In order to enroll in a certification program, corps members must pass exams called The PRAXIS Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers. Applicants assigned to Baltimore will receive more information about these exams once they are accepted.
All Baltimore corps members have the opportunity to become certified within two years, and many also earn a master's degree during this time. Initially, all corps members teach on the Resident Teacher Certificate, but then corps members must work toward certification.
Through a partnership with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), corps members have the option of earning a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in addition to fulfilling basic certification requirements. The MAT option provides an integrated program of study that was designed in collaboration with Teach For America. Courses generally occur one night per week for four hours plus approximately five Saturday seminars per semester.
The master's program requires two years to complete and costs approximately $17,000. Baltimore City offers tuition forgiveness at four different levels in exchange for various service commitments, which corps members can opt into if they choose. Teachers who already hold master’s degrees are eligible for 50 percent reimbursement for up to 12 credits in exchange for a two-year service commitment following the last year tuition money is accepted. Those who accept 75 percent of up to 12 credits reimbursement owe two years of service after the last year they receive reimbursement money. Those who accept 75 percent of all credits owe three years of service after the last year they take reimbursement money. Finally, for teachers who are getting certified in high-need areas (e.g., math, science, and foreign language), the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) will pay 100 percent of tuition costs in exchange for three years of service commitment after the final semester tuition money is accepted.
In addition, most corps members currently are able to repay a significant portion of tuition after completing their first year of teaching with their AmeriCorps education awards, which amount to $4,725 per year. Tuition payments up to the amount of the AmeriCorps award can be deferred until the summer, which means most corps members have minimal out-of-pocket tuition expenses.
Most corps members enroll in the MAT program; however, those not interested in pursuing the MAT degree may either enroll as a Graduate Special Student and pursue certification at JHU or take classes at other area colleges and universities.
| Costs to Begin Teaching |
|---|
| Testing: approximately $220 |
| Processing: $52 |
| Up-front Certification Program Cost: $0 |
| Costs to Earn Certification |
|---|
| Varies depending on participation in the MAT program and placement grade level |
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