Master of Arts in Teaching—Noncertification

This program is based on national professional standards for beginning teachers and is offered to students nationwide. The online coursework will provide you with an opportunity to:

• Explore the reflective decision-maker model and other research-based theories of learning with an emphasis on student diversity
• Evaluate current issues in educational psychology and philosophical viewpoints that can affect teaching priorities and strategies
• Develop skills for effective teaching, including designing curricula, organizing and managing a classroom, building literacy, and assessing secondary student learning

The program’s curriculum is designed to help you build a strong foundation in teaching methods and does not include fieldwork, student teaching, or internship requirements—the entire program can be completed online.

Classroom Pathways Bundle

The Classroom Pathways Bundle is a unique enrollment package for students looking to become certified in specific states and consists of two separate and distinct programs: the American Board’s Plus Program and the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track.   

• You will complete the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track prior to beginning the Plus Program courses in order build a solid knowledge base of secondary teaching and learning principles and to develop the professional competencies required of beginning teachers. 
• Upon graduation, you will complete the Plus Program and have the opportunity to become a certified teacher in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, or Wisconsin. You must pass the American Board examinations to be eligible for certification.^‡
• American Board program resources and examination costs are included in the price of tuition for Purdue Global’s Classroom Pathways Bundle and may be covered by financial aid for those who qualify; one less thing to think about on your path to becoming a certified teacher.

Education Career Alternatives Program (ECAP) Alliance

Our alliance with the Education Career Alternatives Program offers you a state-approved route to teacher certification in Texas and special opportunities to save time and money by transferring select master’s degree courses into the ECAP.

Other States

Licensing requirements for teaching grades 5 through 12 vary by state. In almost every state, you must enroll in a state-approved certification program that may include completing coursework, a supervised teaching internship or student teaching course, and/or passing a subject area and pedagogy exam. If you are interested in becoming a certified teacher and live in a state that is not covered by the Classroom Pathways Bundle or the ECAP alliance, you must independently research and pursue certification in your state .On its own, the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track will not lead to certification nor will it assist you in becoming a teacher in those states.

However, if you live in a state not covered by the Classroom Pathways Bundle or the ECAP alliance, you may still pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track in order to:

• Boost your  knowledge of the secondary education field and develop the professional competencies required of beginning teachers
• Potentially benefit from a pay increase if your state pays more to teachers entering the field with a graduate degree

Full licensure requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. View the interactive map to identify your state’s teaching and certification requirements.

Note: Completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track is not required in order to pursue a state alternative teacher certification program.

Prior to enrolling in the Classroom Pathways Bundle, prospective students must confirm via email to their Advisor that they understand (1) the Master of Arts in Teaching’s noncertification track does not lead to certification and (2) the certification and eligibility requirements of the American Board.Students and their advisors must contact the American Board advisor to confirm costs, deadlines, additional fees, required approvals, residency, and continuing requirements for certification.

Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the program meets the specific requirements for any individual state or school system for pay increase purposes. Students must independently research the requirements in their state or school system.

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to announce a partnership with Promise Opens Doors, an organization that offers an online certificate program for educators interested in working abroad and helping others learn English. Purdue Global graduates and current students can choose to enroll in Promise Opens Doors’ Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Core Certificate Program (TCCP), a 4- to 6-month program that includes an online practicum with a real-time classroom in Asia. The certificate is recognized in certain states as fulfilling part of the certification requirements to teach English as a Foreign Language to students in the U.S. Note: this program is not included in the cost of Purdue Global tuition.

In addition, our alliance provides Promise Opens Doors students, alumni, and employees and their immediate family members with a tuition reduction on School of Education programs. Speak to an advisor to learn more.

Tuition reduction may not be combined with Purdue Global scholarships, grants, military tuition reductions, tuition vouchers, or other discounts or Tuition Cap or ExcelTrack^TM pricing. Eligible family members include spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, and children.