Without a degree in education, the multi-year pathway to teaching can be intimidating. But several in-person and online programs in Oklahoma support a career transition into public education.
Through Oklahoma’s Alternative Placement Programs, professionals without a teaching degree can be certified to teach in accredited schools across the state. It gets teachers in the classroom for three years with a provisional certificate, allowing them to build up the experience needed for a full, standard license. More than 2,700 provisional certificates were issued by the Oklahoma Department of Education last year.
“Teachers change the lives of children and the daily work of being a teacher is incredibly important and impactful. It’s joyful,” said Stephanie Hathcock, an associate professor in
Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences at Oklahoma State University. “The more training you receive for that type of position, the more confident you can be, the more you feel that you can make a difference.”
Rates of alternative placement still lag behind emergency certificates, a stopgap measure that bypasses testing and training requirements to help school districts fill roles quickly. Nearly 4,500 emergency certificates were issued last year. Alternative certification requires time and hundreds of dollars.
“One of the biggest things we can do is try to scholarship, try to put money toward that,” said Hathcock. “It is expensive to go through coursework and we want to have as many people as possible in classrooms who have training and who want to be there.”
Here’s how to find your way to the classroom and where to get support.
Provisional certification process
There are four non-traditional options for teaching certification in Oklahoma. The largest, alternative placement, spans 20 subject areas from preschool to high school. Others are more specialized for early childhood or special education classrooms.
Each generally follows this process.
- Check your eligibility. You must have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA and qualified work experience for alternative placement. Other pathways require classroom experience before starting the process.
- Apply for the program. Submit your application through the Oklahoma Educator Credential System for a $50 fee. This requires a resume and official transcripts from all higher education institutions.
- Subject area test. Once approved for the program, schedule a test in the subject area you’ve been approved for. Costs vary from $65 to 155, but most assessments are $118. They can be taken in-person or online. You can request accommodations. Study guides can be found here.
- Apply for a provisional certificate. After passing your test, apply for a provisional certificate. This requires a background check and another $50 fee. It allows you to teach for three years while meeting program requirements like college classes, classroom experience and another assessment of your professional knowledge that costs between $145 and $300.
- Apply for a standard certificate. After meeting the requirements of your program in the three-year window, apply for a standard certificate. This requires transcripts, another $50 fee and a district letter verifying your professional development. Your new license will last for five years.
Tulsa Teacher Corps
Deadline to apply: Friday, May 1, 2026
Must haves: Bachelor’s degree, minimum 2.5 GPA, district employment requirements, willingness to teach at Tulsa Public Schools.
For tuition assistance navigating the provisional certification process and entering education, Tulsa Public Schools hosts a six-week program over the summer from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Once completed, participants can begin teaching with a full salary and benefits at TPS or another district as they work toward standard certification. Then, participants receive training and mentorship over two years as they transition into the classroom.
The corps has trained nearly 500 people so far, according to the district, and 136 have earned a standard teaching certificate.
Oklahoma State University graduate certificate
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Must haves: Bachelor’s degree, 2.5 GPA.
OSU offers a 16-week, fully online graduate certificate to support alternative certification. It provides the coursework needed for a permanent license in grades 1-8.
The 15-credit hour program costs around $8,000 for in-state students and more than $9,000 for out-of-state students, but an accelerated program offers similar support and training at a reduced cost.
The graduate college application costs $50 and requires transcripts, a resume, goal statement, test scores and two to four letters of recommendation.
University of Oklahoma teacher certification program
Deadlines: For spring, before the third week of March. For fall, before the third week of October.
Must haves: Bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA.
OU offers the coursework needed for a permanent license through its College of Education, after admission to the state alternative certification program and successful test completion.
Hourly tuition and fees at the graduate level costs $401 for in-state students and $1,120 for out-of-state students.
The application requires a 750-word essay, interview and transcripts. According to OU, 100% of program graduates seeking jobs as teachers are hired.
Northeastern State University ACE Institute
Deadlines: For spring, before the third week of March. For fall, before the third week of October.
Must haves: Bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA.
NSU operates the Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) Institute, providing fully online programs throughout the year for aspiring educators. Classes are offered in a four-week, eight-week and 16-week format.
Depending on the pathway, tuition and fees range from $2,200 to $6,600. The institute offers scholarships and financial aid to some participants.
It costs $25 to apply through the graduate college as an undeclared, non-degree-seeking student.
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