Alternative Teaching Licensure
If you already have a degree and life experience, you can pivot into the classroom faster. Shawnee State's Alternative Teaching Licensure runs the Alternative Resident Educator Institute (AREI) and the Professional Development Institute (PDI) - two paths to PreK-12 teaching in Ohio.
Program Overview
The Alternative Teaching Licensure program hosts curriculum for two pathways to teaching in the classroom – the Alternative Resident Educator Institute (AREI) and the Professional Development Institute (PDI). The program allows students to use their existing knowledge and life experience to apply to a variety of topics in teaching fields.
In the Alternative Teaching Licensure program, you will gain the fundamental knowledge to be successful teaching in the classroom. From understanding curriculum planning, assessment, and philosophy of education, the program equips you with what you need to transfer your existing education into a career educating others.
Developed to meet the needs of the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce’s goal to provide a high-quality teacher in every classroom in the state of Ohio, this program ensures students have the professional training needed to provide education to grades Pre-K-12.
Receiving an Alternative Teaching License allows you to apply your existing knowledge, life experience, and career experience, to Ohio students to ensure the delivery of quality education.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Admissions Questions:
Graduate Admissions
Phone: (740) 351-3177
Email: gradadmissions@shawnee.edu
Ebenezer Asiaw
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
(740) 351-3258
easiaw@shawnee.edu
Program Questions:
Jodi Dunham
Title: Director of Graduate Programs
Area: School of Education
Phone: (740) 351-3101
Email: jdunham@shawnee.edu
At A Glance
Alternative Teaching Licensure
Degree
Alternative Teaching Licensure (Ohio)
Length
Varies by pathway and prior coursework
Credits
Varies (see program advising)
Class Size
12:1
Why Study Alternative Teaching Licensure at Shawnee University
Two pathways, one program. AREI and PDI together cover the most common routes into Ohio teaching for career changers and working professionals. Built around your prior work. Coursework is tailored to your previous education so you don't repeat what you already know - your advisor maps a plan to fill what you need. Stackable to a master's. Completing AREI and PDI puts you within 12 additional credit hours of a Shawnee State Master of Education. Asynchronous online. The format is designed for working professionals - you can fit coursework around your job. State-aligned. The program meets the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's standards for placing a high-quality teacher in every Ohio classroom.
Coursework builds the fundamentals you need to step into a PreK-12 classroom: curriculum planning, advanced assessment, multicultural education, technology integration, and philosophy of education.
- Curriculum planning for grades PreK-12
- Advanced assessment practices
- Multicultural education
- Technology integration in the classroom
- Philosophy of education
Coursework includes workshops with experienced faculty and scenario-based learning, so you practice applying education fundamentals to real classroom situations before you face them.
- Plan curriculum for grades PreK-12
- Use assessment and analytics to understand classroom needs and student motivation
- Identify teaching methods that work for diverse student populations
- Translate prior career experience into effective classroom practice
The program is delivered online with asynchronous scheduling so you can complete it while working.
- Classroom teacher in Ohio (PreK-12) with Alternative Resident Educator License
- Career-change educator using existing professional expertise
- Pathway to Ohio professional licensure
- Pathway to a Master of Education (with additional coursework at Shawnee State)
Graduates step into Ohio classrooms across content areas. Many continue on to a Master of Education at Shawnee State by adding 12 credit hours after AREI and PDI.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Alternative Teaching Licensure Frequently Asked Questions
Working professionals and career changers who already have a degree and want to bring their experience into a PreK-12 classroom.
Both lead to Ohio licensure. AREI is the Alternative Resident Educator Institute pathway and PDI is the Professional Development Institute. Your advisor will map you to the right one based on your background.
Yes. Coursework is online and asynchronous, designed around working schedules.
Yes. Completing AREI and PDI puts you within 12 additional credit hours of a Master of Education at Shawnee State.
Program handbook
The Alternative Licensure program is approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Program details and Ohio licensure information are at sboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensure. Contact Dr. Jodi Dunham (jdunham@shawnee.edu, (740) 351-3101) for advising.
Accreditation
Approved program through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
