Alternative Routes to Licensure
Frequently Asked Question
-
Can I earn a teaching license through the Alternative Routes program before I find a teaching position?
No. Candidates apply to the program and if found eligible must obtain employment before participating in the Alternative Routes program. Demonstrating teaching competency by receiving successful evaluations from the school principal is a primary requirement for licensure. Therefore, participants must first be employed in a licensed teaching position. Completing course work, taking applicable tests, and working with a trained mentor are additional licensure requirements. -
Does my application require an official transcript sent directly from my university?
No. Alternative Routes to Licensure prefers that candidates do not have transcripts sent directly from universities. Transcripts should accompany applications with appropriate fees and be sent to ARL by the applicant. The transcript needs to be original (no photocopies) but does not need to be official (sealed). -
Is funding available from the state to pay for the required course work?
The Utah State Office of Education does not receive general funding to assist ARL participants earn a teaching license. However, there is funding available in the critical areas of mathematics, science and information technology. The Utah Mathematics Endorsement Program offers financial assistance to elementary teachers in grades 4, 5, and 6 who are earning a mathematics endorsement. Assistance is also available for secondary mathematics and science teachers through the Public Education Job Enhancement Program. For information on these programs, please contact Clara [dot] Walters [at] schools [dot] utah [dot] gov (Clara Walters) (801) 538-7616. -
Will the ARL program help me find a teaching position?
Eligible candidates who have completed the background check receive a letter of qualification from Alternative Routes to Licensure. The letter of qualification is addressed to human resource directors and states what the candidate is eligible to teach and that the candidate will participate in the Alternative Routes program to earn a license. This letter is intended to be given to human resource directors as the candidate searches for a licensed teaching position. -
How do I obtain a teaching position?
Most school districts have a website which lists employment opportunities. Candidates should also check the district’s website or contact the district’s human resource office to determine each district’s procedure for applying and interviewing for teaching positions. Many districts require the candidate to be interviewed and screened by a district administrator prior to interviewing with school principals. Candidates seeking employment in charter schools or accredited private or parochial schools may contact principals, headmasters, or school directors directly. Recruiting in most districts and private schools occurs from April through early summer for the next school year. -
Can I earn a teaching license if I am hired by a private school?
Yes, if the private school has been accredited by the state or a state-approved accrediting organization. ARL does not license pre-school teachers, however, because these positions do not require a license in Utah. -
How many classes do I need to take in order to get my license?
All Professional Growth Plans are individualized, based upon an evaluation of each participant’s transcript. There are a maximum of six teacher preparation (pedagogy) courses in addition to any required content courses. A Professional Growth Plan is developed only after a candidate is hired and pays the requisite program development and tracking fee. There are four additional methods courses for elementary education participants and five for early childhood. -
If I am a secondary education candidate, can I teach courses outside my major field if I can show course work in those areas on my transcript?
No. To earn an initial licensure through the Alternative Routes program, candidates are only eligible to be hired and to earn a license and endorsement in the area of their degree major. After an initial license has been earned through the ARL program, however, a participant may earn additional endorsements that can be attached to the secondary license. -
If I want to teach elementary school, but I do not have a degree in elementary education, can I qualify for the ARL program?
Possibly. Applicants with degree majors other than early childhood or elementary education may qualify for Alternative Routes to Licensure, if their transcripts show a broad spectrum of liberal arts content courses. ARL will qualify candidates for early childhood or elementary education, if the transcript shows a minimum of 27 content credit dispersed among the following elementary education curriculum areas:
- Up to Six (6) semester content credits in science (e.g. biology, chemistry, geology, physics, etc.)
- Up to Nine (9) semester content credits in mathematics (e.g. Mathematics 1010 or higher.)
- Up to Nine (9) semester content credits in reading/language arts (e.g. composition, literature, etc.)
- Up to Nine (9) semester content credits in social studies (e.g. history, government, geography, etc.)
- Up to Three (3) semester content credits in fine arts (music, art, drama, dance)
- Up to Two (2) semester content credits in physical education and health (applicable to Elementary Ed.)
In documenting the 27 minimum credits, all categories must be represented. No category may be empty. No grades lower than “C” can be counted. (See the sample transcript review and worksheet on the ELIGIBILITY page). -
If I want to teach elementary school, but I don’t have any math courses on my transcript because my ACT scores were high, and I was exempted from taking mathematics, what can I do to qualify?
Candidates for an Elementary Education or Early Childhood license who were exempted from university math courses because of high ACT scores may capture credit for math 1010 by providing ARL with a copy of their ACT test showing a score of 23 or higher. To obtain a copy of your ACT scores, contact ACT at www.act.org. If your university required the SAT your math score must be 546 or higher. To obtain SAT scores see www.collegeboard.com. -
I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree. Can I apply to Alternative Routes to Licensure and take ARL courses while finishing my degree?
No. Candidates for Alternative Routes to Licensure must already have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in order to apply to and participate in the program. Verification is determined by a transcript which shows the degree, degree major, and the date conferred. -
What are the areas of teacher shortage in Utah?
Currently, the areas of critical shortage in Utah are secondary mathematics and science and all areas of special education (K-12), elementary education, and kindergarten. -
How many participants are working toward a license through the ARL program?
As of January 2008, Alternative Routes to Licensure is working with approximately 500 hired participants. - How many ARL applicants actually find a teaching job?
During 2007, Alternative Routes to Licensure accepted approximately 663 applications. Of those applicants, 313 found teaching positions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO LICENSURE, COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK THROUGH LIVESCAN. REGISTER ONLINE AT www.utah.gov/teachers. YOUR APPLICATION CANNOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE BACKGROUND CHECK HAS CLEARED THROUGH THE UTAH STATE OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
| << Back |
