Rhode Island - Teaching Pathways

• For students whose career goal is to become a certified classroom teacher. Reminder: CU does not certify teachers. The following recommended coursework is aligned to state requirements in RI.

• This Teacher Prep path is inclusive of students interested in CU’s Dual Elementary & Special Education certification pilot program (RI only), and students interested in pursuing an alternative route to teacher certification (either through Expert Residency certification or Emergency certification). See recommendations for each of these teacher prep subpaths below.

  • Expert Residency certification and Emergency certification are both preliminary certifications and still require attending a certification program after CU (post-BA) to obtain full teacher certification.

Dual Certification: Elementary & Elementary Special Education (RI Only)

• The Dual Elementary & Special Education certification program is in pilot mode only and requires a separate application. If you are interested in this pilot, please complete this interest form.

Expert Residency Certification (RI only)

• In order to meet the requirements for Expert Residency Certification in RI, RIDE requires pedagogy courses in Teaching Reading, Teaching Math & Teaching differently-abled students. RIDE also requires coursework that fulfills the Right to Read requirement, which is currently fulfilled by taking BOTH the Intro to Science of Reading Pedagogy AND Teaching Methods in ELED: Structured Literacy. However, CU recommends the following 5 courses to build a good foundation for the classroom. 

• Expert Residency certification is still a preliminary certification not full teacher licensure. However, this preliminary certification allows individuals to apply for lead teacher positions & begin earning a teacher’s salary while completing the full certification process (either through attending a teaching certification or Masters program, or through credential review).

Emergency Certification 

• In order to be eligible for emergency certification in RI, RIDE requires a minimum of 2 educational pedagogy courses. RIDE also requires coursework that fulfills the Right to Read requirement, which is currently fulfilled by taking BOTH the Intro to Science of Reading Pedagogy AND Teaching Methods in ELED: Structured Literacy. However, we recommend the following 4 (or more) courses to build a good foundation for the classroom. 

• Emergency certification is a preliminary certification not full teacher licensure. However, this preliminary certification allows Local Education Agencies (LEAs: usually school districts or charter schools) to apply on behalf of a teacher-candidate for emergency certification through the respective State Department of Education. If approved & hired, individuals can begin earning a teacher’s salary while completing the full certification process (either through attending a teaching certification program or a Masters in Teaching program).

For more information about certification in Rhode Island, please take a look at RIDE's guidance on how to get certified. You also have access to the support provided by the Equity Institute through their Educator Preparation Pathway. Fill out this interest form to get more information on these resources.