Utah 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 the award of a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Utah. Otherwise, read more about these alternative routes below.

Table of Contents

• Utah 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

The basic requirement to earn alternative teacher certification in Utah is a bachelor’s degree. There are exceptions to the bachelor’s degree requirement in selected career and technical education subjects. Candidates must also take the state’s required exams for educators and complete additional education, which may be a licensure-only program, a certificate, or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Utah

Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL)

Teacher candidates with a bachelor’s degree may complete Utah’s Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL) program. To enroll as a candidate in an APPEL program, an individual needs to be employed in a Utah school district or charter school that has a partnership with an approved APPEL program. Once approved, an individualized Professional Learning Plan (PLP) of teacher preparation coursework is developed to outline the requirements for licensure based on the candidate’s background. The Praxis content area exam for the desired endorsement area must be passed for certification. Teacher candidates using the APPEL must teach for at least one year and have up to three years to complete the program. Upon completion of the PLP, candidates earn a Professional Educator License.

In Utah, prospective career and technical education (CTE) teachers typically follow the APPEL pathway. Instead of a bachelor’s degree, candidates must have work experience and industry certification, if available, in the CTE subject to be taught. APPEL programs in elementary education, secondary education, and CTE are administered by local school districts, charter schools, consortiums of districts, and charter schools. APPEL programs in special education and preschool special education are administered by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). For detailed information based on subject area, visit the USBE website.

Testing Requirements for Utah Alternative Certification

Utah has adopted the Praxis Series for prospective teachers. Some teacher preparation programs may require students to pass the Praxis exams before beginning program coursework. All future educators in Utah must pass the Praxis subject area test in their content area before being certified.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Out-of-state certified teachers may be eligible for Utah licensure. Applications are reviewed individually. Those with less than three years of experience in another state may be eligible for an initial license and must complete the Entry Years Enhancement (EYE) supervised ePortfolio program to upgrade to a standard professional license. For further details, refer to our guide to teaching certificate reciprocity or the USBE.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Utah

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 TEA 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.

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Utah 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. Southern Utah University (12 months)
2. Utah State University (12 months)
3. Utah Valley University (12 months)
4. Weber State University (12 months)
5. Westminster University (12 months)

Additional Resources

• Utah Alternative Routes to Licensure: Overview of the pathways to earning teacher certification in Utah, with requirements for each.
• Utah Career and Technical Education: Provides information for prospective and current career and technical educators in the state.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
• Utah Traditional Teacher Certification Guide

References:
1. Utah State Board of Education: https://www.schools.utah.gov/
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/