Option 7
Alternate Route to
Teacher Certification
Embedded Files
The Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative's Teacher Certification Institute offers four alternative teacher certification programs. The Special Education program leads to the Learning and Behavior Disorders P-12 certificate; the High School program leads to Grades 8-12 certificates in Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, or Social Studies; the Elementary Education program leads to certification for Grades P-5; and a certification program for Interdisciplinary and Early Childhood Education, Birth to Primary. All programs result in a Kentucky teaching certificate valid in any public school district in the state.
2025 Option 7 Overview Video.mp4Watch this video overview of the program!
Watch this video overview of the program!
Certification Pathways
Special Education--Learning & Behavior Disorders (LBD), P-12
Elementary Education, P-5
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth to P
13-month learning cycle (240 total hours)
Bootcamp & Seminar (204 hours)
Mentor Coaching (36 hours)
High School General Education Core Subjects, Grades 8-12
English
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
SocialStudies
13-month learning cycle (180 total hours)
Bootcamp & Seminar (144 hours)
Mentor Coaching (36 hours)
Program Components
Bootcamp
Bootcamp
Bootcamp will occur during the first semester of the candidate’s placement in a classroom. Bootcamp formats would include a mix of synchronous virtual sessions, asynchronous on-demand modules, and some in-person sessions as needed. Utilizing EPSB-approved university curricula, these sessions are designed to provide candidates a solid foundation as they begin their classroom teaching assignment.
Seminar
Seminar
Following Bootcamp, certification candidates continue their instruction during Seminar. Seminar sessions also utilize EPSB-approved university curricula. These sessions are designed to take a deeper dive into content pertinent to the certification field and pedagogy. Like Bootcamp, these sessions could be delivered in a variety of formats (synchronous, asynchronous, in-person).
Mentor Coaching
Mentor Coaching
Each candidate will be paired with a highly effective mentor teacher. The experienced teacher will observe the certification candidate; provide feedback to the candidate on teaching and professional practice; and offer guidance on completing professional responsibilities and assignments.
Teaching Assignment
Teaching Assignment
Candidates must complete a full-time, year-long teaching assignment in order to complete the program. The teaching assignment almost always runs concurrently with Bootcamp and Seminar. The candidate’s placement will be supervised by school district staff and supported by CKEC. Candidates will be formally observed in the classroom by a school principal, their mentor teacher, and a CKEC coach. This is anchored by the KY Framework for Teaching.
capstone project
capstone project
Candidates will be required to maintain a digital portfolio that includes work products/tasks and reflections about practice collected throughout the certification process.
Each candidate will be asked to present the portfolio as a culmination of the certification process. Certification candidates will be defending their attainment of standards using the artifacts assembled in the portfolio.
The CKEC Option 7 Program is designed to provide continuous support for all components--professional learning (Bootcamp and Seminar), classroom (clinical) setting, frequent contact with practicing educators, PRAXIS Exam tutoring (if needed), portfolio development, etc.
Costs
Costs
Candidate Fee
$2,500 before the first session of Bootcamp or five (5) days prior to the first day of a teaching assignment, whichever is earlier
$2,500 within 180 day of the first session of Bootcamp
District Partnership Fee
$5,000 per candidate
For Payment Submission, visit our TCI homepage.
APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in teaching area or graduate degree in related area
2.75 GPA (or 3.0 on the last 30 hours of coursework)
3 references (Candidate Disposition Form)
*Note:
Those who currently hold (or have ever held) a KY Teacher Certification are NOT ELIGIBLE for this program.
Those who currently hold (or have ever held) a Teacher Certification from another state are NOT ELIGIBLE for this program.
Those who have been previously enrolled in a teacher preparation program, including doing student teaching, yet have not received certification, are NOT ELIGIBLE for this program.
Complete the online Application.
Other Application Documents (to be submitted as part of the application):
Candidate Agreement. Please read, initial, sign, and date the applicable form. No electronic signatures accepted. Please submit this with your application.
Official Transcripts must be submitted with the application.
Option 7 Candidate Disposition Form (3). Candidates should share the link to the Candidate Disposition Form (found on the application) with three (3) people who will complete the form on your behalf. When selecting references, choose people who know you best, but as many as possible should be practicing or retired educators. Acceptable responses on all three forms are necessary.
***Now accepting applications for Fall 2025!***
Applicants will be notified within two weeks of reception by the CKEC Teacher Certification Institute of ALL documents required for acceptance.
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