Alternative Certification
Program Details
Teach St. Louis’s Alternative Certification Program provides a rigorous and supportive pathway for teachers leading classrooms in our partner schools to earn their initial teaching certification. Through a carefully sequenced series of academic coursework, partnered with differentiated instructional coaching, participants will build the skills and knowledge they’ll need for a successful career in the classroom.
Year 1
Induction
Coursework begins in July. Teach St. Louis participants train as part of a cohort – a peer group that provides ongoing support and collaboration throughout the program. In the summer session, you will meet the members of your cohort and spend time preparing for a successful start to the academic year.
Coursework and Practice
Throughout the first year, you’ll attend Master’s degree coursework designed to help you make connections between your work in the classroom and the latest in education theory and practice. These classes focus on the skills you need to build a culture of care and support in your classroom and deliver rigorous and engaging instruction. Teach St. Louis coursework also incorporates weekly, structured practice and role plays, ensuring that you’re prepared to execute effectively and engage learners. Coursework is designed to meet the needs of a lead-teacher, and is facilitated in hybrid, asynchronous, and in-person formats.
Certification
At the end of the first year, Teach St. Louis recommends candidates for initial certification with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Year 2
Master’s Coursework
In Year 2, participants continue coursework leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) through our university partner, Washington University in St. Louis. To read more about our university partnership, visit the MATL website. Throughout the second year, you’ll receive support and coaching from Teach St. Louis, designed to help you become an effective teacher.
Who We Seek
We seek diverse candidates who believe that all students are capable of achieving ambitious goals and outcomes. Alternative Certification applicants must currently be staffed in a lead-teaching role with a Teach St. Louis partner school, and have a deep desire to improve their craft, while earning their teaching certification and a Master’s degree.
What We Offer
At Teach St. Louis we believe that great teachers thrive in a joyful professional community that encourages critical feedback and reflection. We offer candidates the opportunity to complete their certification with a cohort of equally committed and talented peers who provide support and collaborative learning throughout the program. As a Teach St. Louis participant, you’ll receive targeted instructional coaching that will tailor your program experience to your work in your classroom.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, all candidates must demonstrate these qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree conferred prior to program start
Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (or provide additional context on your GPA to be considered)
Commitment to work in their partner school or district for at least two years
At least one year of teaching experience in a partner school or district
The demonstrated ability to develop a classroom culture that supports student learning
Passing score on the state content assessment required for licensure (Praxis) by Summer 2026
Note that to be considered for a middle or high school content area (math, science, or ELA), candidates must meet one of our qualification pathways:
Degree in a related content area
At least 15 post-secondary credit hours in a related content area
Significant work or volunteer experience in the content area
Demonstrated passion or expertise in the content area
Additional information about the certification process in Missouri can be found on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
Program Finances
Program Costs
The total cost of tuition for the 2025-26 alternative certification program was $15,840.
Through our partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, tuition is currently set at $440 per credit hour for the 36-credit program. (Please note that tuition increases may occur on an annual basis, dependent upon university policies).
Financial Aid
For the Master’s degree, all participants are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant. The TEACH Grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Education and residents may use it to cover $8,000 of their Master's degree tuition.
There are additional financial support opportunities available:
For eligible residents, our BEI grant provides an additional $8,000 in tuition forgiveness. More details can be found on our BEI page.
Candidates can utilize federal financial aid in the form of unsubsidized federal student loans accessed through WashU’s financial aid office.
Interview & Selection Process
Our application window opens in October and continues through the following spring. The Alternative Certification program begins in July.
1. Online Application
To apply online, you will be asked to submit:
Academic history, including GPA
Resume
An unofficial transcript
Responses to three short-answer questions.
2. Phone Interview
Within a week of submitting your online application, Teach St. Louis will reach out to let you know if you qualify for the second stage of the selection process, the phone interview. The phone interview allows us to get-to-know you and provides an opportunity for you to find out more about our program.
3. Selection Day and Interview
Qualifying candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person selection day. You will teach a short sample lesson, meet the Teach St. Louis team, and participate in a panel interview and group discussion. Candidates will be notified of their acceptance within one week.
4. Classroom Observation
Following the Selection Day, a member of the Teach St. Louis team will schedule a classroom observation. This provides our team with the opportunity to see your current work in the classroom. Following this step in the interview process, candidates will be notified of their acceptance within one week.
Application
Applications for our 2026 cohort are open! Apply by November 24th to be eligible for early admission!
Interested in learning more about our alternative certification program and preparing for our early application window? Complete an interest form to connect with a member of our talent team!