Office of Certification and Teacher Quality
Director: Louise Kaltenbaugh, Ph.D.
Staff: Tanisca Wilson, Ph.D., Coordinator of Certification & Education Programs
Office: Lake Campus Multipurpose Complex (LCMC), Building B Room 317
Phone: (504) 284-5019 or (504) 286-5087
Email: lkaltenbaugh@suno.edu; twilson@suno.edu
Under the CoEHD, the Office of Certification and Teacher Quality offers a Certification-only Alternate Path to Certification teacher program for degreed students who wish to prepare for positions as early childhood, elementary or secondary school teachers. The early childhood education program prepares students to teach in grades PK-3. The program in elementary education prepares candidates to teach in grades 1-5. The program in secondary education prepares candidates to teach in grades 6-12. The secondary 6-12 programs are in Biology, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Two All-Level K-12 programs are offered in Art and Health and Physical Education.
Students who have earned undergraduate degrees in areas other than education may pursue teacher certification as non-degree students through the CoEHD by completing education courses required for certification plus necessary specialty course requirements. Students who are seeking teacher certification should apply to the CoEHD for admission to the Alt-Cert Program. Before applying for admission to the CoEHD, interested students must first apply to the Office of Admissions for admission to Southern University at New Orleans.
The Certification-Only Program provides opportunities for individuals with non-teaching degrees to become certified public school teachers. Candidates for admission must have an earned Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited institution. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4.0 scale) is also required. Students must pass PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 (all parts) and PRAXIS II (Content Area) with scores approved by the Louisiana Department of Education prior to enrolling in the program.
Eligibility for Certification-Only Program Alternate Path to Certification
The goal of the Certification-Only Program is to recruit the most qualified individuals to teach students; therefore, the admissions decisions are based on a review of past academic and professional performance. The minimum qualifications for admission to the Alt-Cert Program include the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree with an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Passing scores on PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 (score requirements: Reading =176; Writing =175; Mathematics =175). An ACT composite score of 22 or an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1030 may be substituted for the PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 requirements. If any part of PRAXIS I has been taken (whether or not a passing score was achieved), the ACT/SAT option is forfeited. Individuals with a Master’s Degree are exempted from the PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 requirement.
- Passing scores on the appropriate PRAXIS II subject area exam. The test is offered seven (7) times per year. Candidates may register online or print a paper registration form by visiting the PRAXIS website at www.ets.org/PRAXIS.
- Candidates are required to take and pass PRAXIS II, Principles of Learning and Teaching, prior to enrolling in the Internship II.
- PRAXIS required exams and/or test scores may change; always refer to the Teach Louisiana website (http://www.teachlouisiana.net) to verify the Louisiana requirements regarding PRAXIS Exams and Scores.
To apply for the Certification-Only Program, the following documents must be submitted:
- An application for admission to Southern University at New Orleans and evidence of acceptance
- An application to the CoEHD for admission to the Certification-Only Alternative Path to Certification Program
- A completed Applicant Survey form
- A typed personal statement addressing the following questions:
- Why do you want to teach in an urban environment?
- How will you use your previous experiences to ensure high academic achievement for your students?
- A current resume, including work experience, leadership roles, community involvement, and past education/training
- Two (2) official transcripts from each college/university attended
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional contacts
- Official copy of PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 and PRAXIS II scores
- Clean criminal background check
- Upon entering the Certification-Only Program, Alternative Path to Certification candidates must complete an eighty (80) hour “Classroom Readiness Training” workshop. The workshop is designed to be completed in four modules: (1) classroom environment; (2) classroom management; (3) instructional design; and (4) instructional delivery.
- Exemption may be granted if candidate is able to provide proof of having taught for one calendar year.
- The Classroom Readiness Training is a State-Mandated requirement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates who have not taken and passed PRAXIS I/Core Academic Skills for Educators effective: 9/1/14 (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) and PRAXIS II (Content Area) are ineligible for admission to the Certification-Only Program.
Program of Study Leading to
Alternative Teacher Certification
In Early Childhood Education (PK-3)
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
| Course # |
Title |
Credit Hrs. |
| ECED-470N |
Student Teaching |
9 |
| EDUC-480N |
Student Teaching Seminar |
3 |
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Program of Study Leading to
Alternative Teacher Certification
In Elementary Education (1-5)
| Course # |
Title |
Credit Hrs. |
| EDUC-230N |
Child Psychology |
3 |
| EDUC-275N |
Multicultural Education |
3 |
| EDUC-310N |
Education Psychology |
3 |
| EDUC-315N |
Diverse Learners |
3 |
| EDUC-466N |
Methods and Materials for Teaching Science and Mathematics in Elementary Schools |
3 |
| EDUC-467N |
Methods and Materials for Teaching English/Language Arts and Social Studies in Elementary Schools |
3 |
| ELED-332N |
Elementary Reading Methods |
3 |
| ELED-352N |
Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading |
3 |
| EDUC-441N |
Reading Practicum |
3 |
| ELED-498N |
Internship I |
3 |
| ELED-499N |
Internship II |
3 |
|
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED |
33 |
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
| Course # |
Title |
Credit Hrs. |
| ELED-470N |
Student Teaching |
9 |
| EDUC-480N |
Student Teaching Seminar |
3 |
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
Secondary Education-Biology
-OR-
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
Secondary Education-English
-OR-
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
Secondary Education-Mathematics
-OR-
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
Secondary Education-Social Studies
-OR-
-OR-
Candidates who are employed by a school district may opt to complete three years of teaching experience in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) AND provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
All-Level K-12 Art Education
-OR-
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.
Certification-Only Program
Alternative Path to Certification
All-Level K-12, Health and Physical Education
-OR-
Candidates may opt to enroll in a yearlong student teaching/seminar in place of the two-semester internship. These students will enroll in the following courses:
-OR-
Candidates who have three consecutive years of teaching experience, at time of admission to the Certification-Only Program, in the appropriate subject field and the appropriate grade level(s) and provide proof of receiving satisfactory ratings from the school district’s administration may use these criteria to satisfy the Internship requirements.