Guide
Alternative Teacher Certification Explained
Alternative teacher certification lets people with a degree in another field become teachers without a traditional education degree. Title II lists 199 alternative routes in 49 states and territories, and 182 let you teach while completing.
Who runs alternative routes
- State agencies: 39
- Colleges and universities: 102
- School districts: 35
- Private organizations: 41
Common requirements
165 routes require a bachelor's degree and 181 require tests. 115 were designed for shortage areas.
Alternative routes by state
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- American Samoa
- Puerto Rico
- Virgin Islands
Frequently asked questions
Can you be a teacher without a teaching degree?
Yes, in many states. 199 alternative routes exist, and most of them require a bachelor's degree in any field rather than in education.
How do I become a teacher without an education degree?
Enroll in an alternative route in your state. Many let you teach on a provisional credential while you complete it.