Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Oklahoma
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for early childhood educators is going to increase between 2016 and 2026. This is partially because of the stronger emphasis on early education for children. Another reason is that the number of children expected to be born during that period of time is expected to remain the same or slightly increase. Taking both of these factors into account, becoming an early childhood or preschool teacher is a strong career option. For Oklahoma residents considering following this path, there is also good news. Demand for ECE and preschool teachers is anticipated to match with the national statistics and, in regard to income, surpass the national average. The median income for an early childhood education teacher with a few years’ experience is $29,000 in the United States, but for Oklahoma, it’s $33,600.
Oklahoma Steps to Follow for Teachers
Oklahoma follows the national guidelines for becoming a teacher but also has its own state requirements as well. We have detailed the requirements for becoming an early childhood teacher in Oklahoma, as well as the certification process required to teach in the Sooner State.
Step 1. Earn Your Degree
In some cases you can teach with an associate’s degree. However, in order to attain a teaching certification, a bachelor’s degree with an early childhood specialization from an accredited school and a state-approved teaching program is required. You want to ensure that the school holds regional accreditation, and the program is accredited through a recognized organization such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Step 2.Complete A OEQA-Approved Teacher Education Program
The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability has many requirements that teaching candidates must meet in order to obtain certification and licensure once they complete their education. While these are generally well covered in a state-approved program, it’s good to know what you’re getting into ahead of time. Here are some of the requirements you can expect to encounter:
You must have an early childhood education or related degree. If you wish to teach elementary classes, you’ll need to major in a specific subject area.
You’ll need coursework or training in classroom management, safety and discipline, and technologies; identifying and preventing substance abuse, identifying mental health symptoms and issues; and research-based instruction, assessment, and intervention for literacy development.
You’ll also need to have plenty of field experience, also called student teaching. This will include 60 hours of various experiences prior to full-time student teaching, a minimum of 12 weeks of full-time student teaching, and may include other practical experiences for those completing an advanced program such as a master’s or doctoral degree.
Step 3. Pass Your Exams
Unlike many states, Oklahoma has created its own unique certification tests, which are similar to the national PRAXIS exams while meeting specific parameters necessary for OEQA certification and licensure. These exams are the OGET, OSAT, and the OPTE.
The Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) focuses on critical thinking and the basics of educational knowledge. The Oklahoma Subject Area Tests (OSAT) focus on specific subjects, specifically for teachers who will lead elementary level classes and up. Oklahoma’s Professional Teaching Exam (OPTE) tests for professional teaching knowledge and skills.
Step 4. Criminal Background Checks
Teacher candidates in Oklahoma have to pass a background check conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the state and federal level. The reports must be on file with the Oklahoma State Board of Education at the time of certification application.
Step 5. Apply for Teacher Certification
Once you’ve completed your degree, passed your state exams, and filed your background check, you are ready to get your certification. This requires you to fill out an application, submit various documents, and send the education board an application fee. Here are the details of what is required:
Submit official transcripts from all schools attended
Submit proof of passing scores on necessary exams
Submit the application along with the appropriate fee
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Oklahoma Needs You
The state of Oklahoma has a teacher shortage across the board, but those who are skilled at teaching at the elementary school level and below are especially in demand. With the growing population, teacher attrition and other economic factors, those who want to work with the youngest students will continue to be in high demand for some time. Whether you want to work in a public school, for a private educator, or help low-income children get a head start, there is a teaching position waiting for you.
Accredited Oklahoma Programs
If you have a degree from a school outside of the state of Oklahoma, you’ll have to submit your transcripts and any required test results to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for review. For those who hold teaching certification from another state, you will be granted a provisional certificate until it is determined what steps you will need to take to attain a permanent certificate.
For those who do not hold a degree in education but have worked in the early childhood sector for five years or more, you can apply for certification by submitting the application as well as verification from the organization where you have worked.
Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs
There are many colleges and universities in Oklahoma that offer early childhood education degree programs. Several offer an ECE program at the bachelor level, while other schools offer a general education degree and allow students to choose their desired specialization, such as early childhood or special education. Both private and public schools are available, and for those who want to pursue an education beyond a bachelor’s degree, master and doctorate programs are also available. The schools listed below offer both ECE and General Education programs that are recognized by the state of Oklahoma, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Oklahoma City University
Degrees Offered:
Curriculum and Instruction; Master’s
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented; Master’s
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Reading Teacher Education; Bachelor’s
Special Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
ESL Teaching; Master’s
Accreditation By:
CAEP/NCATE
HLC
Oklahoma State University
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling and Guidance Services; Master’s
Curriculum and Instruction; Master’s
General Education; Bachelor’s, Master’s, Dr., & Post-grad Certification
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
ESL Teacher; Post-grad Certification
Accreditation By:
CAEP/NCATE
HLC
Oral Roberts University
Degrees Offered:
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities; Dr.
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Reading Teacher Education; Master’s
Special Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Speech Teacher Education; Bachelor’s
ESL Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Accreditation By:
CAEP/NCATE
HLC
Southern Nazarene University
Degrees Offered:
Curriculum and Instruction; Master’s
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Accreditation By:
CAEP/NCATE
HLC
University of Tulsa
Degrees Offered:
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness; Bachelor’s
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Mental Retardation; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Accreditation By:
TEAC/CAEP
HLC
All public college educators are required to obtain Oklahoma educator qualification before functioning as an expert trainer in the state. The Instructor Accreditation Location within the state's Division of Education oversees the certification procedure, which is laid out thoroughly below to aid you find simply how to find to be an educator in Oklahoma.
Prospects must in addition pass the call for evaluations set by the Oklahoma Compensation for Teacher Preparation (OCTP). Prospects who have a bachelor's degree nevertheless did not graduate from a teacher prep job program may have gotten approved for various trainer accreditation in Oklahoma.7.3% Amongst among the most important actions towards Oklahoma teacher certification is completing an authorized Oklahoma trainer prep work program.
To compare important metrics for these state-approved educator prep work programs, you can make use of the sortable table on our Oklahoma universities page. Establishments that are headquartered out-of-state have to be approved by among the 6 regional certification businesses recognized by the US Department of Education And Learning And Discovering. Additionally, out-of-state instructor preparation job programs require to be authorized by that state's Board of Education and also finding out for the prep work of teachers.
Oklahoma does not authorize Practice ratings in lieu of its very own analyses for common course leads. Comparable to lots of states, Oklahoma needs training candidates to send out to a state along with government background check by fingerprint clearance. For updated information on completing this treatment, describe the Oklahoma State Division of Education And Knowing. As quickly as the actions towards educator certification in Oklahoma have actually been finished, teacher prospects must associate with the state's Department of Education and learn for a certificate.
In a personal institution establishing you might have a lot more flexibility with educational programs in addition to teaching styles, so if you're trying to find an occupation that permits you to inform in a class a lot more creativity, this might be the best path for you.
Running start is a preschool program for low-income kids. The curriculum is similar to what you would certainly discover in a standard preschool program, yet various added relative solutions are additionally periodically offered. The community daycare facility, before- as well as after-care programs as well as additionally numerous other firms that give a classroom setup for preschool kids call for qualified teachers to run their programs. Churches sometimes give preschool programs for their as well as also others in the area.
If they use a college program, utilizing licensed instructors contributes to their credibility as well as effectiveness in the neighborhood. Armed forces bases need trainers for the youngsters of their army individuals. This setting might allow you to be based outside the United States, as armed forces bases all over the globe need English-speaking, United States skilled teachers to instruct their pupils. The Four-Year-Olds in addition to Younger Training Qualification is for Child Growth Associates with experience.
For any parent, the thought of being able to provide the best possible education for their child in a community that is not located in the most populated part of the state can be quite overwhelming. If you have been thinking about taking on a teaching position in Oklahoma, there are a few steps you need to take in order to make sure that you are ready for your job. Here, you will learn how to become an early childhood teacher in Oklahoma.
In order to begin learning about the requirements and qualifications that are required of you in order to teach in Oklahoma, you first need to check with the Department of Education. The Department of Education will provide you with all the information that you need in order to be an ideal candidate for the position that you want. If you are interested in becoming an early childhood teacher in Oklahoma, you must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The minimum age requirements are twenty-five years old and at least one year of teaching experience.
Once you have been confirmed as a suitable candidate for becoming an early childhood teacher in Oklahoma, it is time to begin looking into what schools offer these positions. You will need to search online to find a list of schools in your state. In addition, you will also need to locate the schools that offer early childhood instruction. By doing this, you will be able to get a better sense of which schools are the most appropriate for your needs.
If you are unable to locate any schools that will accept your application, you will need to look in your local newspaper. You will likely be able to locate a list of schools that have openings for these positions. In addition to this, you will likely find that some of these schools offer scholarships and other financial assistance. In order to apply for these scholarships, you should fill out an application form in order to determine whether or not you are eligible. In order to obtain this type of funding, you should not only submit your application but also submit letters of recommendation.
Once you have identified some schools in your area that offer early childhood education programs, it is time to submit your resume. These resumes will need to include information that will allow your prospective employer to evaluate your qualifications. If you are going to apply for a grant or scholarship, you should also include your curriculum vitae.
If you are wondering how to become an early childhood teacher in Oklahoma, you should know that your school district is an important factor in determining how many positions you will be able to apply for. If you work in a large district, you will probably have access to more positions than those who work in smaller districts.
If you have a friend who works in a school district, you should visit their website to find out how they become an educator. Also, if you have an Internet connection, you can visit the Department of Education's website. This website will provide you with a wealth of information that will help you get started and create the career that you have always dreamed about. If you have never worked in this type of position before, you should research the educational requirements in order to learn how to be an excellent educator.
If you are ready to learn more about how to become an early childhood education teacher in Oklahoma, you will want to take advantage of these tips. These tips will help you gain the knowledge and skills that you need in order to become an excellent educator.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
As an early childhood education teacher in Oklahoma, there are plenty of options and opportunities for you to assist with the molding of the youngest of minds.
Public schools –
An increasing number of public-school districts are incorporating preschool into the schools. So instead of heading to the neighborhood elementary school for Kindergarten, kids are starting their academic careers at the elementary school as young as two. These schools need certified teachers to educate and facilitate these classrooms.
Private childcare –
For parents who want their kids to attain an early childhood education, but don’t want to enroll their children in a traditional school setting, hiring teachers to do private childcare is an option. If you’re interested in being part daycare provider, part teacher, this is an option. You’ll need the same certifications that a teacher in a traditional school setting requires, but you’ll have the latitude of creating your own curriculum and setting the stage for your classroom.
Private schools –
Just like public schools, teachers in private schools have to meet the requirements for the state of Oklahoma. In a private school setting you could have more flexibility with curriculum and teaching styles, so if you’re looking for a career that allows you to teach in a classroom more creativity, this could be the right path for you.
Head Start programs –
Head Start is a preschool program for low-income children. The curriculum is similar to what you would find in a traditional preschool program, but various additional family services are also sometimes offered. If you’re looking for a teaching position that is part education, part social work this could be the ideal position for you.
Community-based programs –
The community daycare center, before- and after-care programs and other organizations that offer a classroom setting for preschool children need licensed teachers to run their programs.
Faith-based programs –
Churches sometimes offer preschool programs for their parishioners and others in the neighborhood. If they offer a school program, using certified teachers adds to their credibility and usefulness in the community. If you want to teach in an environment that also offers spiritual education, these positions are ideal for you.
Military programs –
Military bases need teachers for the children of their military members. This position may allow you to be based outside the US, as military bases all over the world need English-speaking, US trained teachers to teach their students.