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Prerequisite Coursework in North Dakota
Certified teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree to teach in any state. Additionally, some states require specific undergraduate credit hours for certification in the areas of specialty. North Dakota’s undergraduate prerequisites are as follows:
Required for all levels and subjects: Professional education coursework is required in order to become licensed as a teacher in North Dakota. Coursework requirements can be met by attending a state approved teaching program. Supervised student teaching, and some classroom experience before student teaching, are also required in order to become licensed as a teacher in the state of North Dakota.
The major (in elementary education, middle-level education, or content-specific education at all grade levels) requires coursework specific to the major beyond the introductory level. Certification options include:
- Early Childhood
- Kindergarten
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
Also, content areas for PreK to Grade 12 certification include:
- Art
- Foreign Language
- Music
- Physical Education
- Computer Education
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North Dakota Teacher Certification Programs
Teacher certification programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. A list of North Dakota colleges and universities with approved teacher preparation programs can be found on the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.
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Required Tests for North Dakota
To become a certified teacher in North Dakota, you must complete and pass a basic skills test as well as any subject area competence assessments for the desired subject matter of instruction.
- Basic Skills Test: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE): Reading, Writing, and Mathematics sections
- Subject Area Competence: Praxis Subject Assessments in your specialty area
- Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): for Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary education, in addition to your specialty Praxis Subject Assessment
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 earn your North Dakota teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program.
Teacher education programs generally combine both curricula and fieldwork. The curricula typically include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork can include student teaching, internships, and field observations.
North Dakota issues a two-year Initial In-State License to first-time applicants and the Five Year Renewal License to applicants who have taught successfully for at least 18 months. Various other licenses exist for special situations.
If you already have a valid teaching credential from another state, you may be eligible to earn your North Dakota credential through interstate reciprocity. See the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board’s Routes to ND Licensure for Out-of-State Educators document for more information.
Learn more about earning your North Dakota teaching credential on the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board or read more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.
