Online teaching certification programs in Louisiana are scarce. The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a good option, however.
Louisiana School with an Online Teacher Certification Program
| University | Tuition & Fees (2021-2022)* | Degree Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | $9,058 in-state | Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education 1-5 |
Source: *National Center For Education Statistics
Education Requirements - University of Louisiana at Monroe Online Program
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program, with the focus on grades 1-5. This program is approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, in addition to the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Of the 120 credit hours required for your degree, you'll complete core courses including social studies, science, and math, in addition to integrative studies and courses about methods of teaching. The program includes several special education courses for working with special needs students. About 45 credit hours will be upper-level courses, in addition to a student teaching experience.
Several other universities in the state might offer less traditional paths to teacher certification. Those options may include earning a bachelor's degree in general studies and then fulfilling the teacher certification requirements. Individuals who already have an undergraduate degree in another field might pursue a master's degree that offers teacher certification.
Certification Requirements
To be certified in Louisiana, a bachelor's degree is required that includes 180 hours of experiences in the field plus a year-long student teaching internship with a mentor teacher in a school, according to the State's Department of Education. In addition, qualifying scores on the proper Praxis tests are required. Future elementary teachers will need to successfully pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test series, Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6, and the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exams. Teachers at the middle school or secondary levels will have different Praxis requirements.
Is certification worth it? Let's go over the numbers.
Let's start with the average yearly salary of elementary teachers (excluding special education) in Louisiana, who earned $51,540 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nationwide, elementary teachers (excluding special education) earned $67,080, on average, that same year, said the BLS. Also according to the BLS, elementary teachers across the nation can expect 4% growth in jobs from 2021-2031. This number is as fast as average compared to other careers in the United States.
| Average Salary for Teachers in Louisiana (2021)* | $51,540 (elementary), $52,170 (middle school), $53,950 (secondary) |
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree |
| Degree Field | Education |
| Testing Requirements | Praxis exams, depending on level |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Resources for Teaching Certification
Here is a link to some resources that can give you additional information as you pursue your online teaching certification in Louisiana.
- Prepare for the Praxis Exam
