The timeline to become a certified teacher in Washington, D.C. can vary depending on several factors, including your education and the type of certification you’re pursuing.
Both the traditional and alternative certification pathways require a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years of full-time study to earn (or longer if enrolled part time).
Those who have already completed their bachelor’s degree and would like to transition into teaching (or if you are already teaching and want to gain your standard licensure or full certification), will need to complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP) like that offered by Moreland University, an approved EPP in the District of Columbia.
While these programs can take more than a year to complete with coursework and field experience, Moreland offers an accelerated pathway that empowers you to complete your EPP requirement in just 9 months (including 12 weeks of clinical learning/ student teaching).
Before applying for certification, you’ll also need to pass the required Praxis certification exams and complete an FBI background check. The time it takes to prepare for and pass the certification exams can vary, as can the processing time for background checks.