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 classes 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, you’ll continue coursework with our university partner, Washington University in St. Louis, leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) at the end of year two. To read more about our university partnership visit the MATL website here. LINK. 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

Note that to be considered for a middle or high school placement (math, science, or ELA), candidates must meet one of our qualification pathways: 

  1. Degree in a related content area

  2. At least 15 post-secondary credit hours in a related content area

  3. Significant work or volunteer experience in the content area 

  4. 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 alternative certification program over two years of coursework is $16,000.

This includes $8,000 in tuition for the certification coursework facilitated by Teach St. Louis in year one of the program. The total cost also includes an estimated $8,000 in tuition for the Master of Arts in Teaching & Learning (MATL) from Washington University in year two of the program. The MATL tuition is offered at a significantly discounted rate to Teach STL residents, and covers 21 credit hours.

Financial Aid

For the Master’s degree, all candidates are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant or take out federal or private student loans to cover the cost of tuition. The TEACH Grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Education and residents may use it to cover the $8,000 cost of their Master's degree tuition from Washington University.

For eligible residents, our Black Educators Initiative (BEI) grant provides $8,000 in tuition forgiveness to cover the first-year cost of certification tuition. More details can be found on our BEI page.

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

The application for our 2025 Alternative Certification program is open! Submit an application today in order to begin your journey with Teach St. Louis!

Still have questions? Complete an interest form to connect with a member of our talent team and learn more!