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All D.C. corps members are required to become certified during their two-year commitments. After passing all required PRAXIS exams, completing the summer institute, and enrolling in a certification program, corps members with a placement in the District of Columbia receive a two-year provisional license when they begin teaching. Teach For America • D.C. Region currently partners with American University (AU) and George Mason University (GMU) to offer certification and master’s programs. Through the American University partnership, corps members teaching elementary school, ESL, and secondary level subjects receive their standard certification and have the option to receive their Master of Arts in Teaching in two years.
Corps members teaching special education earn their certification with the option of earning a master’s degree by the end of the summer after their second year of teaching. Corps members teaching early childhood will earn both their certification and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through GMU.
Prince George’s County corps members obtain certification through the Resident Teacher Program, which consists of a five-week training during the summer (institute) and required reading courses depending upon content area. Corps members become certified after their first year of teaching. Corps members teaching in Prince George’s County also have the option of participating in the classes at American University or George Mason University for the same discounted rates as those teaching in DCPS.
| Costs to Begin Teaching– D.C. Public Schools and D.C. public charter schools |
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| Testing: $130-260 depending on the corps member's certification area |
| Processing: $30 |
| Up-front Certification Program Cost: Up to $75 (First semester tuition costs vary depending on the certification program.) |
| Costs to Begin Teaching– D.C. Public Schools and D.C. public charter schools |
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| Testing: $130-260 depending on the corps member's certification area |
| Processing: $67 |
| Up-front Certification Program Cost: $0 (corps members can opt to take reading courses at no cost offered by the state or they can enroll in the courses at local universities) |
| Costs to Maintain Provisional License – D.C. Public Schools and D.C. public charter schools |
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| Dependent on certification area: currently ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per year for certification courses |
Corps members participating in our American University and George Mason University partnerships meet for classes once or twice per week. Currently, corps members receive a 50 percent tuition discount for the American University certification program and also receive a discount on master's courses. American University also receives federal grants that significantly reduce the cost of tuition. The discounted tuition for corps members for the certification program at American University ranges from $4,500 to $5,500 per year. Corps members choosing to pursue a master's pay additional tuition. The total cost of the program at GMU for early childhood corps members (for both certification and a Master’s degree) is approximately $9,500.00, over two years. After completing their first year of teaching, corps members currently receive an AmeriCorps education award, which can be applied to the second year of certification program tuition or can be used to pay back financial aid loans accrued during the first year.
In order to begin teaching, all D.C. Region corps members must first take and pass exams called The PRAXIS Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers, including the Praxis I reading, writing, and math tests. Most corps members are also required to take Praxis II tests in their content areas. Applicants assigned to the D.C. Region will receive more information about these exams and certification options once they are accepted.
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