Oregon Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as 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 already have your bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Oregon. While the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) has not established any paid alternative preparation program options for core classroom subjects, a master’s degree pathway to licensure is available for individuals pursuing alternative teacher certification in Oregon. There are also alternative routes to licensure in highly specialized and career and technical education subjects. Continue reading to learn more about these options.
Table of Contents
- Oregon 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
To pursue alternative teacher certification in Oregon, candidates must typically possess at least a bachelor’s degree and complete an approved teacher certification program. For select licensing categories, an associate’s degree may be acceptable. Teacher certification programs can be completed in as little as one year as a graduate certificate. Candidates may also elect to pursue a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program. Certain types of alternative licensure allow candidates to teach for a limited time while fulfilling certification requirements, which include passing the same basic content area exams as traditional-route teachers in the state.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Oregon
In select subjects, Oregon offers alternative routes to teacher licensure for candidates with a bachelor’s degree. These alternative pathways are designed for qualified prospective teachers to pursue certification based on their previous education and background even if they have not completed a formal teacher preparation program. More detailed information on alternative route teaching licenses in Oregon is available through the TSPC.
Limited Teaching License
A Limited License to teach in Oregon may be issued to individuals who demonstrate skill in a highly specialized area in which a traditional endorsement is not available. For example, a Limited License may be granted in areas such as dance, computer applications, or underrepresented languages. The individual applying for the license must have special expertise and at least an associate’s degree. They must also be sponsored by an Oregon school district at the time of application, with the district providing a mentor to support the candidate pursuing licensure.
Restricted Career and Technical Educator (CTE) License
Candidates who wish to teach career and technical education courses may be eligible for a Restricted CTE license. The candidate must have at least an associate’s degree and be sponsored by the employing school district. Educators who complete teacher certification requirements in Oregon while holding this license may apply for a renewable Professional CTE license.
Restricted Teaching License
The Restricted Teaching License is designed for those making a late-career change, such as a chemist looking to become a science teacher or a writer looking to become an English teacher. Candidates for this category of teacher certification must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, have substantial preparation (such as work experience) in their teaching area, and be sponsored by a school district. As with the Limited License, the sponsoring school district for a Restricted Transitional License candidate must provide a mentor. While holding this license, candidates must make progress toward completing an approved teacher preparation program, typically a master’s degree from the TSPC-approved programs list.
Testing Requirements for Oregon Alternative Certification
Alternative route teacher licensure in Oregon requires most candidates to pass the same basic exams as traditional route teachers. However, candidates with a master’s or doctoral degree may qualify for waivers for some or all exam requirements. In addition, candidates who apply for transitional licensure may teach in a classroom setting for a limited time while pursuing full certification. The exams typically required of applicants are:
- An acceptable basic skills exam such as the Praxis Core or Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA)
- Subject matter exams for the certification area
For more information about examination requirements, be sure to consult the TSPC website.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Teachers who hold out-of-state teaching licenses or certificates may be eligible for a reciprocal license from the state of Oregon while they fulfill the standard requirements for Oregon licensure, provided that they have completed an educator preparation program and have standard certification in another state. To find out whether you are eligible for teacher certification in the state via one of these alternative routes, see our guide to interstate reciprocity or contact the TSPC.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Oregon
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 nontraditional teacher preparation programs below have been approved by the TSPC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,932 |
| Corban University | AAQEP | Alternative | — | — | — | $21,365 |
| Eastern Oregon University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,436 |
| George Fox University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,589 |
| Lewis & Clark College* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $37,478 |
| Oregon State University-Bend* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,444 |
| Oregon State University-Cascades | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $19,735 |
| Pacific University* | AAQEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $32,006 |
| Portland State University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $12,195 |
| Southern Oregon University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $10,806 |
| University of Oregon | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,646 |
| University of Portland* | AAQEP, CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $37,317 |
| Warner Pacific University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,646 |
| Western Oregon University* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $14,400 |
- — 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 Oregon 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.
- Warner Pacific University (7 months)
- Eastern Oregon University (10 months)
- University of Portland (10 months)
- George Fox University (10.5 months)
- Lewis & Clark College (12 months)
- Oregon State University-Bend (12 months)
- Oregon State University-Cascades (12 months)
- Pacific University (12 months)
- Portland State University (12 months)
- University of Oregon (12 months)
- Western Oregon University (12 months)
Additional Resources
- 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.
- ETS Praxis Oregon Alternate Route: Provides information on testing requirements for alternative route educators.
- Oregon TSPC License Guide: Thorough guidelines and requirements for certification in Oregon.
- Oregon TSPC Preparation and Advancement: Provides detailed information on requirements for teacher licenses.
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide: Provides an overview of requirements for certification via reciprocity by state.
References:
1. Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission: https://www.oregon.gov/tspc/Pages/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/