Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Alternative Teacher Certification


Admissions Information   

The graduate certificate for Alternative Teacher Certification is intended for individuals who meet state requirements for alternative certification which include a valid Alternative Preliminary Certificate, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and an offer of employment from a public or Department-accredited school. Certification requires 15 transcripted credits covering the following topics: classroom management, teaching methods, student assessment, differentiated instruction, adolescent psychology, and South Dakota Indian studies.

Program Overview


This 15-credit online certificate provides a pathway to teaching certification outside of traditional teacher education programs. It is ideal for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields who want to transition to K-12 teaching, have a valid Alternative Preliminary Certificate and have an offer of employment from a public or accredited school. Students need to pass the appropriate state-designated pedagogy test, adhere to the South Dakota Code of Professional Ethics for Teachers and receive sign-off from the employing school/district. Certification requires 15 transcripted credits covering the following topics: classroom management, teaching methods, student assessment, differentiated instruction, adolescent psychology, and South Dakota Indian studies.Learn more at usd.edu/alt-teach-cert.

DELIVERY: On campus | Online

Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Admission test scores*
  6. Statement of purpose
  7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification


The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?


Division of Curriculum and Instruction
605-658-6639 | ci@usd.edu | usd.edu/ci

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad