Resident Teacher Certificate Programs in Maryland
Resident Teacher Certificate programs in Maryland are helpful for candidates who seek to enter into a teaching career early. Read the article to know more about this program, including qualification requirements, program structure, and program options offered in Maryland.
Introduction to Resident Teacher Certificate Programs in Maryland
The Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) is one among the many types of teaching certificates issued by the Maryland State Department of Education. This certificate is issued to those who take up alternative teacher preparation programs instead of the traditional teacher preparation programs. These programs are called Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs (MAAP).
<table border="1"><tr><td> Education Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree, Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs (MAAP)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Exams Required </td><td> Praxis Core, GRE, SAT, or ACT <br/> Praxis II (or ACTFL for foreign languages)</td></tr>
<tr><td> License Validity Period </td><td>2 years</td></tr>
<tr><td> Requirements for Renewal </td><td> Upgraded to the Standard Professional Certificate (SPC) after completing MAAP and passing the Praxis II test.</td></tr>
<tr><td> Mean Salary (2018)* </td><td>Elementary and Middle School Teachers: $62,150; Secondary School Teachers: $64,230</td></tr>
<tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2018-2028, nationwide)* </td><td>High school teachers: 4%; Middle school teachers: 3%; Elementary school teachers: 3%</td></tr>
</table><p>' Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) '
</p><h3 id="section---OverviewOfMarylandApprovedAlternativePreparationPrograms">Overview of Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs</h3><p>Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Programs (MAAP) are provided by different partnerships between Maryland local school systems, private firms, and/or regular colleges. The major difference between traditional teacher preparation programs and alternative programs is that the alternative programs will ensure you a teaching certificate, but not a degree. The alternative preparation programs also give you the opportunity to start your teaching career right when you are pursuing the program. These programs can be very demanding and rigorous, but the program fee is less when compared to traditional programs.
</p><h3 id="section---RTCProgramsOfferedInMaryland"> RTC Programs Offered in Maryland</h3><p>The following is a list of state-approved RTC programs in Maryland:
</p><ul><li>AACC/AACPS Secondary RTC Program under Anne Arundel Community College and Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
</li><li>The Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) Program Special Education and Elementary or Secondary Education under Notre Dame of Maryland University and Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
</li><li>Bard-City Schools MAAPP (Bard) under Baltimore City Public School System and Bard College.
</li><li>Baltimore City Teaching Residency (BCTR) under Baltimore City Public School System and TNTP.
</li><li>Teach For America under Baltimore City Public School System, Baltimore County Public Schools, Teach For America, and Johns Hopkins University.
</li><li>Urban Teachers under Baltimore City Public School System and Johns Hopkins University.
</li><li>Alternative Teacher Preparation Program in World Languages Education under Goucher College and Baltimore County Public Schools.
</li><li>MC/MCPS Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET) under Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools.
</li><li>The Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) for Special Education and Elementary/Secondary Education under Notre Dame of Maryland University and Prince George's County Public Schools.
</li><li>Teach For America-D.C. Region under Prince George's County Public School System, Teach For America, and Johns Hopkins University.
</li></ul><p>The two universities listed above, as well as others in the state, offer certification options that include earning a master's degree.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoesTheRTCProgramWork"> How does the RTC Program work?</h3><p>The RTC programs allow you to become a teacher and get the full entitlements of a teacher, such as a salary and other benefits, while still enrolled in the program. Once you enter the program, you will have to complete training and an internship, after which you can work as a certified teacher under a mentor assigned to you. You are eligible to teach only in schools that come under the local school systems which partner for the MAAP program that you chose. You won't be allowed to teach in any other school system during the entire period of your residency.
</p><h3 id="section---ValidityOfRTC"> Validity of RTC</h3><p>Keep in mind that the RTC is valid only for two years and is not transferable to other states or other local school systems in Maryland. To continue working as a certified teacher, you have to complete the MAAP program and then obtain the Standard Professional Certificate (SPC) after the validity of RTC ends. With the SPC, you can teach in other local school systems in Maryland. It is also recognized by most of the other states.
</p><h3 id="section---MarylandSResidentTeacherCertificateRequirements"> Maryland's Resident Teacher Certificate Requirements:</h3><p>The basic requirement for entry into Maryland RTC program is a bachelor's degree, and qualifying scores in a state-approved basic skill test and content test. The list below shows more specific requirements regarding education and examination.
</p><ul><li>An overall GPA of 2.75 is required in the undergraduate program. If this doesn't apply to you, then there are two other options: the GPA for your bachelor's major area is 2.75, and you are seeking certification in the same area, or, you have 30 hours of core study and a GPA of 2.75 in the area for which you seek certification.
</li><li>A qualifying score in any of the following basic skills tests: Praxis Core, GRE, SAT, or ACT.
</li><li>A qualifying score on the Praxis II test. If you are seeking foreign language certification, then you can take the ACTFL test.</li></ul>