What is Alternative Certification?
Traditionally, becoming a teacher may require you to attend a college campus to acquire a bachelor’s degree in education, which can take several years and an average of $25,615 a year.
On the other hand, iteach is a nationally accredited alternative teacher certification program that allows you to get certified quickly and affordably and be teaching in a matter of weeks. Because the coursework is online, you can start any time, complete your requirements at your own pace, and do it all from the comfort of your own home.
Still unsure? Check out this blog post for 5 more reasons to choose alternative certification…
Note: the blog is about Texas but the content applies to all states.
A comparison of traditional certification vs alternative certification
Click the image below to download our handy guide and see the benefits you can expect with alternative certification.
Preparing to apply & enroll
To get started with iteach, you need to apply, be accepted, and then officially enroll in the program! It is entirely free to apply, but the requirements of admission vary by state. To find out how you can be on your way to teaching, see the list of states below to view your admission requirements:
Arkansas
Arizona
D.C.
Florida
Hawaii
Indiana
Louisiana
Nevada
Tennessee
Texas
West Virginia
Step 1: Apply
To APPLY to iteach you will need the following:
An undergraduate degree
A 2.5 GPA*
*GPA of 2.75 required in TN or 3.0 in last 60 hours
Step 2: Enroll
Once you’ve applied and have been accepted, you can officially enroll in the program.
To ENROLL in iteach you will need the following:
Completed application
Notice of acceptance
Bachelor’s Degree transcripts submitted
Signed Letter of Agreement
Complete Introductory Course 5000
A passing score on your content exam
$99 enrollment fee* (The monthly payment option requires a $99 enrollment fee and a commitment to $99 monthly payments while completing the program. Once you secure a teaching job, the payments will increase to pay your balance in full by the end of the two semesters.)
*some states (TN, FL, VA, WV) require a $250 enrollment fee
How much does it cost?
$0 to apply
$99 to enroll *
$4399 for the program
Pay only $99 a month while enrolled until you begin your two-semester field experience. At that time, your remaining balance is divided into 8-10 interest-free monthly payments.
*some states (TN, FL, VA, WV) have different pricing structures
Learn more about the program pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most asked questions about applying to the program…
Q: When can I apply?
A: You can apply at any time!
Q: How do I submit my transcripts?
A: Contact your school and request that your transcripts be sent to iteach. If you already have official transcripts, you may mail them directly to iteach at the following address:
iteach
P.O. Box 1626
Denton, Texas 76202
You may also upload a secure official electronic version of your transcripts, if the transcripts have been verified through a service such eScrip- Safe, Parchment Exchange, Credential Solutions and/or National Student Clearinghouse. iteach will not accept unofficial transcripts, which includes a scan or a photocopy of a transcript.
Your university may email official electronic transcripts to [email protected]
Q: What if my GPA is less than 2.5?
A: To enroll in the iteach program, you must have a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5 or a GPA of 2.5 in your last 60 hours of college coursework. If you are unsure whether you meet this requirement, you can evaluate your GPA using our GPA calculator tool (Excel file, 39KB).
Graduate courses taken at an accredited college or university may be included in your calculation for your GPA in your last 60 hours of coursework.
If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement, you will need to take additional undergraduate or graduate coursework in order to improve your GPA in your last 60 hours of coursework.
What are the benefits of teaching?
Job security
Great work/life balance
Awesome holidays
New students every year
Pep rallies
Sports
Summer vacation
Great hours
Why should I teach?
See what these teachers had to say about why they chose a career in education…
What should I teach?
When most people think of teaching, typically the core subjects like Math, English, History, and Science come to mind. But there are many more options. Check out this blog post for some ideas and help determining what subject would be a good fit for you.