Preparation programs train future educators with the skills they will need to teach. The goal of alternative preparation programs is to provide teacher candidates with the critical knowledge and skills necessary for success as teachers. Alternative route teachers are typically trained via apprenticeship-style programs that put aspiring teachers to work immediately in classrooms. These programs require coursework that is taken both before and while teaching. The programs are similar to traditional graduate programs, but they typically provide more flexible scheduling, part-time study, and other features designed to allow students to work while they study the practice of teaching. Preparation programs typically include instructional, supervision, mentor, and assessment components. Program lengths vary, depending on the coursework needed and the applicant's availability to attend classes and field experiences.
Candidates for these programs must first pass a rigorous screening process. In order to qualify for entry into alternative preparation programs, most states require candidates to:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
- Pass state testing requirements;
- Possess the required cumulative grade point average; and
- Pass a criminal background check.
Links to SREB State and Related Resources
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