Professional Certification Information

If you are not a resident of Maryland, and you are taking a course or program leading to professional certification, Goucher College recommends that you consult with the appropriate licensing agency or board in your state or territory prior to beginning your course of study to determine the certification requirements of that state.  Graduates of Goucher programs and completers of certificates that are approved to lead to licensure, endorsement, or certification may be subject to additional requirements for the receipt of initial licensure, endorsement, or certification in the state in which they live or intend to teach or administrate.

To obtain information for out-of-state certification, please contact the Department of Education within the state in which you are seeking licensure. Visit the United States Department of Education website and select the particular state of interest for certification requirements and application procedures.

Educational Requirements for professional certification as a teacher

Goucher College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  Its undergraduate and graduate programs in education are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and lead to teaching certification in the State of Maryland.

We will ordinarily accept students into the M.A.T. program who reside in MD, PA, VA, DE, NJ, and DC. Applications of students from other states will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Goucher programs listed below meet the educational requirements for professional certification as a teacher in Maryland, whether instruction is delivered online or in person by Goucher:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) [eligible for secondary education certification]
• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

**Goucher has not made a determination whether the curriculum meets educational requirements for certification as a teacher in any other state.

However, because the State of Maryland is a part of NASDTEC, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, an educator who completes an approved program and/or an educator who holds a certificate or license in Maryland is eligible to earn a certificate or license in another state.  For example, a teacher who completed an approved educator preparation program in Maryland like Goucher’s program will be able to seek certification in Florida. Receiving states may impose certain special requirements, such as a specific state test, which must be met in a reasonable period of time. Educators wishing to relocate to other states are encouraged to visit the NASDTEC website to view the certification requirements for each state.  

Only three states; New Mexico, New York, and South Dakota, are not part of the NASDTEC Agreement; however, in those states students who have completed a teacher preparation program at Goucher are eligible to seek a teaching certificate as well, provided they meet additional certification requirements specified by those states.

Educational requirements for professional certification as an Administrator I [e.g. assistant principals]

The Goucher programs listed below meet the educational requirements for professional certification as an Administrator in Maryland, whether delivered online or in person by Goucher.

• Master of Arts in Education (M.Ed.)
• Professional Development Certificate           

**Goucher has not made a determination whether the curriculum meets educational requirements for certification as an Administrator in any other state.

Educational requirements for professional certification as a reading specialist

The Goucher programs listed below meet the educational requirements for professional certification as a reading specialist in Maryland, whether delivered online or in person by Goucher.

• Masters in Education (M.Ed.)
• Professional Development Certificate

**Goucher has not made a determination whether the curriculum meets educational requirements for certification as a reading specialist in any other state.

You may also reach out to the Welch Center for assistance if you have questions about professional certification.