ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Your choice to become a classroom teacher—whether you become a general education, special education, or bilingual/ESL teacher—is an important one. If you are interested in an alternative approach to teaching certification, earning your Illinois teaching certificate or have other goals in education, contact NTEC to find out how we can help you get started.

The Alternative Certification Track of the M.S. Ed. Program allows you to enter the classroom as a full-time teacher after one (1) semester of coursework, earn your teaching license after your first year of teaching, and then earn your Master of Science in Education from Quincy University in as few as five (5) semesters.

The program is organized into three (3) parts: Jump Start, Apprenticeship, and Master’s Completion.

All classes in the alternative teaching certification program are offered in an online, blended format. Face-to-face sessions meet off campus at convenient locations near you. After each face-to-face session, there is additional online work to complete.

Learn how you can become a teacher through NTEC's Alternative Certification Program »

The alternative teaching certification program is designed to allow you to work while you earn your certification and master’s degree. During the Jump Start semester, courses are offered in the evening so you can maintain your current employment. During the remainder of the program, you will work as a full-time paid teacher.

The salary schedules for most districts allow you to earn a raise once you have completed your master’s degree.

Contact NTEC today to find out more about our alternative approach to earning a teaching license.

All students are eligible to apply for financial aid.