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Certificate Programs

Already have a degree? Earn teacher certification through UL Lafayette's Certification-Only Program, add an endorsement, or earn a graduate certificate.

Whether you're changing careers to become a teacher, adding a new area to your teaching certificate, or building specialized expertise, the College of Education & Human Development offers a certificate path that builds on the education you already have.

Which Certificate Is Right for You?

  • You have a bachelor's degree in a field other than education and want to teach. The Certification-Only Program leads to initial teacher certification through 21 credit hours of coursework plus an academic internship or teacher residency. Classes meet one evening a week, and you may be eligible to teach with the full salary and benefits of a certified teacher while you're enrolled.
  • You're a teacher candidate or certified teacher who wants to teach in another area. An add-on certification endorsement expands your teaching certificate into areas like special education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or Elementary Mathematics Specialist.
  • You have a bachelor's degree and want to deepen your expertise. A graduate certificate is the shortest course of study, typically 3 to 12 courses completed in one to one and a half years. Both of our graduate certificates, in Gifted Education and Instructional Coaching, are offered online.

Not sure which path fits? Contact the Office of Student Services at 337-482-6681 or education@louisiana.edu.

Certificate by Type

Want to teach but don't want to earn a second bachelor's degree? If you hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education, the Certification-Only Program lets you earn initial teacher certification — and you may be eligible to teach with the full salary and benefits of a certified teacher while you're enrolled.

  • Program length: 21 credit hours of coursework plus 6 credit hours of either an academic internship or the teacher residency.
  • Schedule: Classes typically meet one evening a week (usually 5:00–7:50 p.m.), so you can work full time as a teacher. Courses are not offered online.
  • Teach while you train: Once officially accepted, you're eligible for a Practitioner License 2 (PL 2), which allows you to teach while enrolled.
  • Completion: Candidates earn initial teacher certification and do not participate in a formal graduation ceremony.

How to Get Started

  1. Apply to the University as an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student, and choose "Alt. Certification in Education" as your field of study.
  2. Pay your tuition. TOPS does not cover the Certification-Only Program. You must meet all program requirements to be eligible for financial aid.
  3. Complete the program admission requirements:
    • A non-education bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university (official transcript required)
    • A passing score on the Praxis Content Knowledge test for your certification area
    • A one-page essay on your reasons for and commitment to teaching
    • A one-page summary of your educational and work experience
    • Additional prerequisites for Health & Physical Education (15 credit hours in health or kinesiology) and for Instrumental or Vocal Music Education (music theory, keyboard skills, an audition, and recommended ensemble experience)
  4. Be officially accepted into the program. You'll receive a signed prescription plan that acknowledges your eligibility for a PL 2.

You must earn a C or better in all professional and specialized academic education courses in the program. Learn more about Praxis, the academic internship, and the residency in our Teacher Preparation Hub.

Certification Areas

The Certification-Only Program leads to a post-baccalaureate certificate (PBC) in one of these areas: 

  • Art Education Grades K-12
  • Early Childhood Education Grades PK-3
  • Elementary Education Grades 1-5
  • Health & Physical Education Grades K-12
  • Instrumental Music Education Grades K-12
  • Middle School Education Grades 4-8 (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies Education)
  • Secondary Education Grades 6-12 (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, or Speech Education)
  • Spanish Education Grades K-12
  • Vocal Music Education Grades K-12

Ready to have your transcripts and Praxis scores evaluated? Call the Office of Student Services at 337-482-6681 to schedule an appointment.

Expand your teaching certificate with an add-on endorsement. Requirements vary by your current certification area.

For current teacher candidates or certified teachers: Adaptive Physical Education K-12; Art Education K-12; Computer Literacy K-12; Early Interventionist Birth-5; Elementary Education 1-5; Elementary Mathematics Specialist; English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Foreign Language Education K-12; Health and Physical Education K-12; Instructional Coach; Librarian K-12; Middle School Education 4-8; Secondary Education 6-12; Special Education Mild/Moderate 1-5; Special Education Mild/Moderate 6-12.

For teachers who hold a master's degree: Educational Diagnostician; Educational Technology Facilitation; Educational Technology Leadership; Gifted Education; Reading Specialist.

Already certified? Apply to the University as an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student and choose "Add Certification in Education" as your field of study before scheduling courses. Learn more about add-on endorsements on Teach Louisiana, or contact the Office of Student Services at 337-482-6681.

A graduate certificate is the shortest course of study for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Both of our certificates are offered online.

Find curriculum requirements for each certificate on our Academic Catalog page.