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Become a Teacher in Delaware

Certification Step-by-Step

Click to jump to section Delaware Prerequisite Coursework Delaware Teacher Preparation Delaware Required Tests Delaware Application Requirements Delaware Certification Reciprocity Delaware Teacher Salary Delaware Certification Resources & Links

Delaware Highlights

Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary: $60,600
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary: $63,640
Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/09/2018

This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Delaware .

To become a certified teacher in Delaware, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

  • Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
  • Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
  • Step Three: Pass required exams.
  • Step Four: Submit a Delaware teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: Delaware Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Delaware, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education. 

Step Two: Delaware Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.

Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers specific to the State of Delaware, visit our Delaware Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose Bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Click here for information about Alternative Certification in Delaware.

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Step Three: Delaware Required Tests

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)

The Praxis I PPST measures basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. These tests evaluate whether candidates have the foundational and academic skills necessary to pursue a career as an educator in the state of Delaware.

Praxis II

The Praxis II Subject Assessments measures knowledge of general and specific subjects related to K-12 teaching skills and classroom knowledge. The Praxis II covers 120 different tests. Required tests are dependent on requirements set forth by one’s desired teaching discipline. The following assessments are required by the Delaware Department of Education:

Delaware Required Tests
Test(s) Certification Area
Education of Young Children Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (Subtests: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies)		 Elementary Education
Middle School English-Language Arts
Middle School Mathematics
Middle School Science
Middle School Social Studies		 Middle School Education: (English-Language Arts; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies)
Biology: Content Knowledge
Chemistry: Content Knowledge
Earth & Space Sciences: Content Knowledge
English Language Arts: Content Knowledge
Health Education
General Science: Content Knowledge
Mathematics: Content Knowledge
Physical Science: Content Knowledge
Physics: Content Knowledge
Social Studies: Content Knowledge		 Secondary Education (Biology; Chemistry; Earth Science; English; Health Education; Integrated Science; Mathematics; Physical Science; Physics; Social Studies)
Art: Content Knowledge Art Education (all grades)
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications Exceptional Children (all grades)
Music: Content Knowledge Music Education (all grades)
Physical Education: Content Knowledge Physical Education (all grades)

* Not all listed tests are required for each certification. Not all areas of certification are listed. View Delaware’s Test Requirements for more information.

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Step Four: Delaware Application Requirements

Delaware teaching applicants must apply online through DEEDS (Delaware Educator Data System), the state’s online application process. To obtain a teaching license/certification, the Delaware Department of Education’s requires applicants to meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
  • Student teaching experience, as indicated on transcript(s)
  • Passing scores on Praxis I exam
  • Passing score(s) on Praxis II tests for certification area(s)

Delaware does not require fingerprinting as part of the initial teacher licensing process. However, state law requires all teaching candidates to complete a state and federal background check prior to employment. Contact your local school district for more information regarding the fingerprinting process and requirements.

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Delaware Certification Reciprocity

Delaware will accept some teaching credentials some states. Contact the Delaware Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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Delaware Teacher Salary

  • Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Delaware provides no support for teachers teaching in high-needs schools or for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
  • Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Delaware has strong induction policies in place
  • Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $60,600
  • Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $63,640
  • Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics  report.

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Delaware Certification Resources & Links

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