Delaware Alternative Teacher Certification

What the ARTC Program Is

Delaware's Alternative Routes to Certification (ARTC) program lets career changers with a non-education bachelor's degree enter the classroom as paid, full-time teachers of record while completing certification requirements over two years. You teach from day one — not as a student teacher or an observer, but as the actual teacher in the room.

The state issues you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) once you're accepted into an approved ARTC program and hired by a Delaware public or charter school. This COE lets you teach independently and earn full salary while you complete the program.

Entry Requirements

To qualify for ARTC, you need:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Typically 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; certain high-need pathways accept a 2.75 minimum
• At least 24 semester credits in the subject you want to teach
• Passing score on the relevant Praxis II content exam
• Official employment offer from a Delaware public or charter school

The 24-credit requirement is where many career changers get stuck. If you majored in biology but want to teach math, your biology coursework doesn't count — you need 24 credits specifically in mathematics. Review your transcripts carefully before applying, because DEEDS evaluators will count only courses that directly align with the certificate you're requesting.

Program Structure

Once accepted, you complete approximately 15 semester credits of graduate-level coursework and professional seminars through an approved ARTC provider. The University of Delaware and Wilmington University are the primary providers, though others exist.

The coursework runs concurrently with your teaching. You work full-time in the classroom during the day and take courses in the evenings or on weekends. The program also includes intensive mentoring — an experienced teacher is assigned to support you through your first years.

The Two-Year Timeline

Year one: You teach under your COE while taking coursework. Your employing district provides mentoring and observation support. You must meet the evaluation requirements under the Delaware Performance Appraisal System (DPAS).

Year two: You continue teaching and complete remaining coursework. Once you finish all requirements — coursework, mentoring, evaluations, and Praxis scores — you apply to convert your COE to a full Initial License and Standard Certificate.

The route is designed around a mandatory two-year period, but the clock is ticking. Falling behind on coursework while managing a full teaching load is the most common reason candidates don't finish.

Costs

Budget for the $100 DEEDS application fee (reimbursable under House Bill 307 once hired and fully licensed and certified), Praxis II exams ($120–$170 per test), the CBC ($38–$85) and CPR check ($14), and graduate tuition for the approximately 15 credits of required coursework. Tuition varies by provider — check directly with your ARTC program for current rates.

Some financial support exists. The Delaware State University and Your Teacher Tutors partnership offers free Praxis preparation access for select candidates, and the state's Grow Your Own initiatives under House Bill 51 are expanding funding for paraprofessionals transitioning into teaching.

The Delaware Teacher Certification Guide includes a Credential Route Navigator that maps the ARTC timeline against the traditional and substitute routes, so you can see exactly which path fits your credits and experience.

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