Rhode Island Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
In an effort to fill teacher shortage areas, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has implemented alternative pathways to teacher certification in Rhode Island. 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. These pathways provide an alternative to traditional licensure, helping career changers transition into teaching roles. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, be sure to visit our guide to traditional certification in Rhode Island. Continue reading to learn more about alternative teacher certification in Rhode Island.
Table of Contents
- Rhode Island 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
For most alternative routes to teacher certification in Rhode Island, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and should have at least a “B” average (or a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) while studying as an undergraduate. Rhode Island’s alternative teacher certification pathways also require candidates to complete an approved alternate educator preparation program. These programs may lead to a post-graduate certificate or master’s degree in teaching, education, or a teachable subject, depending on the curriculum. Finally, candidates must take the Praxis Subject Test for their content area.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Rhode Island
The alternative pathways available include options with preliminary certification, allowing candidates to teach while completing the requirements for full licensure. These pathways offer flexibility for candidates with differing education and experience backgrounds. You can find detailed information about these programs on the RIDE website.
Alternate Route Preliminary Certificate
The Alternate Route Preliminary Certificate is for candidates with a bachelor’s degree who did not attend a teacher preparation program. Under this pathway, candidates attend an approved alternate educator preparation program to qualify for certification. To qualify for admission to an alternate educator preparation program, candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level or an equivalent GPA through 24 semester hours of graduate study. Candidates must also have an employment offer from a Rhode Island school district to teach as an educator of record before applying for the certificate. Candidates must complete the preparation program, teach for at least one year, and pass the state-mandated exams for prospective educators before qualifying for full certification.
Career and Technical Education Preliminary Certificate
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Preliminary Certificate is for those who wish to teach CTE subjects in the secondary grades. Candidates must have at least a high school diploma and at least five years of work experience in the relevant CTE area. If the subject requires occupational licensing, candidates must hold the appropriate Rhode Island license. Those who meet these requirements must enroll in an alternative teacher preparation program and complete the program plus at least one year of teaching to qualify for full initial teacher certification. For the Full Initial Certificate, candidates must also pass the Praxis Subject Test (or its equivalent, if available in the subject area) and the Praxis Learning and Teaching (PLT) test. Candidates with an advanced state-issued license or industry certificate in the subject area may be exempt.
Expert Residency Preliminary Certificate
The Expert Residency Preliminary Certificate is an option for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and expertise in a given content area who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. The qualifications for expertise vary by content area but typically require at least a major in the subject the candidate wishes to teach and a minimum score on the related Praxis Subject Test. Candidates hired by a school district may teach under the preliminary certificate while meeting the requirements for full certification, which include attending an approved alternate educator preparation program or an equivalent program of study approved by RIDE. Those who complete these requirements are eligible for full initial teacher certification.
Testing Requirements for Rhode Island Alternative Certification
Rhode Island requires prospective educators to take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam and the Praxis Subject Test for each endorsement area. Depending on the pathway, candidates may be expected to take these exams before or after submitting their application for an alternative pathway. Be sure to consult RIDE for the requirements of your intended route.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Rhode Island offers reciprocity for experienced teachers with out-of-state certification, provided they meet specific qualifications. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and have completed a teacher preparation program approved by the education board in the state where the program is located. Candidates who meet all requirements except Praxis testing may be issued a Temporary Initial Educator Preliminary Certificate. For more information on reciprocity, see our guide to interstate reciprocity or the RIDE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Rhode Island
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 RIDE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $27,659 |
| Johnson & Wales University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,560 |
| Providence College* | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $37,284 |
| Rhode Island College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $10,557 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $40,048 |
| University of Rhode Island | AAQEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,386 |
- — 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 Rhode Island 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.
- Brown University (12 months)
- Rhode Island School of Design (12 months)
- Providence College (18 months)
Additional Resources
- Rhode Island Approved Educator Preparation Programs: Directory of educator preparation programs approved in Rhode Island.
- RIDE Pathways to Certification: Comprehensive information on all recognized pathways to certification in Rhode Island.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Rhode Island Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Rhode Island State Department of Education: https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-administrators/educator-certification
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/