Top Questions About Online Math Teacher Certification Programs

If you love working with numbers and want to share this important life skill with the next generation of young people, becoming a math teacher may be for you.

While pursuing a teaching certificate may seem challenging, especially if you are changing careers, the good news is that alternative teacher certification programs have a curriculum in place designed to accommodate students who find themselves in a wide variety of life circumstances. 

Whether you’re looking for a career change, wanting to get back into the workforce after retirement or staying at home with kids, or are looking for another rewarding career after serving in the military, becoming a teacher can be incredibly rewarding. 

Teaching math can open the door to many opportunities since STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is considered to be one of the most in demand teaching jobs in Texas. 

In fact, you may find teaching bonuses and other incentives like educational loan forgiveness from districts across the state of Texas as they compete for the best mathematics teachers. 

If you’re not yet convinced that there is a path for you to become a math teacher, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we encounter about certification programs and the process of earning a teaching certificate.

Do I Qualify For An Alternative Teacher Certification Program?

There is almost always a path for you to earn a certificate to teach mathematics, whether you have an undergraduate degree, work experience or a combination of both. 

It’s important to check with your alternative teacher certification program to determine whether your educational and/or work background qualifies you for that particular program, but in general, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) sets these minimum admissions requirements:

For those who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, you must:

• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on an official transcript from an accredited institution or in the last 60 semester hours of courses attempted.
• If in the final semester of your bachelor’s degree program, you must provide documentation that includes a copy of your final semester schedule of classes, a letter from an academic advisor indicating you are eligible for graduation, and an official transcript through the previous semester.
• Have completed 15 semester credit hours in math or science for teaching 7th grade or above (12 hours for subject areas that are not math or science).

Important note: If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement or the number of semester credit hours in math as outlined above, you can take a TxPACT exam to qualify. 

For those with an associate’s degree, you must:

• Provide proof of your degree
• Have at least two years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past 10 years in the field you plan to teach

For those without a degree, you must: 

• Have five years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past 10 years in the field you plan to teach

Is An Online Program Right For Me?

Online teacher certification programs have their perks, especially if you lead a busy life by working another job, taking care of loved ones or both. 

An online program offers:

• Flexibility. This is one of the biggest benefits in that you can complete math and teacher coursework around YOUR schedule. 
• A comfortable learning environment. Whether you like to study in a coffee shop or in your pajamas, online courses provide an enhanced sense of comfort and ease.
• More choices. Depending on where you live, you may be very limited in what courses you can take in person. Courses offered online allow for geographic flexibility, permitting you to take a class being offered on the other side of Texas without having to leave your home.

While there are many benefits to online programs, it’s important to weigh any negative aspects as well when determining whether an online setting is right for you. Online programs don’t:

• Provide the opportunity for hands-on learning. There is little doubt that teachers who have hands-on training tend to feel more comfortable and have better classroom management skills once they start their first teaching job.
• Promote personalization. More face-to-face interactions can promote better group work skills, more opportunities for networking and better support in the long run. 
• Help with discipline. If you have poor study habits or find yourself distracted by life circumstances (who isn’t?), it may be more helpful to you to enroll in a program where you can focus on one thing at a time while at school.
• Make it easy for those who struggle with tech. Though you’ll likely still need to become familiar with computer programs when enrolled in any teacher certification program, if you do your coursework strictly online and struggle with limited computer skills, instructors will not be readily available to assist with any problems you face. 

So what is the solution if you find yourself liking the benefits of an online program, but disliking the negative aspects that also come with one? Look for an alternative teacher certification program that offers the best of both worlds, like ECAP. 

A program that offers the flexibility of online training and the benefits of face-to-face interaction will capture the right balance and provide a more comprehensive experience for you.

When Should I Take My Content Exams?

That depends on what grade level and math subject area you wish to teach. In Texas, aspiring teachers who want to teach mathematics education can take content exams such as “Mathematics: Grades 4-8” if you wish to teach only middle school. You can also take the content exam, “Mathematics: Grades 7-12” if you are considering teaching middle or high school.

Other options you have include content exams that combine math and science, including “Physics/Mathematics: Grades 7-12” or “”Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering: Grades 6-12.”

It’s important to work with your teacher education program to ensure you are signed up for the correct content exam before you take it to ensure you don’t waste any of your time and money.

How Quickly Can I Get Certified

Working with a top educator preparation program ensures you receive the guidance and support needed to efficiently complete your certification requirements, allowing you to move through the program quickly and start teaching as soon as possible.

Many online alternative certification programs allow you to work at your own pace, but on average, the process can be completed in as little as 4 to 6 months if you already have a bachelor’s degree. The timeline depends on how quickly you complete coursework, pass required exams, and fulfill student teaching or internship requirements.

It’s important that your program includes clear guidelines in the path you can take to accomplish your goals, and be there every step of the way providing the support you need to be successful.