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Certification Step-by-Step
Click to jump to section Louisiana Prerequisite Coursework Louisiana Teacher Preparation Louisiana Required Tests Louisiana Application Requirements Louisiana Certification Reciprocity Louisiana Teacher Salary Louisiana Certification Resources & Links
Louisiana Highlights
Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.
Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/10/18
This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Louisiana.
To become a certified teacher in Louisiana, you will need to fulfill these requirements:
- Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
- Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
- Step Three: Pass required exams.
- Step Four: Submit a Louisiana teaching credential application.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.
Step One: Louisiana Teacher Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Coursework for teacher certification in Louisiana varies with different state-approved teacher preparation programs.
The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.
Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with USC Rossier School of Education.
Master’s Requirements
Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.
The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.
Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.
Step Two: Louisiana Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to Louisiana, visit our Louisiana Teacher Scholarships page. Go to the Louisiana Department of Education’s Preparation page for more information.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Individuals who have a Bachelor of Arts or Science without the required education courses and experiences can pursue one of three alternative routes to certification. Visit the Louisiana Department of Education for more information about alternative certification.
Step Three: Louisiana Required Tests
Basic Skills Test
The Louisiana Department of Education requires all teaching candidates to pass and complete the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) to enter into a state-approved teacher preparation program.
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| 156 162 150 |
Praxis I: Reading, and Praxis I: Writing, and Praxis I: Mathematics |
PPST is required for all teaching certificates |
An ACT score of 22 and/or a SAT verbal/math score of 1030 may be used to substitute PPST scores in the state of Louisiana.
Content Tests
The Louisiana Department of Education requires all teaching candidates to pass and complete the Praxis II Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) and Praxis II Subject Tests in their area(s) of specialization.
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| 163 157 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, and PLT: Early Childhood |
Early Childhood, PK-3 |
| 163 160 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge and PLT: Grades K-6 |
Elementary Education, 1-5 |
| – 164 165 150 149 |
PLT: Grades 5-9 and (1) one of the following: Middle School English Languages Arts, or Middle School Mathematics, or Middle School Science, or Middle School Social Studies |
Middle School, 4-8 |
| 157 | PLT: Grades 7-12. Please visit LA’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of available Secondary content assessments | Secondary Education, 6-12 |
Praxis Requirements for Special Education Certification
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| 159 157 163 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications PLT: Early Childhood Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Early Interventionist, Birth-5 Years |
| 145 160 163 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications Education of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Hearing Impaired, K-12 |
| 153
– |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Mild to Moderate Applications, and [Core-subject exam appropriate to content] |
Mild/Moderate Disabilities 1-2 -and- General & Special Education: Mild/Moderate 1;5; 4-8; 6-12 |
| 153 163 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Severe to Profound Applications Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Significant Disabilities, 1-12 |
| 145 163 |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Visual Impairments/Blind, K-12 |
Step Four: Louisiana Application Requirements
TeachLouisiana provides potential teachers with an interactive Q&A tool that offers candidates a comprehensive explanation of the application process, individually tailored to their background and level of certification.
Teach LA Talent Recruitment System
The Louisiana DOE’s Talent Recruitment System provides teachers with access to job vacancies within Louisiana parishes/local schools. After registering for an account, teachers are able to contact specific districts directly and are notified of job vacancies that match their background, certification(s) and teaching experience.
Louisiana Certification Reciprocity
Louisiana accepts teaching credentials from other states. Contact the Louisiana Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
Louisiana Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Louisiana provides differential pay for teachers teaching in high-needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Louisiana has strong induction policies in place which include professional development, training, and mentoring programs
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $48,310
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $50,700
- Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15
Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.
Louisiana Certification Resources & Links
1201 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
1-877-453-2721
- TeachLouisiana
- Teach LA Talent Recruitment System
- Louisiana Teacher Tenure
- Types of Teaching Certification in Louisiana
- Troops to Teachers Louisiana: In Louisiana, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Louisiana and Arkansas Region Office
- Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring and online prep.
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