Want to become a teacher in the great state of Alaska? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in Alaska.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of Alaska also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. The Alaska Department of Education publishes a Directory of Approved Teacher Education Programs. Alaska does not list specific course or semester-hour requirements for an Initial Certificate, but every college or university teacher education program will have elements of its own.

Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curriculum and field experiences. Curriculum typically includes instruction on teaching foundational skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparing students to research, create, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Field experiences often include field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. Check with your teacher education program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

Becoming a licensed teacher requires the completion of specific standardized exams. For an Initial Certificate, Alaska requires that candidates complete the Praxis 1, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, or a comparable foundational competency exam from one of several other U.S. states.

The two main types of teaching licensure used in Alaska are the Initial License and the five-year, renewable, Professional License. To proceed from the Initial to the Professional License, you must teach for at least two years, complete an educator preparation program, and take required courses. There is also a Master Educator License (good for ten years, renewable) available for educators who have earned National Board certification.

Step 3: Submit an Alaska Teaching Credential Application

Once all the steps to Alaska teacher certification are complete, candidates must apply for a license with the following documentation:

• Institutional endorsement for a license from a teacher preparation program official
• Official transcripts verifying that the candidate has obtained a bachelor’s degree from a teacher preparation program
• Completed fingerprint card for background check
• Authentication of passing scores on an acceptable basic competency exam
• Payment of non-refundable fees

Visit the Department of Education & Early Development website for additional information on the application process.