Small class sizes, high retention rates, and competitive pay — the District of Columbia is a great home for teachers. With Moreland University, you could earn your D.C. teaching certification in as little as 9 months, 100% online.
Established in 2011, Moreland University is a fully accredited, teacher-focused university dedicated to empowering educators and shaping the future of education.
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Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program gives you practical coursework, test preparation, clinical learning (student teaching), and dedicated mentorship — everything you need to succeed in a Washington, D.C., classroom.
Why choose Moreland’s online TEACH-NOW program:
Another pathway to certification in Washington, D.C., is our online M.Ed. with Teaching Credential. This is a 12-month program to help you level up your teaching career.
Why choose Moreland’s online M.Ed. program:
Need help deciding? Our admissions representatives are happy to chat 1:1 about your specific goals, interests, and needs — including financing options via Sallie Mae.
Curious about what it takes to become a certified teacher in Washington, D.C. ? Our comprehensive guide breaks down the key requirements:
General Requirements
Washington, D.C., requires educators to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. That degree does not necessarily have to be in education.
Testing Requirements
Washington, D.C., teachers take the Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Assessments to ensure they meet general and subject-specific knowledge requirements.
Teacher Education Requirements
If your degree is in something other than education, you could earn your certification through an alternative Educator Preparation Program (EPP), such as Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program.
Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is fully accredited and 100% online, with small, diverse classes, dedicated mentors, and clinical learning (student teaching) included.
Thriving School District
District of Columbia Public Schools serves 50,000 students across 117 schools in a tight-knit community. ¹
Diverse Student Body
Fifty-four percent of D.C. students are Black, 22% are Hispanic, and 18% are white. Sixteen percent are English Language Learners. 1
Diverse Educator Workforce
In D.C. classrooms, just under 60% of teachers are teachers of color. At the school leader level, 70% of principals are non-white. 2
Small Classrooms, Strong Relationships
DCPS’ student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1. This allows teachers to devote more time and attention to individual learners. 3
Competitive Teacher Pay
The average starting salary for a D.C. teacher is $64,640 — the highest rate in the nation. The average overall salary is $95,077 (ranked No. 4). 4
High Teacher Retention
The average retention rate in D.C. public schools is 86%, a strong indication that teachers are happy and supported in their careers. 5
Sources: 1 District of Columbia Public Schools, 2 National Center for Education Statistics, 3 U.S. News & World Report, 4 National Education Association, 5 D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […]
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our master's degree programs, including Moreland’s 12-month Master’s in Education (M.Ed.), Master's in Educational Leadership, and Master's in Globalization and Education […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
1 event,
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For TEACH-NOW graduates (or soon-to-be grads) learn how you can earn your M.Ed. in just 3 months with Moreland University. Discover: – Program timeline and structure – M.Ed. specialization options […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
1 event,
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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1 event,
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our master's degree programs, including Moreland’s 12-month Master’s in Education (M.Ed.), Master's in Educational Leadership, and Master's in Globalization and Education […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
1 event,
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
1 event,
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For TEACH-NOW graduates (or soon-to-be grads) learn how you can earn your M.Ed. in just 3 months with Moreland University. Discover: – Program timeline and structure – M.Ed. specialization options […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […]
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
2 events,
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our master's degree programs, including Moreland’s 12-month Master’s in Education (M.Ed.), Master's in Educational Leadership, and Master's in Globalization and Education […]
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Join the Moreland University team for an overview of our certification pathways, including Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and 12-month Master’s in Education with Teaching Credential. Discover: – […] |
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Live Info Sessions
Join one of our live information sessions to discover how Moreland University can help you become a successful and certified teacher in Washington, D.C.
On-Demand Info Session
Can’t wait? Watch our 10-minute on-demand info session now to learn how Moreland can support your U.S. certification journey. At the end, submit any lingering questions and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Moreland University partners with school districts across the United States to support teachers through certification and continuing education programs.
Don’t see your district above? Not currently working in a school district?
No worries! We can still help you achieve teaching certification and success in Washington, D.C. Keep scrolling to discover the Moreland University difference for D.C. teachers.
“With a lot of universities, it’s not the kind of relationship where they’re going to come and actually sit in front of you and have a conversation: ‘Where do you need me? What can I do? How can I make this work?’ With Moreland, I never felt like we were a number.”
Catherine Hale Henry
Recruitment & Retention Manager | Clayton County Public Schools (GA)
“I have seen tremendous growth in my staff as a direct result of the TEACH-NOW program. Completers are standing out as leaders inside and outside the classroom. The increase in student achievement has been outstanding. Sponsoring teachers for the TEACH-NOW program is a wise investment in growing the capacity of your staff.”
Corinne Baez
Principal | Keys Gate Charter Schools (FL)
“I have found Moreland’s program to be rigorous and the curriculum holds a high standard for our teachers to be effectively prepared to enter the classroom. All the staff at Moreland have been collaborative and very easy to work with. We have regular meetings to assess progress and provide information sessions to our educators. The Moreland staff is timely in their communications and very responsive to our needs.”
Brittany Mackel
Instructional Specialist |Montgomery County Public Schools (MD)
“Casa Grande ESD’s collaboration with Moreland University has been immensely beneficial in supporting our teachers’ professional
development. The TEACH-NOW program offers a structured yet flexible
pathway to certification that meets the diverse needs of our educators.
The program’s focus on practical application, combined with the expert guidance from Moreland’s team, enables our teachers to achieve their
certification goals efficiently.”
Stacy Howell
Director Talent Acquisition & Employee Services
Casa Grande Elementary School District #4 (AZ)
“Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program has had a tremendously
positive effect on its participants. Completers of the program are
well-equipped to be highly effective teachers, with the skills and
confidence needed to excel in diverse classroom environments and
positively impact student learning outcomes.”
Nicolas Bardoni
Principal | Downtown Miami Charter School (FL)
“You’re going to walk out of this program with everything you need — even things you didn’t know you needed — in order to be successful in the classroom. TEACH-NOW is for working teachers. You set your schedule, and you have a week to complete assignments. The expectations on assignments are manageable and doable.”
Dileydis Grullon
D.C. teacher
“The program is so well-organized that you really feel like you have support. You have support from your professors, from your advisor. Any question that you might have or any doubt, it’s always answered quickly.”
Linda Suarez
Maryland teacher
“What helped me the most was being able to connect what I learned in class with my real work in schools as a paraeducator — and now as a certified teacher. Everything felt practical and useful.”
Andres Negro
Maryland teacher
“[The accelerated timeline] was a big selling point for me, because all my friends who have done [a master’s degree], it’s 2 to 3 years. And I don’t have 2 to 3 years to spend on another degree, while working full-time.”
Taylor Armijo
Maryland teacher
“Moreland was such a great experience for me. I won’t say it was easy, because it was intense. But it was a very supported process. And every step of the way, from the moment I applied to the moment I graduated, was so well done.”
Patricia Polster
Maryland teacher
“I felt like I was being supported at the same time I was learning. At no point during the process did I feel like I was alone or had to just figure everything out on my own… I would wholeheartedly recommend Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program. Not only is it flexible, not only is it engaging, but it really does prepare you to enter the classroom successfully.”
Jazzmyne Townsend
D.C. teacher
We take great pride in being pioneers of online global teacher education and helping our candidates and alumni thrive.
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You have questions about becoming a certified teacher in Washington, D.C. We have answers.
You could earn your professional Washington, D.C., teaching certification in as little as 9 months with Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program.
TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with small class sizes, dedicated mentors, and clinical learning (student teaching) included.
Tuition for Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is $7,200. There is no cost to apply, and there are no additional costs or fees with Moreland.
We offer monthly payment plans or financing via Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae has loan choices with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options. You can even take advantage of deferred payments while you’re still in school and grace periods after you graduate.
Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is 100% online.
The clinical learning portion (student teaching) can be done in your current classroom.
Moreland is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), among others. Moreland was the first online program to be accredited by CAEP.
Have a different question? Let us know, and we’ll be in touch. We’re happy to chat through your specific goals and needs.