FAQs about Alternative Certification
1. I can’t go to Alva every day for class so I’m going to get my degree and
then go alternative certification. It’s the same thing, right?
Not quite. In fact, choosing alternative certification as a route to the classroom will take longer
(two years), may cost you additional tuition, and may not end with you in a classroom.
2. What’s the difference?
 Traditional Education programs offer all the courses required by the state to be certified.
Once you graduate you will have met the requirements to be a certified teacher. (Generally
requirements vary state to state, but a certified teacher education program is accepted in other
states)
 Alternative Certification – means that you have experience in that area, have a bachelor’s
degree, and have passed the state examinations, Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET),
Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT) and Oklahoma Professional Teachers Examination
(OPTE) and will be required to take 18 hours of education courses (only good in the state of
Oklahoma. It is not transferable to other states.)
3. Why should someone pursue alternative certification?
Alternative certification may be a great answer for someone who has been working in their field
of study for a while and decides they missed their calling to teach. For example, a scientist that
has been working in a lab for a decade and decides they don’t enjoy their work as much as they
do explaining things to the classroom students that visit the lab occasionally would be a fantastic
candidate for alternative teacher certification.
Traditional Education Program
Bachelor Degree includes:
124 + hours
State Certification testing completed:
Oklahoma General Education Test(OGET)
Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT)
Oklahoma Professional Teacher Examination (OPTE)
GPA: 2.5
Alternative Certification
Bachelor Degree includes:
124 + hours
Alternative Certification Requirements:
$50.00 application fee
Pass all certification exams:
Oklahoma General Education Test(OGET)
Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT)
Recommendation by accredited university for
certification.
WITHIN THREE (3) YEARS:
Oklahoma Professional Teacher Examination (OPTE)
GPA: 2.5
AND Take an additional 18 hours to be certified.
*Classroom Management
*Teaching Methods
*Developmental Psychology *Evaluation
*Educational Technology
*Psych of Learning
*Foundations of Education *Reading/Content Area
*Substance Abuse Symptoms Identification
Certification Requirements met
Traditional Education Program accepted in other
states.
Certification Requirements Met
Only good in state of Oklahoma, not transferable
Links for more information:
Official Website for Alternative Placement Program:
http://www.ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-alternative-placement-program-teacher-certification
Alternative Paths to Teacher Certification:
http://www.ok.gov/sde/alternative-paths-teacher-certification
Oklahoma Alternative Placement Program for Teaching Certification
Oklahoma Alternative Placement Program provides an opportunity for individuals with non-teaching degrees to
teach in Oklahoma accredited schools.
What is the Oklahoma Alternative Placement Program, and who is eligible to participate in this alternative
route to certification?
Candidates must:
 Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university
 Have a major in a field of study that corresponds to an area of Oklahoma certification for a Secondary
Certificate, Elementary/Secondary Certificate, or a Career and Technology Education Certificate
 Have at least a 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
 Document two years of work experience in your degree field area or completion of post-baccalaureate
coursework related to your degree field area
What must I do to be admitted to the alternative certification program? To determine if you meet the
eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Alternative Placement Program submit the following:
 Application for the Oklahoma Alternative Placement Program with a $50 processing fee (check, cashier’s
check, or money order) made payable to the Oklahoma State Department of Education
 Official transcripts from all colleges/universities. Transcript must denote degree earned and the date degree
was conferred.
 A current resume
Result You will receive a letter notifying you if you are approved to seek certification through the program. If
you are not eligible, you will receive a letter notifying you of additional requirements that must be met prior to
receiving approval.
What must I do after being approved to seek an alternative certificate?
alternative certificate, complete the following:
 The Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET)
 The Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT)
Once you receive approval to seek an
What do I submit after passing the OGET and the OSAT(s)? After you have passed the above tests, submit the
following:
 Submit fingerprint cards and the $59 fee for a criminal history record search
What must I complete after I get my initial alternative certificate to receive an alternative standard
certificate? To receive an alternative standard certificate, you must complete the following:
 Complete the professional education component, semester hours and/or development hours
 Pass the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam (OPTE)
Degree
Baccalaureate
Masters
Doctorate
Professional Education Requirements
18 semester hours or 270 clock hours
12 semester hours or 180 clock hours
12 semester hours or 180 clock hours
Courses may be required to take: (Same courses covered in a traditional education program)
Classroom Management, Developmental Psychology, Educational Technology, Evaluation, Foundations
of Education, Psychology of Learning, Reading in the Content Area, Substance Abuse Symptoms Identification,
Teaching Methods
After meeting the above requirements, please submit the following:
 Alternative Placement Renewal Application
 $50 processing fee (check, cashier’s check, or money order) made payable to the OSDE
 You must also submit documentation of the professional education component. Development hours must be
verified by the school district. Semester hours should be submitted on an official transcript