Overview

As with all professions, specialized training is a prerequisite to specialized practice. However, due to a critical shortage of qualified teachers in some endorsement areas within Montana,  the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) in cooperation with Montana State University (MSU), offers added endorsement to already licensed teachers meeting certain criteria the option to add a one-time only Class 5 Provisional Teaching License. The program is referred to as Class 5 Added Endorsement. This program is available for licensed teachers who are seeking to add an endorsement, and for those individuals in the advanced programs of library media, principal K-12, superintendent, and school counseling. The program relies on Montana school district personnel to recommend candidates and contribute ongoing support and a field supervisor (usually the school district principal).  

The Class 5 added endorsement categories that MSU sponsors are: 

  •  Early Childhood-P3
  • Elementary K-8
  • Secondary Education 5-12 and K-12 (see NOTE)
  • Principal K-12
  • Superintendent
  • Library Media Certificate K-12
  • Master’s Family and Consumer Sciences (see NOTE)
  • School Counselor

MSU does not sponsor any other endorsement categories. 

Eligibility

The first step in determining if you are a candidate for the Class 5 added endorsement route is to contact Jamie O’Callaghan, ([email protected]) Post Baccalaureate Specialist.  She will guide individuals through a Licensure Endorsement Assessment Tool (LEAT) process.  This process ascertains whether a candidate meets OPI’s and as well as the MSU eligibility requirements for the program:

  •  Hold a current Class 1 or 2 Montana teaching license
  • School district verification of a teacher contract or pending contract.

How to Apply for the Class 5 Added Endorsement Program

Applications are accepted in the fall.  Deadline date is September 1st.  Prior to applying for the Class 5 endorsement status/program, we ask that you contact our Post Baccalaureate Specialist, Jamie O'Callaghan, [email protected], who will guide you through the process.   We do not accept applications until potential candidates complete this procedure  with our Post Baccalaureate Specialist. All the details of the Class 5 program are available in the Class 5 Added Endorsement Handbook.

Class 5 Added Endorsement Program Handbook

 

IMPORTANT:  The information on this webpage is specific to those individuals who hold a bachelor's degree, or post-baccalaureate.  If you are interested in the Class 5 Added Endorsement for master’s or advanced programs, please contact those programs directly at these websites:

 

NOTE:  Post-Baccalaureate individuals seeking an added endorsement in Family and Consumer Sciences will follow the LEAT process.  Otherwise, those seeking a Master’s in Family and Consumer Sciences should contact that department directly.