LSU is a leader in teacher education reform. Extensive research and practice support varied ways to become certified as a teacher: a bachelor’s program, a master’s program, and a post-baccalaureate nondegree program.    Students may choose from a bachelor’s program in the college, in the College of Agriculture, in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, in the College of Music & Dramatic Arts, or in the College of Science. Students may also choose to pursue a five-year master’s program offered by the College of Human Sciences and Education for certification in grades 1-5 or a fifth year master’s program for certification in grades 6-12 (English, mathematics, science, or social studies). Students interested in special education / elementary grades certification should contact the Office of Student Services.

Regardless of the route chosen, students will find that teacher education at LSU links contemporary research and practice, focuses on preparing teachers for a culturally diverse world, provides early and extended experiences in diverse educational settings, incorporates instructional technology, and prepares P-12 teachers who truly understand children, content, and pedagogy. The program’s focus is to prepare educators to be effective professionals, inquiring pedagogues, and reflective practitioners.

Bachelor's Programs: Initial Teacher Certification

Undergraduate students eager to complete their education in four years may find the bachelor's programs most attractive. The College of Human Sciences and Education offers undergraduate programs leading to certification in grades 1-5, grades PK-3, grades 6-12, and grades K-12. The college collaborates with the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the College of Science in concentrations leading to certification in grades 6-12. The College of Agriculture offers an undergraduate program in grades 6-12 (agricultural education). The College of Music and Dramatic Arts offers undergraduate programs in grades K-12 (instrumental music and vocal music). Depending upon the area and level of certification desired, students earn bachelor’s degrees from the College of Human Sciences and Education, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, or the College of Science and attain Louisiana Teacher Certification in programs that combine general education, an area of focus, professional education courses, and practical experiences. These programs are designed for students who know early in their college careers that they want to become teachers and who want to enter the profession immediately, following receipt of the bachelor’s degree. Programs feature early and extensive connections between university-based and field-based learning and include at least one semester of full-time, professionally supervised student teaching.

Master's Program: Initial Teacher Certification

Students who wish to spend extended time developing the expertise to enter the teaching profession with an enhanced capacity for leadership may choose the master's program which includes a full year of graduate-level professional preparation and full-time professionally supervised student teaching.

Students earn a master's degree and Louisiana Teacher Certification by completing 36 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree. The program features extended experiences in diverse school settings, the support of peers who work together in small cohort groups, mentoring by graduate faculty, and the development of teacher-researcher skills.

For more information about teacher certification, please contact the Office of Student Services, or consult the LSU General Catalog.