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 South Dakota will receive more information about these exams once they are accepted. If corps members choose to stay beyond their two-year commitment, they also need to take pedagogy exams and content exams, if they have not done so already.
South Dakota corps members have the opportunity to receive full South Dakota teacher certification in two years, provided that they complete all requirements and achieve the necessary test scores. The South Dakota Department of Education has created an alternative certification program designed specifically for Teach For America corps members. All South Dakota corps members enroll in this alternative program and, once enrolled, corps members receive a two-year, non-renewable teaching certificate. In order to maintain their certification, corps members need to take four courses. Two of these courses come from credits earned at the University of St. Thomas in Houston for coursework, and teaching at the Teach For America summer training institute.
| Costs to Begin Teaching |
|---|
| Testing: $100-130 |
| Processing: $20 |
| Up-front Certification Program Cost: $600 for two courses through the University of St. Thomas while attending the Teach For America summer institute |
| Costs to Maintain Emergency Credential |
|---|
| $500-600 (depending on program) |
Corps members also take two additional courses—South Dakota Indian Studies and Human Relations—from local tribal universities. This requires taking one class per semester during their first year in the classroom. Classes are usually held one night per week for three hours. Costs associated with each course will depend on the local college. Typical costs can range from $280 to $750 per course.
Our corps members
Placement regions
Corps and Alumni
