US territory

How to become a teacher in Puerto Rico

Prep providers

Completers

1,365

Newly licensed

847

Colleges (IPEDS)

129

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. Puerto Rico has 34 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Apply to Puerto Rico Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Regular Certification.
Career changers can use one of 26 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Puerto Rico teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Puerto Rico

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
Caribbean University - Recinto de Bayamon	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	595	513
Caribbean University - Recinto de Carolina	Traditional	17	1
Caribbean University - Recinto de Ponce	Traditional	27	1
Caribbean University - Recinto de Vega Baja	Traditional	21	1
Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	16	16
Dewey University, Recinto Hato Rey	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	163	15
Dewey University, Recinto Manati	Traditional	52	5
Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico	Traditional	13	6
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Arecibo	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	97	7
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez	Traditional	23	6
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	175	13
Universidad Adventista de las Antillas	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	85	8
Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Recinto Carolina	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	188	10
Universidad Central de Bayamón	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	180	19
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Aguadilla	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	110	20
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	173	26
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Bayamon	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	318	42
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Cayey	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	218	30
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Humacao	Traditional	126	16
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayaguez	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	260	122
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	92	13
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	654	122
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	74	20
Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo (Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez)	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	1,392	110
Universidad dePuerto Rico, Recinto Carolina	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	28	0
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Aguadilla	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	103	7
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	752	59
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Barranquitas	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	43	4
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Fajardo	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	20	20
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Guayama	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	41	4
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	77	7
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de San Germán	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	238	46
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Metropolitano	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	116	50
Universidad Metropolitana , Cupey (Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez)	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	532	26

About teacher preparation in Puerto Rico

The PRDE home page, which can be accessed at http://www.de.pr.gov in the sections: "DE digital Académico", "Secretaría Auxiliar de Recursos Humanos" and "Programa de Experiencias Clinicas Educativas" has sections and information relevant to the STRC. These sections: include policies and regulations related to teacher certification, effective teachers, and professional development, in that order. They are available through documents such as circular letters, memoranda, manuals, and regulatory statutes. Links in this report connect to those policies and regulations.