Certification Map - Where do you want to teach?
March 19, 2009
Ever thought of moving to a different state, but were unsure of what was required to be a teacher in that state? Well, wonder no more. The Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California and MAT@USC have created the Certification Map, a dead simple way to find the teacher certification requirements for all 50 states in the Union.
Certification Map is a simple-yet-effective way to determine the requirements needed to become a teacher in your state. Click on any state on the map to see that state’s prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements to be certified as a teacher. The information sections for each state also include links to each of the state’s testing information. For example, on the page for the sunny state of Florida, you can find links directly to the FLDOE’s certification test registration page — a handy feature indeed. The site also provides information as to whether that state offers an alternative certification for teachers that don’t have a degree in education.
Be sure to check out each state’s snapshot section, too. The snapshots contain information such as average salaries for elementary and secondary teachers, as well as give an idea of how far above or below that salary is compared to the average salary in the state. Snapshots also include how many weeks of vacation are allotted in each state (15 is apparently the magic number).
Whether you’re already a teacher but looking to move to another state, or you’re not a teacher but want to become one sometime, somewhere, the Certification Map from MAT@USC is a perfect place to start. -JERRY SWIATEK
