The South Dakota Department of Education offers alternative certification for those who have a bachelor’s degree but have not been prepared in the traditional method, but wish to teach.
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in South Dakota.
Currently, the following Alternative Route to Certification programs are offered in the state:
Grand Canyon University - Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs
For those seeking licensure or looking to enter the field of education for the first time, but with a degree in a field other than education, GCU has initial programs that lead to licensure and programs that do not lead to licensure.
USC Rossier Master of Arts in Teaching Online — No GRE *
Purdue Global University - offering Bachelors and Masters programs
From master’s degrees to teacher-certification pathways, Purdue Global University offers flexible online education programs to help you pursue a career in teaching, enhance your current skills, or advance in your education career.*
For all Alternative Route to Certification programs, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a content area and a 2.5 GPA. Some programs require additional hours of education. See this chart for details.
For all Alternative Route to Certification programs, you must pass the Praxis II exam in your content area prior to enrollment in the program. At the end of the program, you must pass the Praxis Pedagogy exam for your area.
For most South Dakota Alternative Route to Certification programs, no teaching experience is required. Check with the program in which you are interested for more information.
All applicants to Alternative Route to Certification programs must undergo a criminal background check. This will be started at your employing school district. After your fingerprints are taken, they are run through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Your school will give you information on how to go about this process.
For more information on the State Alternative Route to Certification program, contact the South Dakota Department of Education Office of Teacher Quality at certification@state.sd.us or 605-773-3134.
If you wish further information on NPTT, call 406-994-5662 or email nptt@montana.edu.
For more information on Troops to Teachers, call 406-587-7586 or email northernttt@gmail.com.
For more information on Teach for America, call 605-856-4359.
If you wish to find out about the Certification Only plan, contact the South Dakota Department of Education Office of Teacher Quality at certification@state.sd.us or 605-773-3134.
For more information on Project Select, email NancyWhitcher@bhsu.edu.