Maryland Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Teacher certification in Maryland is overseen by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Educator Effectiveness. All prospective teachers in the state must have at least a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Maryland. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Continue reading to learn more about these options.
Table of Contents
- Maryland Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Candidates for alternative teacher certification in Maryland must have at least a bachelor’s degree. There are several pathways candidates can follow based on their educational background and experience. These alternative routes allow you to teach while fulfilling certification requirements, potentially reducing the time it takes to earn a standard teaching certificate.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Maryland
Maryland’s alternative teacher certification programs typically lead to a master’s degree and licensure. Most applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and complete formal teacher preparation to become licensed to teach in Maryland.
Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC)
The Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) is valid for three years and allows candidates to teach while attending an alternative teacher preparation program. RTC alternative preparation programs are jointly administered by school districts and participating colleges and universities and typically lead to a graduate certificate. These programs may also lead to a master’s degree in education, teaching, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program. Those interested in the RTC should review the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs (MAAPP) guide.
Conditional License (CL)
Though not common, the MSDE issues a Conditional License (CL) to candidates who are not already certified to teach at the request of a local school system. These requests are typically made when a certified teacher cannot be found for an open position. This type of certificate is valid for two years.
Testing Requirements for Maryland Alternative Certification
All Maryland educators must pass the same set of exams to become fully licensed to teach in the state. First, candidates must meet a basic skills requirement, such as passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, having an overall 3.0 GPA, or having a minimum SAT, ACT, or GRE score. Candidates must also take the Praxis content area and pedagogy assessments for their grade level and subject area. A list of required content area exams by endorsement area is available on the MSDE website.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Reciprocity in Maryland is possible for out-of-state certified teachers who completed a teacher preparation program from an accredited school. For details on reciprocity requirements, review our teaching license reciprocity resource or the MSDE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Maryland
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 MSDE Educator Preparation and Program Approval Branch for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $14,322 |
| Coppin State University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $9,303 |
| Frostburg State University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,970 |
| Goucher College* | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,659 |
| Hood College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $23,775 |
| Johns Hopkins University* | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $25,241 |
| Loyola University Maryland* | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $37,375 |
| McDaniel College | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $23,913 |
| Morgan State University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $16,651 |
| Mount St. Mary’s University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $28,111 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $20,023 |
| Salisbury University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,599 |
| St. Mary’s College of Maryland | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,237 |
| Stevenson University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $27,770 |
| Towson University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $16,082 |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $16,868 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,643 |
| University of Maryland-Eastern Shore | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,633 |
| University of Maryland-Global Campus | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,210 |
- — 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.
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Maryland based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Notre Dame of Maryland University (10 months)
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland (11 months)
- Bowie State University (12 months)
- Frostburg State University (12 months)
- Loyola University Maryland (12 months)
- Towson University (12 months)
- University of Maryland-Baltimore County (12 months)
- University of Maryland-College Park (12 months)
- Salisbury University (16 months)
- University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (17 months)
- Goucher College (18 months)
- Morgan State University (18 months)
- University of Maryland-Global Campus (18 months)
Additional Resources
- Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs: Directory of state-approved programs for future educators.
- MSDE Guide to Initial Credentials: Guide to certification requirements for first-time teachers.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- How to Become a Teacher in Baltimore
- Maryland Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Maryland State Department of Education Division of Educator Effectiveness: https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/index.aspx
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/