Alternative Certification for Educators Institute (ACE Institute)
Scholarship Opportunity
Awardee Selection Criteria
For the summer and fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters, scholarships shall be awarded
to:
Qualified for Oklahoma Alternative Placement Certification by Spring 2025
In order to qualify for scholarship funding for a teacher education micro-credential, a student must be eligible for Alternative Placement certification as established by the Oklahoma State Department of Education by the end of spring 2025. This includes:
- Degree attainment:
- Will hold a bachelor’s degree with one of the following conditions met:
- Baccalaureate retention GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Minimum 2 years of qualified work experience
- Will hold a terminal degree in any field from an accredited institution.
- Will hold a bachelor’s degree with one of the following conditions met:
- Completion of one or more micro-credentials including a total of 6-18 credit hours
of coursework by the end of spring 2025, including the following two courses:
- Classroom management
- Pedagogical principles (general or subject-specific)
- Enrollment minimums: Student must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours of coursework among the summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025 terms.
- FAFSA Completion: Undergraduate students shall complete a FAFSA in order to qualify
for aid.
- Note: OSRHE has submitted a request to waive this requirement and will notify institutions of any changes.
- Oklahoma residency: OSRHE Residency Policy (See OSRHE Policy and ProceduresManual, Chapter 3 - Academic Affairs. View Section 3.18 of PDF file.)
- US citizen or eligible noncitizen: Must be consistent with federal student aid requirements.
Funds may only be awarded for progress towards teacher education micro-credentials earned during the summer and fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters.
Application of Aid
- For summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025, aid may be applied toward: tuition and
fees, learning materials (only if billed through the bursar), and resolution of prior
debt owed to the
institution if it prohibits enrollment. - If a student owes a balance to another Oklahoma institution, the enrolling institution may assume the outstanding debt liability.
- GEER funds may not be transferred between Oklahoma institutions.
- No GEER funds shall be refunded or disbursed directly to students.
Individual Award Limits
- The minimum award to be issued per qualified participant is the equivalent of three (3) credit hours of in-state tuition and fees for the enrolling institution.
- The maximum award per individual qualified participant is $2,624.
ACE Institute
- 100% Online
- No Entrance Exam
- 4-week, 8-week, and 16-week formats
- Classes start in January, March, May, June, July, August, and October
How do I Become an Alternatively Certified Teacher?
The Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) Institute provides training for career professionals transitioning into a teaching career. If you hold a bachelor's or master's degree in a non-education field and seek alternative certification through the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OKSDE), the ACE Institute is for YOU!
Pathways
ACE Institute offers classroom management and pedagogy courses to meet the OKSDE’s minimum requirements. Scholarships through the Pathways for Alternative Teaching Certification (PATC) are available for those who seek NSU teaching certificates in Classroom Teaching and Learning, STEM Education, and Special Education.
Below are the OKSDE alternative placement pathway and NSU teaching certificate options.
Alternative Placement Pathway 5th -12th Grades
Teach 5th - 12th-grade health and physical education, art, music, or foreign language in Oklahoma-accredited schools.
Pre-requisites
- A bachelor's degree
- An academic major or minor related to the certificate area being pursued
- At least 1 year of qualified work experience related to a certification area
Requirements
6 hrs min or 12 hrs certificate
*NSU Classroom Teaching and Learning Certificate: 12 hrs
Career Development Pathway 1st - 8th Grades
Teach early childhood, elementary, or special education in Oklahoma-accredited schools.
Pre-requisites
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- At least one continuous year of experience in a public school in the certificate area being pursued
- Pass the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT) in the area school experience was earned–elementary, early childhood, or special education
Requirement
12 hrs
**NSU STEM Education Certificate: 9 hrs
Alternative Elementary Pathway 1st - 8th Grades
Teach early childhood and/or elementary education in Oklahoma-accredited schools.
Pre-requisites
- Terminal degree (MLS, MFA, EdD, PhD, etc.) OR bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Two years of post-degree work experience in a corresponding field to early childhood or elementary education.
- A district-initiated application.
Requirement
12 hrs
** NSU STEM Education Certificate: 9 hrs
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When Can I Start?
You can complete the OKSDE minimum requirements through the ACE Institute in 4 to 8 weeks! The courses are offered 100% online and taught by experienced teachers in a 4-, 8-, and 16-week format. Courses start in January, March, May, June, July, August, and October.
Take the following steps today!
- Provide proof of admittance into the OKSDE Alternative Pathway to Teaching program.
- Apply to the NSU Graduate College as an undeclared, non-degree-seeking student.
What is the Cost?
Tuition and fees for the 6-18 credit hours are approximately $2,200.00 - $6,600.
- Applicants admitted into the OKSDE’s Alternative Pathway to Teaching may qualify for Financial Aid. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
- Applicants seeking an NSU teaching certificate in addition to OKSDE minimum requirements can apply for full scholarships through the Partnership for Alternative Teaching Certification (PATC). Click this link or contact Ana Davis-Landsaw, Assistant Director of ACE Institute, at 918-444-3777 or email aceinstitute@nsuok.edu for more information.
Can These Courses Be Applied to a Graduate Degree?
Yes! The professional education provided by the ACE Institute applies to the Master of Education in Instructional Leadership, Master of Education in Mathematics, and Master of Education in Science degree programs.
- Tuition for a Master's degree in Instructional Leadership is Approximately $13,000.
- Applicants seeking a Master of Education in Mathematics or a Master of Education in Science degree can apply for full scholarships through Partnership for Alternative Teaching Certification (PATC).
Contact Us
We want to help you achieve your goals! Contact us at aceinstitute@nsuok.edu or 918-444-3777
