Admission Requirements for Certified Teachers

Complete the following admission requirements:

• Admission requirements for the graduate program.
• Current teaching certificate or equivalent coursework towards an Alaska teaching certificate.

Prerequisite or corequisite: EDSE F482 or comparable transfer course from another institution

Admission Requirements for Initial Certification

1. Complete the following admission requirements:
   1. Admission requirements for the graduate program.
   2. Baccalaureate degree along with the following prerequisites:
      1. Documented recent experience (minimum 12 hours) in an educational setting with children experiencing disabilities.
      2. UAF prerequisite or corequisite courses or comparable transfer courses. Courses may be completed prior to admission or during the program:

         Course List

         Code	Title	Credits
         ED F245	Child Development	3
         EDSE F482	Inclusive Classrooms for All Children	3
         Complete one of the following:		3
         ED F201	Introduction to Education
         ED F624	Foundations of Education in Alaska: From Segregation to Standards
         EDSC F205	Introduction to Secondary Education
         EDSC F415	Foundations of Modern Educational Practice

      3. Passing scores on the Praxis Academic Skills for Educators test (or Praxis I) or another test acceptable to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development before or during the first semester of classes. Current test numbers and minimum scores can be found at the Basic Competency Examination Requirements page.
      4. Passing scores on the appropriate Praxis II Exam(s) required before entering EDSE F678. Current test numbers and minimum scores can be found on the Content Area Exam Information pdf. Candidates should consult the employing school district to determine preferred tests based on teaching assignment.
      5. Passing scores on the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications Praxis Exam (test #5354) or another test acceptable to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development before or during EDSE F680. Passing scores are required to complete EDSE F680 and graduate from the Special Education K-12 Postbaccalaureate Certificate of Completion.
2. The following are recommended prior to admission or during the program. They are not required for the degree, but they are required for Alaska teacher certification:
   1. An Alaska studies course approved by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. See the Teacher Certification site.
   2. A multicultural education/cross-cultural communication course approved by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. See the Teacher Certification site.
3. All prerequisite or corequisite courses must be completed with a minimum final grade of B. 

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Program Requirements for Certified Teachers

Minimum Requirements for Special Education K-12 Postbaccalaureate Certification: 24 credits

¹

Complete the corequisite course before or during admittance to the program; or have a comparable transfer course from another university. 

²

Students pursuing a K-12 special education certificate must complete clinical practice in a public school setting.

³

Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements every semester.

Program Requirements for Initial Certification

Minimum Requirements for Special Education K-12 Postbaccalaureate Certification: 27 credits

¹

Complete the corequisite courses before or during admittance to the program; or have comparable transfer courses from another university. 

²

Students pursuing a K-12 special education certificate must complete a clinical practice in a public school setting.

³

Additional fee required. Charges are added to fee statements every semester.

Note: Students who do not have a current Alaska teacher certificate must take 6 credits of clinical practice. Clinical practice courses are taken in the last two semesters of the program. To enter the clinical practice, students must apply for authorization from the State of Alaska. This includes fingerprinting and a background check. Fingerprint clearance may take up to six months to complete. Submit the clinical practice application two semesters prior to the desired placement. Failure to comply with the requirement, falsification of information, or evidence of a criminal conviction that is named in the law or the Professional Teaching Practices Commission is considered an ethics violation. This will result in denied access to field placement in Alaska school districts. Authorization is required before clinical practice can begin.