Morehead State University introduces new option for teacher certification

Morehead State University now offers a quicker pathway toward a teaching degree for certain students. The Option 9 program will help adult students earn their degree and teacher certification in three years instead of the typical four, or will help those who are already working as a paraprofessional make the leap to teaching.

According to an article on Morehead State University’s website, Dr. April Miller, who serves as the dean of the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education, was quoted as saying of the benefits of the Option 9 program, "Short-term benefits of the Option 9 program are that there is the potential to finish a college degree faster than the traditional timeline for a four-year degree, the ability to complete the program while working full-time, and the ability to become known in a specific school district with the potential to continue to teach in that district once they are certified. Long-term benefits of the Option 9 [program] are that school districts can 'Grow Their Own' teachers within their communities. This allows for teacher recruitment and retention in some of the more rural areas where the teacher shortage is most critical."  

The Option 9 program is approved by the state of Kentucky. It will help aspiring teachers reach their degree and certification goals in as few as three years instead of four by condensing courses and offering some online courses. Additionally, instead of the typical student teaching experience that future teachers take part in, the Option 9 program includes an internship in teaching for their third and final year. By cutting the amount of time a student needs to be in school before they can become a teacher, participants in the program will also save money by forgoing the typical fourth year of teacher education.

Speaking of who may be interested in pursuing this type of program, Dr. Miller said, "Perhaps they have a family to care for or cannot attend school without also working full-time. This program is also for someone who is interested in staying in the school district in which they are already working as a paraprofessional. The school benefits from the likelihood that the paraprofessional they have hired will remain in place and will gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be a teacher who then may ultimately be hired as a teacher for their district."

For more information about Morehead State University, visit the school’s website.