Become a Teacher in Kansas

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/10/2018

This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Kansas.

To become a certified teacher in Kansas, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

• Step One: Complete a bachelor’s degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
• Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Step Three: Pass required exams.
• Step Four: Submit a Kansas teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: Kansas Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Kansas, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Learn more about getting your MAT online with USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Kansas Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.

Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the state of Kansas, visit our Kansas Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose Bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Visit the Kansas Department of Education website to find out more.

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Step Three: Kansas Required Tests

Kansas does not require teaching candidates to take a Basic Skills Assessment.

To become a state-certified teacher, Kansas requires that all teaching candidates pass a Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) assessment and Content Assessment test(s) appropriate to their certification area(s).

Step Four: Kansas Applications Requirements

The Kansas State Department of Education requires the following for all applicants pursuing their Kansas teaching license:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university
• Successful completion of a state-approved teacher program
• Applicant must have completed 8 credit hours or one year of accredited teaching within the previous 6 years
• Successful completion of the Pedagogy Assessment and Content Assessment(s) assigned to desired areas of certification

Background Check

All applicants for teaching licenses must have a fingerprint background check.  Visit the Kansas Department of Education website for more information.

KEEB’s Kansas Teaching Jobs website is an online job board that provides potential teaching candidates access to available teaching jobs within Kansas public schools. The recruitment service is free to register, and applicants can access job opportunities, information on licenses, resources for tuition and scholarship programs, and resume/career services assistance.

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Kansas Certification Reciprocity

Kansas will accept some teaching credentials from all but the following states: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont. Contact the Kansas State Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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