Louisiana Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Louisiana offers several alternative routes to teacher certification. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Louisiana. If you do have your bachelor’s degree, read more below about alternative routes to licensure in Louisiana.

Table of Contents

• Louisiana Alternative Certification Requirements
• Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
• Testing Requirements
• Licenses From Another State
• Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
• Best Alternative Certification Programs
• Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
• Additional Resources

Requirements for Alternative Certification

The minimum qualification to pursue alternative teacher certification in Louisiana is a bachelor’s degree. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree can pursue an alternative teacher certification program leading to either a post-baccalaureate certificate or a master’s degree in education. Master’s degrees in teaching or academic subjects can also qualify candidates to teach in Louisiana.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Louisiana

Alternative routes to teacher certification in Louisiana are designed to bring qualified teachers who are changing careers to the classroom. The different pathways are outlined below.

Practitioner Teacher Alternate Certification Program

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 2.2 can pursue the Practitioner Teacher Alternate Certification Program. Candidates for this pathway must take the Praxis exams for the subject and grade level they wish to teach and apply to an approved teacher preparation program. Accepted candidates are issued a Practitioner License 1 (PL1), which allows them to teach full time while completing the program. After completing the program, candidates are eligible for a Level 1 Professional License.

Master’s Degree Alternate Certification Program

The Master’s Degree Alternate Certification Program allows candidates to teach full time while completing a master’s degree and teacher preparation program. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and pass the appropriate Praxis exams. Next, candidates must apply to an approved master’s degree program provider. Upon acceptance to a program, candidates may apply for the Practitioner License 3 (PL3) and teach while completing the master’s degree. At the end of this comprehensive program, candidates are qualified for a Level 3 Professional License.

Certification-Only Program

The Certification-Only Program is a less intensive path than a master’s degree as it typically requires fewer credit hours. Candidates must have at least a 2.2 GPA, pass the Praxis exams, and apply to an approved program provider. Candidates then apply for a Practitioner License 2 (PL2), allowing them to teach while completing a teacher preparation program. After completing the program, candidates are eligible for a Professional License.

Career & Technical Trade & Industrial Education (CTTIE) Certification

Under the Career & Technical Trade & Industrial Education (CTTIE) Certification pathway, candidates apply for a CTTIE-1 Certificate to teach career and technical education subjects while completing the requirements for a professional CTTIE-2 Certificate. The minimum requirements for this pathway are an offer of employment from a school district; a high school diploma; industry certification in the subject area, if available; and at least four years of full-time work experience. For more information on this pathway, visit the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) website.

Testing Requirements for Louisiana Alternative Certification

Candidates for Louisiana alternative teacher certification must pass the same exams as traditional pathway educators, the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) and Praxis content area exams. These exams are typically taken before applying to an alternative teacher preparation program. For further details on these exams, visit the LDOE website.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Louisiana offers limited reciprocity to experienced teachers who hold active teacher certification in another state and have at least three years of experience. Candidates should apply for an Out-of-State Teaching Certificate, which is valid for three years while they complete the requirements for a Louisiana Professional License. For more details, see our guide to interstate reciprocity or contact the LDOE.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Louisiana

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the LDOE for the preparation of teachers.

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
• *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Louisiana

We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Louisiana. The following schools all reported 100% pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.

• Louisiana Christian University (Alternative, Master’s)
• Louisiana State University-Alexandria (Alternative, Master’s)
• Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge (Alternative, Master’s)
• Louisiana Tech University (Alternative, Master’s)
• McNeese State University (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• Nicholls State University (Alternative)
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• Southeastern Louisiana University (Alternative, Master’s)
• Tulane University (Alternative, Master’s)
• University of Holy Cross (Alternative)
• University of Louisiana Lafayette (Alternative)
• University of Louisiana Monroe (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
• University of New Orleans (Master’s)
• Xavier University of Louisiana (Master’s)⁴

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Louisiana based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

1. Louisiana Christian University (12 months)
2. Nicholls State University (12 months)
3. Southern University and A&M College (12 months)
4. University of Louisiana Monroe (14 months)
5. Grambling State University (15 months)

Additional Resources

• Approved Teacher Preparation Program Providers in Louisiana: Directory of state-approved teaching programs.
• Louisiana Department of Education: Teach Louisiana: Provides detailed information on requirements for alternative teacher certification candidates.
• Louisiana Department of Education Talent Recruitment System Job Opportunities: Database of teaching jobs in Louisiana’s K-12 public schools.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide: Summarizes routes to alternative teacher certification by state with overviews of pathway requirements, national professional credentialing programs, and other resources for career changes to teaching.
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide: Provides an overview of requirements for certification via reciprocity by state.

References:
1. Louisiana Department of Education: http://www.teachlouisiana.net/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/