- Teacher Certification Map
- Become a Teacher in Maryland
Certification Roadmap
Click buttons to jump to section Maryland Certification Requirements Maryland Prerequisite Coursework Maryland Teacher Preparation Maryland Required Tests Maryland Certification Reciprocity Maryland Teacher Salary Teacher Certification Information & Links
Maryland Highlights
This page is sponsored by 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 Maryland.
To become a certified teacher in Maryland, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Certification Requirements
Important Note: Education licensure requirements and salary statistics (for teachers and administrators) 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: 1/06/2015
Requirements
Maryland Public Schools offer potential teachers a comprehensive “how to” guide for becoming a certified teacher in the state of Maryland, offering a step-by-step process tailored to candidates’ individual circumstances. Visit here for more information on how to apply for a Maryland teacher certification.
Background Check
Fingerprint clearance and background checks are administered through the individual hiring schools, not on a state level.
Master’s Requirements
Did you know that 33 states require teachers to have a master’s degree to stay certified in teaching?
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 USC Rossier School of Education.
Maryland Teacher 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. Maryland, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
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 earning your alternative certification in state.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or 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.
Maryland Teacher Preparation
The Maryland State Department of Education requires prospective teachers to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
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. Find more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Maryland, visit our Maryland Teacher Scholarships page.
Maryland Required Tests
The Maryland State Department of Education requires that all teaching candidates complete and pass a Basic Skills Assessment and one or more Content Tests in their specified certification area(s).
Basic Skills Assessment: Praxis I Pre Professional Skills Test (PPST)
| Certification | Required Test(s) | Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| PPST is required for all areas of certification and licensure in the state of Maryland | Praxis I: Reading, Writing, Mathematics | Examinees must reach a composite score of 527 (or 177 per section) |
Maryland accepts the following test scores in lieu of PPST:
Alternative Test
Praxis II: Content Test
| Certification | Required Test(s) | Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education (PK-3) | Early Childhood: Content Knowledge Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT): Early Childhood |
106 157 |
| Elementary Education (1-6) | Elementary Education: Instructional Practice & Applications PLT: Grades K-6 |
161 160 |
| Middle School Education (4-9) | PLT: Grades 5-9 Plus one of the following: Middle School English Language Arts Middle School Mathematics Middle School Science Middle School Social Studies |
160 TBD TBD 145 154 |
| Secondary Education (7-12) | PLT: Grades 7-12 Plus one of the following: Visit MD’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of subject area tests |
157 |
| Special Education (All grade levels must take same tests) | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications | 151 |
| All Grades (K-12) | Visit MD’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of subject area tests | – |
Maryland Certification Reciprocity
Maryland will accept some teaching credentials from all but the following states: Alaska, Idaho, and Iowa. Contact the Maryland State Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
Maryland Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Maryland provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Maryland has limited to weak induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $59,840
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $63,000
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Maryland makes 121% of the salary of the average worker in Maryland
- Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15
Applying for Certification
Maryland State Online Employment Center
The State of Maryland Job Openings website provides teaching candidates with access to listed job vacancies throughout the Maryland Department of Education. Applicants are able to register and create a profile, upload their contact information and credentials, and search and apply for both “open” and “closed” positions within the Maryland DOE.
Maryland Substitute Teacher Requirements
Please click here to learn more about how to become a substitute teacher in Maryland.
Contact Information
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Certification and Accreditation
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410-767-0412
Contact
Additional links
- Maryland State Department of Education
- Maryland Teacher Tenure
- Troops to Teachers Maryland: In Arizona, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Mid-Atlantic Region Office
- Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.
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