Alternative Placement (Certification) Program

To apply for the alternative certification program (housed in NWOSU's graduate studies department):

1. Apply for Admission or Readmission to NWOSU

• Send in official transcripts
• Complete immunization form
• All official E-transcripts must be submitted by the issuing institution to Sheri Lahr at sklahr@nwosu.edu or Teri Warren at tlwarren@nwosu.edu to be considered official.  Mail official transcripts to NWOSU-Registrar 709 Oklahoma Blvd.  Alva, OK 73717

2. Apply to Graduate Studies Alternative Certification Program of Study.  This application requires two documents to be uploaded.  If you do not have one, simply upload the same one twice or a blank document.

3. Once accepted to the university and graduate studies, meet with Dr. Jen Oswald, program advisor, for individual advisement and plan of study.

NWOSU Plan of Study for Individuals Seeking
Alternative Teaching Certification

Northwestern Oklahoma State University supports individuals seeking alternative certification and strives to prepare individuals for success as educators.  The Division of Education provides classes through the Curriculum and Instruction graduate program, which is designed to meet the needs of those who are alternatively or emergency certified.  (No prior educational knowledge expected.)

Individuals can:

1. Elect to take individual courses at the graduate level from the Curriculum and Instruction plan of study to meet additional coursework required by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  Completion of graduate-level courses may move an individual across the salary schedule to earn more money.
2. Complete a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, which provides a deeper understanding of teaching through the study of curriculum and pedagogy.  In addition to being better prepared to teach, the completion of the master’s degree places an individual in a higher earning bracket on the salary schedule. 

Either option will meet the state’s alternative certification requirement through Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

To learn more about the classes needed to complete this micro-credential see the information labeled Curriculum Outline, and Alternative Certification Micro-Credentials at https://www.nwosu.edu/graduate-studies/education/curriculum-instruction where you will find the Curriculum Outline, Plans of Study, Graduate Committee Forms, information on Alternative Certification Micro-Credentials in Graduate Education and more.