Top 11 After School Teacher Certifications

Certifications are important for an after school teacher in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development, provide evidence of knowledge and expertise in their field, and can increase an individual's employability. Certifications also show employers that an after school teacher is committed to staying up-to-date on best practices and has a greater understanding of the subject matter they teach. Additionally, certifications can be used to gain access to higher-level positions or salary increases.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for After School Teachers and explain how these certifications can help an After School Teacher advance in their career.

What are After School Teacher Certifications?

After school teacher certification is a specific type of teaching credential that allows individuals to teach in after school programs. After school teachers are responsible for providing educational, recreational, and social opportunities for children in kindergarten through middle school. The goal of the certification is to equip after school teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality instruction and learning experiences for their students.

The certification is typically offered by a state's Department of Education or a local governing body. It requires successful completion of a coursework program focused on topics such as child development, instructional strategies, behavior management, curriculum development, classroom management, and more. It also includes hands-on experience in an after school setting as part of the course requirements.

Having an after school teacher certification may help an individual stand out from other applicants when seeking employment in an after school program. It demonstrates that they have obtained the specialized knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with children in this environment. It can also provide additional credibility when applying for positions at schools or other organizations that serve children outside of traditional classroom settings. Additionally, it may be used to obtain certification or licensure in some states that require credentials beyond a basic teaching license in order to work with students outside of normal classroom hours.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of online teacher certification courses to complete your post-secondary education. These courses are often more affordable than traditional on-campus courses, and they can be completed at your own pace. Additionally, many of these programs offer flexible schedules so you can complete the coursework while still managing your other responsibilities.

Related: What does an After School Teacher do?

Top 11 After School Teacher Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to After School Teachers today.

1. Teaching Certificate

A Teaching Certificate is a credential that certifies an individual to teach in a specific area. It typically requires the completion of an approved teacher training program, and may also require passing tests or meeting other requirements. The certificate is issued by the state, school district, or college/university where the teacher will be employed.

The amount of time it takes to get a Teaching Certificate depends on the type of certificate and the requirements for obtaining it. Typically, it can take anywhere from one to four years to complete all of the necessary coursework and exams. In some cases, additional courses may be required after the initial certification has been obtained.

To obtain a Teaching Certificate, individuals must first complete an approved teacher training program. This program typically includes courses in curriculum development, classroom management, instructional strategies, assessment techniques, and educational technology. After completing this program, individuals must usually pass a series of tests that demonstrate their knowledge of teaching methods and curriculum content. Depending on the state or school district where they are applying for certification, additional requirements may need to be met before certification is granted.

The cost of obtaining a Teaching Certificate varies depending on the type and length of program chosen as well as any additional fees associated with testing or other requirements. Generally speaking, costs can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on these factors.

2. Special Education Certification

Special Education Certification is a credential that allows individuals to teach students with disabilities. It typically requires completion of an approved teacher preparation program and passing scores on the appropriate state licensure exams.

How long does it take to get Special Education Certification?

The amount of time it takes to obtain Special Education Certification varies depending on the individual's educational background, state requirements, and the type of certification sought. Generally, it takes at least two years of full-time study to complete a Bachelor's degree in education or special education with a concentration in special education, plus additional coursework and/or field experiences related to teaching students with disabilities. After completing the required courses and field experiences, individuals must pass their state's licensure exams for special education before they can be certified as a special education teacher.

How do you get Special Education Certification?

In order to become certified as a special education teacher, individuals must first complete an approved teacher preparation program that includes coursework in general and special education topics as well as field experiences. They must then pass their state's licensure exams for special education before they can be certified as a special education teacher.

How much does Special Education Certification cost?

The cost of obtaining Special Education Certification varies depending on the individual’s educational background and the type of certification sought. Costs may include tuition for college courses, fees for licensure exams, books and other materials needed for coursework, travel expenses related to field experiences, etc.

3. Early Childhood Education Certification

Early Childhood Education Certification is a professional credential that verifies an individual has met the educational and experience requirements to work in early childhood education. This certification is typically required for individuals who want to teach preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary school.

It usually takes between one and two years to complete the certification process. To get certified, you must first complete an accredited program in Early Childhood Education. Depending on the program, this can involve taking classes online or attending classes at a college or university. After completing your degree program, you will need to pass a comprehensive exam in order to become certified.

The cost of obtaining Early Childhood Education Certification varies depending on your chosen program and institution. Generally speaking, costs can range from $500-$2,000 for tuition and fees associated with the courses needed for certification. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the certification exam itself as well as any materials needed for study purposes (e.g., textbooks).

4. Reading and Literacy Certification

Reading and Literacy Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of reading and literacy. It is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the area of reading instruction, assessment, and intervention. This certification is offered by the International Reading Association (IRA).

It typically takes between one to two years to complete the requirements for Reading and Literacy Certification. To get certified, individuals must first become an IRA member, then complete an approved course in reading instruction or assessment, pass a comprehensive exam, and submit a portfolio that includes evidence of their work in the field.

The cost for Reading and Literacy Certification varies depending on whether you are already an IRA member or not. For non-members, it costs $295 plus any additional fees associated with taking the required courses or exams. For existing members, it costs $195 plus any additional fees associated with taking the required courses or exams.

5. Mathematics Instructional Certification

Mathematics Instructional Certification is a credential that allows educators to teach mathematics in K-12 classrooms. It is a state-level certification, meaning the requirements and qualifications vary from state to state.

In general, most states require prospective teachers to have a bachelor’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of mathematics coursework, as well as passing scores on their state’s teacher licensing exams. Additionally, some states may require applicants to complete an approved teacher preparation program or additional coursework in pedagogy or educational technology.

The amount of time it takes to get Mathematics Instructional Certification varies depending on the individual’s prior experience and education. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one year to several years to complete the necessary requirements for certification.

To obtain Mathematics Instructional Certification, individuals must first meet the minimum qualifications set by their state. This includes completing any required coursework and passing any necessary exams. Once these requirements are met, applicants must then submit an application for certification with their state board of education or department of education. Depending on the state, there may be additional steps such as background checks or fingerprinting that need to be completed before certification is granted.

The cost associated with obtaining Mathematics Instructional Certification also varies from state to state. In addition to tuition costs for any required courses, applicants may also need to pay fees for tests and applications as well as other administrative costs associated with obtaining certification.

6. Science Instructional Certification

Science Instructional Certification is a type of certification that allows an individual to teach science in a K-12 setting. It is typically required for teachers who wish to teach science at the middle or high school level.

The process of obtaining Science Instructional Certification varies by state, but generally involves completing a bachelor’s degree in science or education, passing a series of tests, and completing a teacher preparation program. The length of time it takes to obtain Science Instructional Certification can range from one year to several years depending on the individual’s educational background and the requirements of their particular state.

In order to obtain Science Instructional Certification, individuals must first complete a bachelor’s degree in either science or education. After this, they must pass the Praxis II Subject Assessment test for their desired subject area (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics). Following this, they must complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass any additional tests that may be required by their state.

The cost of obtaining Science Instructional Certification varies based on the individual’s educational background and the requirements of their particular state. Generally speaking, individuals should expect to pay for tuition and fees associated with their undergraduate degree as well as any testing fees associated with the Praxis II Subject Assessment test and any other tests required by their state.

7. Social Studies Instructional Certification

Social Studies Instructional Certification is a certification that allows an individual to teach social studies in a public school setting. This certification is typically required by most states, and it can take anywhere from one year to three years to complete the requirements for the certification.

In order to get Social Studies Instructional Certification, individuals must first have a bachelor's degree in an area of social studies or education. Then they must complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass the relevant state exams. Depending on the state, additional coursework may be required as well.

The cost of obtaining Social Studies Instructional Certification varies depending on the state and institution offering the program. Generally, tuition costs range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a two-year program or $10,000 to $30,000 for a three-year program. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with taking the necessary exams and obtaining any additional certifications or endorsements.

8. English Language Learner (ELL) Certification

English Language Learner (ELL) Certification is a credential that allows a teacher to teach English as a second language in the United States. The certification is designed to help teachers who are teaching English as a second language to students who are not native speakers of English.

In order to become ELL certified, a teacher must complete an approved program of study that includes courses in linguistics, language acquisition, and instructional methods for teaching English as a second language. The length of the program varies depending on the institution offering it, but typically takes two years or more to complete.

To get ELL certification, teachers must first complete their approved program of study and then pass an exam administered by their state's department of education or other authorized agency. The cost of the exam varies from state to state but is typically between $100 and $200.

Once all requirements have been met, the teacher will receive their ELL certification and be eligible for employment teaching English as a second language in public schools or other educational institutions.

9. Technology Integration Specialist Certification

Technology Integration Specialist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to integrate technology into their workplace. This certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge of the latest trends and technologies, as well as their ability to implement them in a variety of settings. The certification process usually takes around 6-12 months, depending on the individual’s experience and the type of program they choose.

In order to get certified, individuals must first complete an approved training program or course. These courses can be found at universities, colleges, technical schools or through online providers. Once the course is completed, individuals must pass an exam administered by a recognized organization such as CompTIA or Microsoft. After passing the exam, individuals receive their Technology Integration Specialist Certification.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the type of program chosen and any additional fees associated with taking the exam. Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$2,000 USD for tuition and exam fees combined.

10. Art Education Certification

Art Education Certification is a professional credential that recognizes a teacher’s ability to effectively teach art in the classroom. It is issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and requires successful completion of a rigorous assessment process.

The assessment process typically takes about two years to complete and includes both written tests and portfolio reviews. The written tests assess knowledge of teaching strategies, curriculum development, classroom management, student assessment, and more. The portfolio review assesses the quality of students’ artwork and the teacher’s ability to integrate art into the curriculum.

To get Art Education Certification, you must first meet certain requirements such as having a bachelor’s degree in art education or related field, completing an approved teacher preparation program, passing a background check, and completing an application. Once these requirements are met, you will be eligible to take the NBPTS assessment process.

The cost of Art Education Certification varies depending on your state but can range from $2,000-$4,000. This cost includes fees for registration, testing materials, portfolio reviews, and other costs associated with taking the assessment process.

11. Music Education Certification

Music Education Certification is a process in which an individual obtains certification from the state or local government to teach music in public schools. This certification is required for those who wish to teach music in public schools, and it is also beneficial for those who wish to pursue a career in music education.

The length of time it takes to obtain Music Education Certification depends on the state or local government that you are applying through. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete the process.

To get certified, you must first complete a Bachelor’s degree program in Music Education or a related field. Once you have completed your degree, you must then pass the Praxis II test, which is an exam specifically designed for potential teachers. After passing this exam, you will then need to submit your application and any other necessary documents to the state or local government that you are applying through.

The cost of obtaining Music Education Certification varies depending on the state or local government that you are applying through. Generally speaking, there may be fees associated with taking the Praxis II test as well as any other necessary documents that need to be submitted along with your application. Additionally, some states may require additional fees such as background checks and fingerprinting before they will issue your certification.

Do You Really Need a After School Teacher Certificate?

When it comes to deciding whether or not to pursue an after school teacher certificate, there are many factors to consider. It is important to ask yourself if the time and effort that would go into obtaining the certification is worth it for your desired career path.

If you want to teach after school programs but do not have a degree in education, then a certificate may be beneficial. It will demonstrate that you have taken the time and effort to become knowledgeable in teaching practices and educational strategies. It can also give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Additionally, some states require teachers of certain after school programs to obtain an after school teacher certificate before they can be hired.

On the other hand, if you already have a degree in education or significant teaching experience, then a certificate may not be necessary. The extra knowledge gained from obtaining the certification may not necessarily make you a more effective teacher, so it may not be worth your time and money to pursue it.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to get an after school teacher certificate depends on your individual situation and career goals. If you think that the benefits of obtaining one outweigh the costs, then pursuing this type of certification may be beneficial for your career development.

Related: After School Teacher Resume Examples

FAQs About After School Teacher Certifications

1. What is an After School Teacher Certification?

Answer: An After School Teacher Certification is a professional development training program that provides teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach in after-school programs. The certification focuses on topics such as child development, curriculum planning, classroom management, and more.

2. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time required for certification varies depending on the program chosen. Most programs require at least 20 hours of instruction and assessment, but some may require more or less.

3. Is there an exam I need to pass?

Answer: Yes, many after school teacher certification programs require participants to complete an assessment or final examination in order to be certified.

4. Do I need any special qualifications?

Answer: Generally speaking, most after school teacher certification programs do not have specific qualifications other than being a licensed teacher and having experience working with children in a school setting.

5. What are the benefits of getting certified?

Answer: Being certified as an after school teacher can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in this field and demonstrate your commitment to providing quality education for students in after-school settings. Additionally, many employers recognize and value the specialized skillset acquired through this certification program.