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Prerequisite Coursework in Alaska
All states require that prospective teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree and complete or be in the process of completing a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides a Directory of Approved Teacher Education Programs.
Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements. Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork. Curricula generally include instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. Check with your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements.
Alaska does not list specific course or credit hour requirements for an Initial Certificate, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. The state does require a period of student teaching or mentored/supervised teaching. To qualify for an extension of an Initial/Two-Year certificate or a Professional Certificate in Alaska, you must also complete approved coursework in Alaska studies AND Alaska multicultural studies.
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Alaska Teacher Certification Programs
Teacher certification programs generally require both coursework and fieldwork components. The coursework consists of essential knowledge and skills for teachers, as well as an exploration of contemporary pedagogy (the art and science of teaching). The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development provides a Directory of Approved Teacher Education Programs.
Check with your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements. Alaska does not list specific course or credit hour requirements for an Initial Certificate, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. The state does require a period of student teaching or mentored/supervised teaching.
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Required Tests for Alaska
Becoming a certified teacher requires the completion of certain standardized tests. In addition, some states and teacher preparation programs require an exam for entry into the program. For an Initial Certificate, Alaska requires that applicants pass the Praxis 1/PreProfessional Skills Test (PPST), the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, or an equivalent basic competency exam from one of a number of other states.
For information on which states’ exams can be submitted and what scores are required, check the Basic Competency Exam Requirement section of the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development’s website. For a Professional Certificate, you must also pass a Praxis II Content Area Exam or a content exam from another state. Read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’ Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
To become certified as a teacher in Alaska, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete or be enrolled in a teacher preparation program, and pass the required standardized tests. If you have a teaching credential from another state, you may be able to use an interstate reciprocity program to become certified in Alaska. Learn more about Alaska’s certification requirements through the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.
The two main types of teaching credentials used in Alaska are the Initial Certificate (valid for two years with a possible one-year extension, nonrenewable) and the five-year, renewable, Professional Certificate. To advance from the Initial to the Professional Certificate, you must teach for at least two years, complete a teacher preparation program, and take required courses. There is also a Master Teacher Certificate (valid for ten years, renewable) available for teachers who have earned National Board certification.
Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.
