Seeking Endorsement

If you already have a current Class I or II Montana teaching certification/licensure and you desire to add an endorsement in another teaching content area, you have three options, depending on your situation:

 

Option #1

You can return to MSU and take appropriate coursework to meet Montana certification requirements.

Steps:

  1. …contact the MSU FPL Office http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/  to receive guidance for an assessment process including:
    •  …self-assessment of prior coursework and description of any requested substitution classes using the appropriate Licensure/Endorsement Assessment Tool: http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/licensure/addedendorsements.html
    •  …development of a plan of study by MSU content expert (transcript needed for courses not completed through MSU/Bozeman)
  2. …register as an MSU non-degree graduate student
  3. ...successfully meet all requirements, including demonstrating proficient content knowledge (PRAXIS, content GPA, Content Knowledge Assessment)  http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/documents/PDFs/Montana_Assessment_for_Content_Knowledge_Verification.pdf
  4. …receive a University Recommendation sent to Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) from MSU

Option #2

If you have a) three years teaching experience, b) have completed or are enrolled in six credits from the new content area, c) are employed as a Montana teacher, and d) will be teaching at least one course in the new content area, you may be eligible for a Board of Public Education Internship.  This internship is granted by OPI for one year and can be offered for 2 additional years as long as you are making adequate progress towards the completion of your program http://opi.mt.gov/cert/FAQ/faq.html#endorsement

Steps:

  1. …complete and submit the MSU-FPLO_Application
  2. …have a school administrator complete the School District Verification form
  3.  …complete the OPI_Teaching_Endorsement_Internship_Program_Application
  4. …contact the MSU FPL Office http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/  to receive guidance for an assessment process including:
    •  …self-assessment of prior coursework and description of any requested substitution classes using the appropriate Licensure/Endorsement Assessment Tool: http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/licensure/addedendorsements.html
    •  …development of a plan of study by MSU content expert (transcript needed for courses not completed through MSU/Bozeman)
  5. …apply to MSU/Bozeman: http://www.montana.edu/admissions/apply.html
  6. …register for courses from MSU or another nationally accredited university program: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
  7. …enroll in the online CEEX 280 BPE Internship course
  8. …successfully meet all requirements in three years (including passing all course work with a “C” or better, meeting PRAXIS required score, and submitting a successful teacher work sample)
  9. …receive a University Recommendation sent to OPI from MSU

(Option #2 is not applicable to library interns; for library internship information, contact Ann Ewbank [email protected])

Option #3

You may apply for Class V provisional certification/licensure to add the endorsement.  However, a Class V is non-renewable and can only be used one time, no exceptions.  A Class V allows you to teach in the content area and gives you three years to complete the plan of study.

Steps:

  1. …contact the MSU FPL Office http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/  to receive guidance for an assessment process including:
    •  …self-assessment of prior coursework and description of any requested substitution classes using the appropriate Licensure/Endorsement Assessment Tool: http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/licensure/addedendorsements.html
    •  …development of a plan of study by MSU content expert (transcript needed for courses not completed through MSU/Bozeman)
  2. … apply to MSU/Bozeman or take courses from another nationally accredited university program: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
  3. ...successfully meet all requirements within three years, including demonstrating proficient content knowledge (PRAXIS, content GPA, Content Knowledge Assessment) http://www.montana.edu/fieldplacement/documents/PDFs/Montana_Assessment_for_Content_Knowledge_Verification.pdf
  4. …receive a University Recommendation sent to OPI from MSU