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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Alternative Teaching Certificate (ACCESS)

$375
per credit hour

18
credit hours

$6,750
total cost

If you have an interest in teaching in the classroom and are seeking alternative certification, OBU’s Alternative Teaching Certificate program, also known as ACCESS (Alternative Certification and Credentialing for Elementary and Secondary Schools) is designed to meet your needs. ACCESS offers you online, asynchronous courses that academically prepare you as an educator in your pursuit of alternative certification.

Hailey Rooker

ACCESS Program Student

“The courses I have taken through this program have given me a tremendous amount of first-hand experience from outstanding educators. The curriculum I'm learning helps support me in any situation, from classroom management, reading and math interventions, to being an impactful teacher. OBU faculty genuinely care about their students.”

Benefits of the ACCESS Program at OBU

Quality and Value

In our ACCESS program, you will be equipped with current, research-based content and skills that directly impact P-12 student learning. Our courses focus on pedagogical knowledge and classroom management strategies. By offering competitive pricing and tuition assistance, you can earn a high-quality graduate level certificate at an affordable price.

Convenience

The ACCESS program features fully-online graduate course work. Our one-year program offers you the opportunity to conveniently complete a course every eight weeks. If you are working or teaching full-time, we recognize those demands, and have structured the program to allow you to complete it in a flexible format.

Faculty Experts

As a participant in the program, you will learn first-hand from our outstanding faculty who have decades of combined experience in teaching and leading in public and private schools. You are able to meet with faculty in-person or online for academic assistance. In addition, our faculty provide support for the PPAT certification exam.

Program Information

Tuition and Fees

  • Price per credit hour: $375
  • Credit Hours: 18
  • Total Cost: $6,750
  • No application, enrollment or technology fees

Admission Requirements

  • Application for Admission
  • Official Academic Transcript
  • Statement of Purpose—Please type a writing sample using the prompts below in your student portal or upload the completed statement. (Each part should be approximately 150 words in length.)
    • How did you learn about the ACCESS program?
    • Explain why you are seeking alternative teacher certification.
    • Describe your experience(s) working with P-12 students inside or outside classroom settings.
    • What do you hope to achieve in your career in 5-10 years, and how do you think this program will help you achieve these goals?
  • One Recommendation Form (must be from your principal if you’re currently working at a K-12 school)
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or foreign equivalent as approved by specific program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Official transcript(s) must reflect work from all colleges or universities contributing to your degree. Please send an electronic copy of your official transcript to graduate.info@okbu.edu.
  • Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 admissions standard may apply for Conditional Acceptance into the program.

Students will want to apply for the FAFSA in order to be eligible for various financial assistance opportunities.

Course Information

For your convenience, we offer two program tracks: One for elementary education and one for secondary education. These tracks will help you to succeed if you are currently working under emergency certification, or desiring to become a teacher and need specified coursework to meet requirements for an Oklahoma alternative teaching license.

Additional information, including course descriptions and requirements, is available in the academic catalog.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

In your pursuit of alternative certification, we recommend you apply for FAFSA to assist with the cost of your education. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Specific financial aid options for this program are listed below. If you have further questions, our team of financial counselors are happy to assist you.

Avedis Grant

The Avedis Foundation is a private foundation established in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2012. The name “Avedis” means “bearer of glad tidings or good news.” The Avedis Foundation is a catalyst for positive change with a vision to measurably improve the health, wellness, and quality of life for the people of Pottawatomie County and its surrounding communities.

ACCESS applicants teaching in Pottawatomie County or in Seminole, Meeker, Chandler, Prague, and Little Axe Public Schools are eligible to apply for tuition assistance. Provided by the Avedis Foundation, the tuition assistance covers 50% of the total program cost. Once admitted into the program, and if eligible, you will receive instructions about applying for tuition assistance.

Apply for the Avedis Grant

CPN/OBU Partnership (Citizen Potawatomi Nation)

Vocational Scholarship

CPN citizens in the United States, its territories, and Canada—as of April 2018—qualify for application consideration. Part-time students (11 hours or less per semester, or 95 hours or less per month) receive up to $750 and full-time students up to $2,000.

For students pursuing a vocational degree or technical license, scholarship assistance is available through the CPN Workforce and Social Services department. Students may contact WSS at 405-878-3854 to learn more about this opportunity.

ACCESS Students qualify for $750 per semester.

Classroom Training Grant

The CPN Workforce and Social Services Education Classroom Training Grant is open to citizens of federally recognized tribes in the CPN 5 1/2 county service area (Pottawatomie, Payne, Cleveland, Lincoln, Seminole, and the portion of Oklahoma County east of Post Road). This grant assists with up to $150 (part time) and up to $300 (full-time) towards tuition and/or books of unmet need.

The FAFSA must be filed if the course qualifies. Once your application is completed and approved, all payments are made directly to the school. Contact WSS at 405-878-3854 for more information.

ACCESS Students qualify for $150 per semester.

CPN Department of Education Informational Booklet

Start Dates

As you consider participation in the ACCESS program, you can plan ahead and choose the start date that works best for you.  We offer classes starting every Spring, Summer, and Fall semester.

Spring 2025: 
January 3rd
February 28th 

Summer 2025:
May 2nd
June 27th

Fall 2025: 
August 22nd

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Chair, School of Education
Lawrence C. and Marion Harris Chair of Education
Associate Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Mary A. White Professor of Education

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Associate Professor of Education

Annie Keehn

Annie Keehn

Assistant Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Violet Sturgeon Minton Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education

Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education

Become a Future Shaper

Andy Hayes

Have questions? Fill out the form below or contact the recruitment director, Allie Blevins.

Email: allie.blevins@okbu.edu
Phone: 405.585.4601