By Oklahoma state law, for a paraprofessional or an emergency certified teacher to teach, they must have a bachelor’s degree, have worked one year as a paraprofessional/emergency certified teacher, pass the Oklahoma state certification exams, and complete a minimum of 12 hours of specified coursework.
To help Oklahoma teachers earn their education, Mid-America Christian University is proud to offer two unique online pathways for paraprofessionals (teaching assistants) to obtain Elementary or Early Childhood Alternative Education Certification.
In addition, all students who enroll in one of these options can receive MACU’s 10% Oklahoma Teacher Discount! Students will need to demonstrate that they have a current Oklahoma certification or are employed in an Oklahoma School District.
Learn More About Earning Teacher Certification at MACU
As you prepare to earn your certification at MACU, our enrollment counselors are ready to assist you. Please take a look at this downloadable overview of your options in MACU’s School of Teacher Education. Don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing [email protected] or calling 888-888-2341 if you have any questions.
If You Do Not Have a Bachelor’s Degree:
If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue one of two undergraduate degree options at MACU:
- Psychology with an Educational Studies concentration
- Interdisciplinary Studies with an Educational Studies concentration
Educational Studies Concentration Courses
EDUC 3103 Educational Psychology
EDUC 3123 Foundations of Literacy
EDUC 3303 Development Across the Life Span
EDUC 4223 Students with Exceptionalities
EDUC 4233 Instructional Strategies and Management
MATH 2203 Math for Teachers I
If You Have a Bachelor’s Degree:
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in MACU’s online Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction. This online program is designed to give paraprofessionals and emergency certified teachers with at least one year of classroom experience, and who have an undergraduate degree, an opportunity to work toward Elementary or Early Childhood Alternative Education Certification.
Curriculum and Instruction Certificate Courses
ED 5131 Orientation to Curriculum and Instruction
Choose Three (9 hours):
Students may choose three of the following courses (9 hours).
ED 5143 Educational Psychology
ED 5163 Classroom Management
ED 5243 Instructional Strategies and Best Practices
ED 5253 Assessment, Data Monitoring, and Applied Practice
ED 5263 Teaching Diverse Learners
Additional Degree Requirements Choose One (3 hours):
Students should choose one of the following courses based on the level of certification they are seeking.
ED 5153 Language Acquisition, Literacy, and Reading (Early Child/Elementary) OR
ED 5173 Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum (Secondary/Post-Secondary)