Becoming a certified educator in Louisiana does not require a college degree specifically in education. This pathway is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field but wish to transition their expertise into a classroom setting. The state’s alternative certification programs offer a structured route to obtain a teaching license efficiently. This process prioritizes content knowledge and practical, on-the-job training to address the state’s need for highly competent teachers.
Establishing the Foundational Requirement
Becoming a teacher “without a degree” means the individual does not need a specific education degree. A foundational requirement for all alternative routes is holding a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This degree must be in a content area relevant to the subject the candidate intends to teach, such as History for Social Studies certification.
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) sets a minimum academic standard for entry into these programs. Candidates must generally hold at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on their undergraduate coursework to be eligible for most alternative pathways.
Overview of Louisiana Alternative Certification Pathways
Louisiana offers several non-traditional routes to certification managed through state-approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). These EPPs are typically housed within universities or offered by specialized certification organizations. The most common route is the Practitioner Teacher Program (PTP), designed for candidates to teach full-time while completing their requirements.
Other options include a Master’s Degree program, which combines graduate study with teacher preparation, or a Certification-Only Program for those seeking coursework without a degree commitment or immediate full-time placement. All pathways function as comprehensive training structures that lead to the same professional teaching license.
Detailed Steps for the Practitioner Teacher Program
The Practitioner Teacher Program (PTP) is the most frequent alternative route, offering a structured path to certification while working as a paid teacher. The initial step is gaining acceptance into an approved PTP provider, which may require an interview. Once accepted, candidates must secure a full-time teaching position as the Teacher of Record in a Louisiana public or approved private school.
Program Structure
The PTP involves intensive professional coursework that runs concurrently with the candidate’s full-time teaching responsibilities. This coursework focuses on pedagogy, classroom management, instructional design, and meeting diverse learning needs, totaling 27 to 33 credit hours depending on the certification area. Candidates must maintain continuous enrollment and successfully complete a minimum of six semester hours of coursework each year.
The program includes a structured residency with mentorship from an experienced teacher, providing guidance during the critical first year. The PTP is designed to be completed within approximately two years, allowing the candidate to gain practical experience while fulfilling all academic requirements.
Required Examinations and Assessments
All candidates pursuing alternative certification must successfully pass a set of standardized examinations. The first required tests are the Praxis Subject Assessments, also known as the Content Knowledge exams. These subject-specific tests demonstrate proficiency in the area the candidate wishes to teach, such as High School Mathematics. Passing the relevant Content Knowledge exam is often a prerequisite for formal admission or for obtaining the initial authorization to teach.
The second major assessment is the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam, which measures a candidate’s pedagogical knowledge and understanding of professional practices. The PLT is typically taken toward the end of the alternative certification program, after the candidate has completed most professional coursework. Successful completion of both the Content Knowledge and the PLT exams is required for the final recommendation for certification.
Securing Employment and Initial Authorization
Securing a teaching position is a crucial step, often prerequisite for formal enrollment in the Practitioner Teacher Program. Upon being hired, the candidate must apply for a provisional license called the Temporary Authorization to Teach (TAT). The employing school district initiates the request for the TAT, verifying that the position is in an area of demonstrated need. The TAT is a one-year license that permits the candidate to serve as the full-time Teacher of Record while actively completing the requirements of their approved program.
To qualify for the TAT, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement, and clear a background check. The provisional license can be renewed annually for up to three years, provided the candidate demonstrates continuous progress toward full certification. This progress typically includes remaining enrolled in the approved program and attempting the required certification exams.
Transitioning to Professional Certification
Once a candidate successfully completes all components of their alternative certification program, the final step is transitioning to a full professional license. The approved program provider recommends the candidate to the LDOE for initial licensure. The candidate must have completed all required coursework, satisfied residency requirements, and successfully passed all mandatory Praxis exams. The LDOE then issues the Level 1 Professional Certificate, which is the entry-level license for fully certified teachers in Louisiana.
The Level 1 Professional Certificate is valid for three years. To advance to the Level 2 Professional Certificate, the educator must teach successfully for a minimum of three years in their certified area. Maintaining certification requires the completion of continuing education units (CEUs) or other professional development requirements.