NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s School of Education will provisionally enroll graduate students pursuing teacher certification with either a certification only (PREP) program or a Master of Arts in Teaching program for Summer 2020.

Approval for enrollment has been granted for all candidates who applied for the MAT in Spring 2020 and meet all other admission requirements, but have not been able to schedule PRAXIS examinations, according to Dr. Katrina Jordan, director of the School of Education.

“This exception is granted for provisional enrollment. Full admission to either program will be granted after all requirements are met,” Jordan said.  “Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Education has notified us that teachers enrolled in alternate certification programs will be allowed to teach on a TAT (temporary authority to teach) license this year.”

This Master of Arts in Teaching is an online program is available to those who have already completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Graduation leads to both a Louisiana teaching license and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Students can continue to work, whether in a school or other setting, until the final two semesters of internship.

The School of Education is also offering flat rate tuition and provisional admission for alternate teaching certification through the PREP program starting in Summer 2020.  This online program is available to individuals who have already completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students who enroll for Summer 2020 will earn nine hours and begin a teaching internship in the fall.

“Northwestern is committed to helping prospective teachers earn certification even with the challenges raised through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our fully online programs lead to highly qualified individuals prepared to teach in K-12 schools” said Dr. Kimberly McAlister, dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development.

Information on the MAT, PREP and other degree programs offered through NSU’s School of Education is available at https://education.nsula.edu.