Alternative pathway to licensure
Bluffton University is one of a select number of universities in the state approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to provide coursework and experiences for an alternative pathway to teaching.
This is designed for professionals who later feel called to the classroom or an Bluffton undergraduate student interested in teaching a high school subject other than history, English, mathematics, visual arts or as an intervention specialist.
Before you begin this program,
Please review all Ohio Department of Education requirements.
The Alternative Resident Educator Institute, which consists of six courses (seven for the intervention specialist alternative license) can be completed at Bluffton. These courses are taught in-person. Undergraduate students fulfill these requirements by completing the minor in education studies. Up to six credits may be transferred in from another institution.
You may teach for four years with the alternative license.
Before you begin this program, please review all Ohio Department of Education requirements.
For approval of the alternative four-year resident educator license you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA
- Complete Ohio Department of Education Alternative Evaluation Request Application
- Submit passing scores on the required Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) content assessment(s)
- Complete the required Bluffton Alternative Resident Educator Institute (education studies minor) coursework with at least a C in each class
Steps to a professional license
Teachers with an alternative license can take additional courses to earn a professional license. These courses can be completed in one year and are available online or through videoconferencing.
Teachers who already hold an alternative license may begin studies at Bluffton with the Professional Development Institute.
Required courses (15 hours)
- EDU 615 Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction (3)
- EDU 629 Data Informed Educational Leadership (3)
- EDU 645 Educational Technology (3)
- EDU 655 Instructional Design: Literacy Across the Curriculum (fulfills the Content Reading Requirement for AYA/MA) (3)
- SED 603 Advanced Classroom Organization (3)
For approval of the five-year professional educator license you must:
- Hold an alternative four-year license (copy of the license must be on file with the EPP and the ODE)
- Successfully complete all components of the Ohio Resident Educator Program
- Successfully complete the required Bluffton Professional Development Institute coursework with at least a B in each class.
- Have four years of successful teaching experience under the alternative resident educator license. (The candidate must upload a letter on district letterhead signed and dated by the employing superintendent or human resources director during the application process. The letter must state the grade levels and subjects taught during each year of employment.)
- Submit passing score on the required Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) professional knowledge assessment
Alternative Pathway Tuition and fees
| Tuition | $510 per semester credit | |
| Technology fee | $130 per semester |
In Ohio, the alternative resident educator license is an accelerated pathway to classroom
teaching. This pathway allows students, schools and communities to benefit from the
candidates' content-related knowledge, life experience and successful career experience.
Ohio students can benefit from the rich knowledge base and successful career and life
experiences of content experts in a variety of teaching fields. As Ohio focuses on
assuring a high-quality teacher in every classroom, it is important that a wide range
of professionals are invited to bring their talents and expertise into our schools.
(ODE website)
More information about state requirements for the alternative resident educator license
If you are interested in information about the alternative license pathway at Bluffton University, please contact Dr. Gayle Trollinger, Director of Educator Preparation (trollingerg@bluffton.edu).