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Guidelines and Competencies for Private Academic Teacher Certification

  • Health Certificate
  • College education:
    • All areas of certification (except Assistant nursery/kindergarten) require a bachelor's degree and:
      • Nursery/kindergarten: 24 credits in early childhood, child development, or elementary education
      • Elementary education (grades K-8): 18 credits in elementary education content area
      • K-12 subject areas (see chart below): 6 credits in education theory and 18 in the subject area of application
      • Secondary education (grades 9-12): 6 credits in education theory and 18 in the subject area of application
      • Special education areas (grades K-12): 6 credits in education theory and 18 in special education
    • Assistant nursery/kindergarten: minimum of 2 years college education (60 credits) with 24 credits in early childhood, child development or elementary education
    • Maximum of 3 college credits based on CLEP tests can be accepted toward content area credits
Area of Certification
Sample Competency Areas
(18 content credits)
Grades "C" and above required
Recommended Number of Competencies
Art K-12
  • Studio art (graphics, drawing, painting, sculpting, dimensional design, ceramics, jewelry, metals, photography, printmaking, etc.)
  • Art history
  • Art criticism
4 studio art areas and 1 other competency area
Biology 9-12
  • Molecular and cellular biology
  • Genetics
  • Ecology
  • Technology development re: biology
  • Organisms
3
Chemistry 9-12
  • Atomic theory
  • Chemical concepts and applications
  • Inorganic
  • Organic
  • Thermodynamics/kinetics
  • Laboratory activities
3
Communication 9-12
  • Speech/language
  • Literature
  • Theater
  • Media
  • Communications process/theory
3
Computer Education K-12
  • Software applications
  • Document creation
  • Operating systems
  • Computer hardware/peripherals
  • Keyboard techniques
  • Computer security
3
Earth & Space Science 9-12
  • Physical Geology
  • Oceanography
  • Meteorology
  • Astronomy and Space Science
  • Historical Geology
3
Elementary K-8
  • Elementary methods classes for:
  • Reading/children's literature
  • Social studies
  • Math
  • Science
  • Art
  • Music
  • Inclusion/special education
1 reading/literature methods

  1. math methods
  2. other competency areas
English 9-12
  • Composition/writing
  • Literature/reading
  • Language/linguistics
  • Speaking
3
Family & Consumer Sciences K-12
  • Parenting/child development
  • Food/nutrition/wellness
  • Family relationships
  • Family resource management
  • Career/community/family connections
  • Family and consumer science philosophy
3
Foreign (World) Languages K-12
  • Communication (speaking/writing)
  • Language structure
  • Culture
  • Studies of country of selected language
3 in the specific language (Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Russian or Spanish)
General Business 9-12
  • Computer/information technology
  • Accounting
  • Management/marketing
  • Business communications
  • Career planning
  • Economics/law/personal finance
  • International business
3 with: computer/information technology (2 courses); accounting (2 courses); and 1 other competency area
General Science 9-12
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth and space
All 4
Health K-12
  • Personal health
  • Community health
  • Sex education
  • Wellness
  • Diseases/disorders
  • Anatomy/physiology
  • Human development
3
History 9-12
  • History
  • Geography
  • Political science
  • Economics
3
Industrial Arts/Technology Education K-12
  • Biotechnical systems
  • Informational systems
  • Physical systems
  • Tools, machines, materials and processing
  • Design and engineering
  • Economics enterprise
3
Mathematics 9-12
  • Calculus
  • Number theory
  • Geometry
  • Algebra
  • Statistics
  • Discrete mathematics
3
Music K-12
  • Study of music/music theory
  • Aural skills
  • Vocal skills (necessary)
  • Instrumental skills (necessary)
  • Conducting
3
Nursery/Kindergarten
  • Child development
  • Early childhood methodology
  • Language development
  • Exceptional children
  • Marriage and family
  • Child psychology
  • Nutrition/safety
3 early childhood curriculum/methods courses and 2 other competency areas
Physical Education K-12
  • Physical education topics (personal fitness, movement, gymnastics, aquatics, individual/team sports, dance, outdoor/adventure activities)
  • Adaptive physical education
  • Anatomy
  • Kinesiology
4 physical education topics and 1 other competency area
Physics 7-12
  • Mechanics
  • Electricity/magnetic
  • Contemporary physics
  • Atomic/nuclear
  • Wave properties
  • Laboratory activities
3
Reading Teacher K-12
  • Reading/language arts
  • Literacy at all levels
  • Phonics
2
Social Studies 9-12
  • History
  • Political science
  • Geography
  • Economics
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
4
Special Education (Speech Correction) K-12
  • Models/theories of typical/atypical growth/behaviors
  • Human communication
  • Therapeutic intervention for disorders
  • Administration of assessments
  • Impact of disability on academic function
  • Auditory screening
  • Collaboration with partners
4
Special Education (Visually Impaired) K-12
  • Models/theories of typical/atypical growth/behaviors
  • Impact of disability on academic function
  • Disability unique methods to acquire academic skills
  • Development of independent life skills
  • Administration of assessments
  • Collaboration with partners
4
Special Education (Hearing Impaired) K-12
  • Models/theories of typical/atypical growth/behaviors
  • Aspects of deafness and corrective measures for instruction
  • Amplification
  • Effect of hearing loss on language
  • Legal regulations re: deaf
  • Placement options dictated by IEP
  • Collaboration with partners
4
Special Education (Learning Disabled, Mentally Retarded, Physically Handicapped, Socially/Emotionally Disturbed) K-12
  • Models/theories of typical/atypical growth/behaviors
  • Characteristics of disabled student
  • Impact of disability on academic function
  • Formal/informal assessment tools
  • Legal regulations re: special education
  • Development/implementation of IEP
  • Transition planning for lifespan of student
  • Assistive/instructional technologies
4