MEd Alternative Certifications

Master of Education Alternative Certifications

All School of Graduate Studies admission and retention policies must be met if you are pursuing a Master of Education Degree in addition to the Alternative Certification.

Note:  Pursuant to HB 2747 of 2010 amending HB 2915 of the 2002 Oklahoma Legislative Sessions, amending 70 O.S. 2001, Section 6-122.3, East Central University affirms it has an Alternative Placement Certification candidate support program and is committed to implementing the program in support of an Alternative Certification candidate approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

East Central University will admit without further qualifications, and provide an opportunity to complete Standard Certification requirements, any Alternative Certification candidate approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Such candidates will be permitted to take any course(s) the candidate deems necessary or desired to meet standard certification requirements detailed by the OSDE.  The Dean of the College of Education and Psychology will meet with all Alternative Certification candidates to discuss courses available and to assist as necessary in the development of an Individualized Certification Plan.  For Alternative Placement candidates seeking coursework in the Education Department, course pre-requisites must be met but other blocks will be removed.

  1. Apply to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) for admission to the Alternative Placement Program (all applications are online).
     
  2. After you receive your initial letter from the OSDE, schedule a meeting with ECU’s Certification Officer (Dean, College of Education and Psychology).
     
  3. Complete the form “Individualized Certification Plan for Alternative Certification Candidates” AFTER the OSDE has reviewed your application and transcript, and has sent your status letter.

    *Classroom management, teaching skills and reading class are now required for alternative certification.
     
  4. The candidate will have three years to complete OSDE requirements to move the alternative certificate to a standard teaching certificate.

      * Alternative Certification is not available for Early Childhood or Elementary.

Alternative Principal Certification (pdf)

Candidates who seek certification for school principal will follow the process established by the state. According to state statute, the standards for alternative certification for principals shall include: 

  1. The completion of a standard master's degree.
     
  2. Have two (2) years of relevant work experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
     
  3. A passing score on the subject area competency examination; and
     
  4. Filing with the director of teacher education at an Oklahoma accredited institution of higher education a plan for completing an alternative administrative preparation program within three (3) years.

Candidates seeking Alternative Administrator Certification Principal must complete the course requirements.

To get started you must:

  1. Review the Alternative Principal Certification form above.

  2. Apply to the School of Graduate Studies, HERE as a Non-Degree seeking student.

  3. Fill out the application for the Leadership Program.

  4. Complete the Plan of Study for Alternative Certification as School Principal.

  5. After passing the appropriate certification test, complete the application for the alternative certification found on the OSDE website. Submit the Alternative Certification plan, test scores, application for alternative certification and check payable to the OSDE to the ECU Certification Office.

      * Once all of the requirements have been met for a selected program or programs, the State Department of Education will issue an alternative certification for principals.

      * The certificate shall not exceed three (3) years and shall not be renewable.

Alternative School Superintendent Certification (pdf)

Candidates who seek certification for school superintendent will follow the process established by the state. According to state statute, the standards for alternative certification for school superintendent shall include: 

  1. The completion of a standard master's degree.

  2. Have two (2) years of relevant work experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

  3. A passing score on the subject area competency examination; and

  4. Filing with the director of teacher education at an Oklahoma accredited institution of higher education a plan for completing an alternative administrative preparation program within three (3) years.

Candidates seeking Alternative Administrator Certification School Superintendent must complete the course requirements.

To get started you must:

  1. Review the Alternative Superintendent Certification form above.

  2. Apply to the School of Graduate Studies, HERE as a Non-Degree seeking student.

  3. Fill out the application for the Leadership Program.

  4. Complete the Plan of Study for Alternative Certification as School Superintendent.

  5. After passing the appropriate certification test, complete the application for the alternative certification found on the OSDE website. Submit the Alternative Certification plan, test scores, application for alternative certification and check payable to the OSDE to the ECU Certification Office.

      * Once all of the requirements have been met for a selected program or programs, the State Department of Education will issue an alternative certification for principals. 

     * The certificate shall not exceed three (3) years and shall not be renewable.

Non-Traditional Route to Special Education

Note: HB 1233 directs the Oklahoma State Board of Education to issue a one-year provisional certificate to teach in the area of mild-moderate or severe profound disabilities to specifically qualified candidates.  The one-year provisional certificate may be renewed under certain circumstances.  Candidates must have been recommended by a board of education or an accredited institution of higher education, completed a 150-hour special education program and pass a national criminal history record check.  The teacher may renew the provisional certificate two (2) more times if the teacher has completed at least six (6) credit hours per year in a certification program or toward a master’s degree in special education.  The State Board of Education must issue a standard certificate to any individual who has been issued one or more provisional certificates, completes coursework and required examinations for alternative certification or a master’s degree within three (3) years of issuance of the original provisional certificate and completes the subject area competency exam and the OPTE Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam.

Qualifications:

  • Have earned any four-year degree from an Institution of Higher Education holding Regional Accreditation.

  • Have a Grade Point Average of 2.75 or higher from a previous degree program.

  • Have a recommendation from a representative at a school district or Institution of Higher Education.

  • Pass a National Background Check.

  • Commit to complete a master’s degree or certification in special education.

  • Commit to remain with a district for at least three years after earning standard certification in special education.

To get started with the Oklahoma Department of Education:

  1. Complete Boot Camp Candidate Application available on the OSDE website and the ECU Education Website.

  2. Secure a signed Recommendation letter from a representative at a school district or Institution of Higher Education.

  3. Submit an official transcript for undergraduate and or Graduate Degrees (GPA>2.75).

  4. Submit an updated resume.

  5. Submit a copy of your Driver’s License (both sides).

          Submission Address: 
          Dr. Darcy Tessman
          Associate Professor/Program Director of Special Education
          East Central University 
          1100 East 14th
          Ada, Oklahoma 74820                                                                                                                            

If securing the Provisional Certification through ECU, please e-mail the director of Special Education, Dr. Darcy Tessman at dtessman@ecok.edu for specific details.  ECU’s program consists of the aforementioned process plus the following steps to move the provisional certificate to a standard certificate.

To get started with East Central University:

  1. Apply to the School of Graduate Studies, HERE as a Non-Degree seeking student.

  2. Enroll in nine (9) credit hours of boot camp courses (150 clock hours) plus thirty (30) hours of field experiences.

  3. After completing this first step, ECU will complete a letter to the OSDE stating that you have fulfilled the requirements for the Provisional Certificate.  Since our only special education certification program is mild/moderate, we are recommending our candidates for this provisional certificate only.

  4. After receiving the initial provisional certificate from the OSDE (Oklahoma State Department of Education), the candidate must complete six (6) additional credit hours per year in Special Education courses for two (2) years following the initial provisional. After these courses have been posted on a traditional transcript, ECU Certification Office will send a letter to the OSDE verifying the fulfillment of that requirement.  This is necessary to maintain the provisional certificate.  Candidates are responsible for contacting the OSDE certification office and to provide an official transcript.

  5. When registering for the second provisional certificate, follow the preceding steps.

  6. When registering for the third provisional certificate, submit your official transcript to the ECU Certification Office.  The Certification Office will send a final letter to the OSDE verifying the fulfillment of all requirements for the Standard Certificate via the Non-Traditional Path required by HB1233.  At this time the appropriate certification exams must have been successfully completed.

Financial Aid Regulations for Graduate Students

Students, please be advised that the courses you choose to enroll in MUST be a required course or an elective course in your degree program. Financial Aid regulations dictate that any graduate student who is seeking financial aid must be enrolled in AT LEAST five (5) credit hours during the fall, spring, or summer semester and the courses MUST be in the degree program.

*Certificate Programs do not qualify for financial aid.