 6 credit hours of student teaching, with grades of C or better, and at least 9-12 credit hours at the 600-level or above. For secondary certification, specific coursework in the subject area to be taught may be needed to meet requirements for certification. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in certificate courses in order to be awarded a certificate. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. International students must enroll in 9 credit hours each semester (except for summer). A maximum of 6 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit.
- Option to waive credit hours: Students who are fulltime classroom teachers may be permitted to waive 3 credit hours of student teaching (EDU-699 ) without replacement. The waiving of credit hours and the specific number of credit hours to be waived are determined and approved by the program director and the SOE Dean upon admission to the program.
Completion of PRAXIS II exam prior to being awarded certificate
Electronic professional teaching portfolio

Course Requirements

All coursework must be approved by the director of Teacher Education. Evaluation of field performance may involve videotaping of classroom teaching.

Core (6 credit hours)

Student Teaching (6 credit hours)

EDU-699 Student Teaching Seminar in Professional Practice (3-6)

Tracks (12-18 credit hours)

Complete one of the following tracks:

Early Childhood Education (18 credit hours)

Elementary (18 credit hours)

Secondary Education (12 credit hours)

EDU-617 Reading, Writing, and Literature across the Curriculum (3)
EDU-663 Principles of Effective Methods and Instruction (3)
EDU-688 Methods, Materials, and Management in Secondary Education I (3) (or other approved methods course)
EDU-689 Methods, Materials, and Management in Secondary Education II (3) (or other approved methods course)

K-12 Education (12 credit hours)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (18 credit hours)

Ongoing Assessment of Academic and Professional Performance

To remain in the Teacher Education Program, certificate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00; receive satisfactory evaluations in field and methods placements; obtain a satisfactory evaluation from the Teacher Education Committee based upon academic, professional, and performance criteria established by the committee; and meet specific course grade requirements. Students must also earn a passing score (as set by the District of Columbia teacher licensing agency) on the PRAXIS CORE or equivalency exam.

Admission to the Teaching (MAT)

Students in the certificate program seeking admission to the Teaching (MAT) degree program will be considered after satisfactory completion of up to 18 credit hours of coursework. A maximum of 12 credit hours earned in nondegree status may be applied to a graduate degree program.

Additional Information for Graduate Certificate in Teaching

Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) Codes

Early Childhood Education, CIP 13.1210

SOC 25-2011.00	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC 25-2012.00	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Elementary Education, CIP 13.1202

SOC 25-2021.00

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Secondary Education, CIP 13.1205

SOC 25-2031.00

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

English as a Second Language, CIP 13.1401

SOC 25-2012.00	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC 25-2021.00	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC 25-2022.00	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
SOC 25-2031.00	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education

Program Costs

Program	Estimated Costs of Tuition & Fees to Complete Certificate	Estimated Costs of Tuition & Fees per Credit Hour	Estimated Costs of Texts & Supplies per Class	Estimated Costs of Texts & Supplies to Complete Certificate
Early Childhood Education	$47,370	$1,579	$100	$1,000
Elementary Education	$47,370	$1,579	$100	$1,000
Secondary Education	$37,896	$1,579	$100	$1,000
K-12 Education	$37,896	$1,579	$100	$1,000
English for Speakers of Other Languages	$47,370	$1,579	$100	$1,000

Note: Tuition, fees, and costs of texts, supplies, and meal plans are subject to change.