Alternative Teacher Certification Programs

Earn your teacher certification with TCP

The Teacher Certification Program (TCP) trains confident, compassionate teachers, through a comprehensive licensure program. We care about the future of education, which is why we’re breaking down barriers of time and money and allowing those with a passion for education to become licensed teachers – quickly and affordably – without sacrificing quality or competence. Start teaching this school year!

Teaching Certification Programs

What is TCP?

Online teacher certification, also known as alternative teacher certification, offers a faster route to obtaining a teaching license in the United States for individuals who do not have an education degree. Originally designed to address shortages of certified teachers in specific subjects and regions, alternative teacher certification programs aim to facilitate entry into the teaching profession for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Online teacher certification has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional teacher preparation programs. Unlike traditional programs that typically require four to five years of full-time study, online certification programs provide greater flexibility and can be easily integrated into a busy lifestyle.

Many working professionals are attracted to becoming certified U.S. teachers online, as these programs offer an accelerated path to transitioning into the classroom. In under a year, individuals can complete the online certification program and be ready to begin their teaching careers.

Teach Away offers multiple licensure options, each offering unique benefits on your pathway to teaching. With one of our state-certified teaching licenses, you’ll be ready to start your teaching career.

Earn a Hawai’i state teaching license

Next cohort: January 2025

Complete the program from beautiful Hawai’i.

Online
Under a year
Teacher Certification
Expedite your Master’s degree with the Chaminade University of Honolulu

Explore Programs

Earn an Arizona state teaching license

Next cohort: January 2025

Complete the program from anywhere in the world.

Online
Under a year
Teacher Certification
No Relocation Required

Explore Programs

What does our teacher certification program get you?

A state-issued teacher
certification

An expedited pathway to
licensure

An affordable alternative to
traditional programs

A teaching certificate that can be used to teach across America, online, or abroad

The teacher certification process

Why TCP is the best choice for aspiring teachers

Whether you’re considering becoming a teacher or are already working as an unlicensed educator, TCP is one of the fastest most affordable ways to get a teaching certificate with a quality program and expert team dedicated to helping you achieve your teaching dreams.

Nationally approved programming

TCP offers state-approved and AAQEP-accredited programs to provide you with the tools you need to prepare for your teaching career.

Flexible online learning

A blend of majority online core curriculum and in-person clinical placements to fit your life, and prepare you for the classroom.

1-on-1 support

Our team of admissions advisors, mentors, and preparation coordinators are here to help you every step of the way.

Affordable program costs

Earn your teacher certification at a fraction of the cost of on-campus alternatives, without compromising on quality.

Employers who have hired our TCP alumni

What teachers are saying

“As an individual with a quality education in science, who has served in Hawaii public schools for five years, I have been very pleased with TCP. I have found the education to be enlightening and relevant. The online platform is user friendly and the staff is kind, professional and available. I am thankful that I found their brochure when I was searching for a credential program.”

Lacey B. | Teacher in Hawai’i, USA

“I cannot recommend the Teacher Certification Program through Teach Away and Klassroom more. This program allowed me to continue teaching at the school I was working at while working to become a fully certified teacher. The classwork was fast-paced but it was geared towards the knowledge that you need as a teacher in a classroom setting.”

Kaytlyn D. | Teacher in Arizona, USA

“TCP has enabled me to pursue my career while continuing to work at my full-time job. The program is convenient and affordable. I highly recommend TCP to everyone seeking a career in Education.”

Maris G. | Teacher in Hawai’i, USA

Frequently Asked Questions

You can learn more about Program Performance and Candidate Achievement Data as reported to AAQEP in the AAQEP Annual Report for 2023.

Before you can land a job as a teacher in a public school in the U.S. you must first become certified in the state you wish to teach in, this qualification is commonly referred to as a teaching certificate, teaching license, or teaching credential.

In Hawai’i, requirements are set by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). Like all states, teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program from an accredited partner in order to qualify for the Hawai’i teacher certification through an alternative route.

Traditionally, teacher certification or licensure programs are provided in-person by colleges and universities in four-year degree or two-year post-baccalaureate formats. Alternative teacher certification programs, like TCP, are designed for aspiring educators, career changers and experienced educators without a teaching license to earn a teaching credential in a flexible and accelerated course delivery format while having the same learning outcomes of traditional certification or licensure programs.

Online teacher certification, often referred to as alternative teacher certification, provides an expedited pathway to teaching licensure in the U.S. for aspiring teachers who lack an education degree.

Alternative teacher certification was originally designed to prepare non-certified teachers to fill shortages in certain subject areas and geographical locations and to provide entry into the teaching profession for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in any major looking to make a career in teaching.

Online teacher certification is quickly growing as a popular alternative to traditional teacher preparation programs. Unlike traditional teacher training programs, which generally consist of four to five years of full-time, intensive study, online teacher certification programs are easier to fit into a flexible lifestyle.

Becoming a certified U.S. teacher online is particularly popular among working professionals looking to accelerate their transition to teaching in the classroom, as programs can be completed in under a year.

Online teacher certification has now become a common way for teachers to enter the field. Today, one in five new teachers becomes a teacher in the U.S. through alternative means, including online state-approved teacher preparation programs.

Online teacher certification is also increasingly growing in popularity among U.S. citizens working as ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers overseas, who wish to gain employment as a certified teacher upon their return.

Teaching candidates who hold a U.S. teaching certification are in high demand at international schools that follow an American curriculum. As a result, you’ll likely qualify for some of the most competitive teaching positions at the world’s top international schools.

Online teaching certification programs, such as Teach Away’s Teacher Certification Program, allow participants to complete their coursework from anywhere in the world, making it an ideal option for aspiring teachers residing overseas looking to obtain a U.S. teaching credential in order to teach in the U.S. or abroad.

Yes! TCP is an approved education preparation program required for a full, regular renewable teaching license. It is not a temporary or alternative license.

Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible to earn a Hawai’i or Arizona teaching license that is transferable to other parts of the U.S.

Teaching candidates who hold a U.S. teaching certification are in high demand at international schools that follow an American curriculum. As a result, you’ll likely qualify for some of the most competitive teaching positions at the world’s top international schools.

TCP is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Accreditation signifies that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so. In order to achieve accredited status, a program must demonstrate that it meets all four AAQEP standards and their associated aspects. You can learn more about accreditation on the Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) website. TCP has also been approved as a state-approved educator preparation program by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB).

The application process is simple. Just fill out the application information on our website and one of our Course Advisors will be in touch with you within a few days. In the meantime, we’ll email you some more information about teacher certification and the documents you will need to collect and submit for admissions review.

The program can be completed in as few as nine months but you have up to two years to complete the program and all requirements in their entirety. You must complete all components of TCP with a 3.0 GPA to graduate.

Teach Away’s Teacher Certification Program can qualify you to teach Elementary Education K-8, Secondary Education 6-12 in various subject areas, and Mild/Moderate Special Education K-12.

Our Arizona Teacher Certification Program will qualify you to teach in the state of Arizona. The licensure fields you may select through this program are Elementary Education, K-8, Secondary Education, 6-12, or Mild to Moderate Disabilities Special Education, K-12. You may choose one of the following subject areas to specialize in: Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, English, French, Geography, General Science, German, History, Health, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Political, Science/American Government, Social Studies, or Spanish

The online component (TCP Core) includes online coursework and field experiences. Over the course of six months, you will work through 360 hours of coursework broken down over four core modules. Each module contains anywhere from 4-8 lessons released weekly which our advisors encourage you to dedicate anywhere from 15-20 hours per week to. The online coursework includes research and readings, video observations and submissions, discussions, and weekly assessments and evaluations. The field experiences are designed to enhance understanding and encourage the application of core work competencies. TCP Core must be completed over a six month period and is delivered 100% online.

Our Teacher Preparation Coordinator will support you in securing either a student teaching placement in an experienced teacher’s classroom or provide the steps for you to be placed in the applicant pool to find a full-time teaching position under an emergency hire permit to meet the state’s requirement of 450-hours of placement in a classroom. The Preparation Coordinator will help you in deciding which route is best for you depending on your timing and preferences, facilitate in finding you a Cooperative Teacher or School Mentor, and provide tips and ideas for relocation if you are not a state resident.

The Arizona Preparation Coordinator will place you in a classroom in Arizona or provide guidance on how you can secure your own clinical placement in your home state. You may be able to use your current teaching position to meet clinical placement requirements.

For Hawai’i TCP, to earn a Provisional or Standard Teaching License you must pass a content test (Praxis II) in at least one of the following areas prior to beginning your Clinical Placement: Mathematics (6-12), Science (6-12), English Language Arts (6-12), Teaching English as a Second, Language (K-12). The test taken must match your licensure field.

For Arizona TCP, you will need to complete the AEPA/NES tests for professional and subject knowledge assessment.

Upon completion of the program, you will be able to apply for either a Hawai’i or Arizona teaching license, depending on your program, and you’ll be eligible for jobs throughout the state and beyond.

Please visit the NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) website to determine the steps involved in transferring your license to another state.

TCP’s Core Coursework is delivered online so you can complete the curriculum from anywhere in the world.

The clinical placement portion of the Hawai’i TCP program will need to be completed in the beautiful state of Hawai’i.

Teacher candidates in the Arizona program can complete their clinical placement at any school in the United States or at an accredited U.S. International school.

*Active duty military and spouses/registered partners may complete their clinical placement in the location in which they are stationed if approved by the TCP Clinical Placement Supervisor to meet program requirements

We offer Veterans, Active Duty members, and spouse(s) $250 off tuition. Thank you for your service!

Yes! Teach Away has several payment options available for you to help you budget for your tuition. Please check with our Admissions Advisors to explore monthly installment plans, up-front payments, and down-payment options to secure your enrollment in the next cohort.

Upon enrolment with our Admissions Team, candidates will fulfill a $500 non-refundable deposit. Due to the online nature of this program, refunds will not be offered once the program commences. Our TCP team is here to support teacher candidates on their journey and every effort is made to help students complete the entire teacher certification program.

A master’s program usually can take anywhere from 2-4 years to complete. An alternative certification program is strictly a pathway to obtaining a teaching license in the state the program is offered. Alternative programs like TCP, can be completed in under one year at a fraction of the cost.
FYI: We’re excited to share an opportunity that Teach Away and Chaminade University have been able to create for you. As a Teach Away TCP graduate, Chaminade local university in Hawai’i will waive up to 12 elective credits in recognition of the coursework and fieldwork that you have already completed with Teach Away’s TCP. This means you can earn your Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in as little as one year as you only need to complete 18 more credits (that’s 6 three-credit classes)!

Alternative Teacher Certification Programs