Teacher Certification

The Teacher Education Program at South Dakota State University prepares teacher candidates to meet the certification requirements outlined by the South Dakota Department of Education. Additionally, candidates who complete this nationally accredited teacher certification program are eligible for certification in other states on a provisional basis. They may need to take a couple of additional courses or tests in order to be fully certified in other states, but most states will offer a temporary certificate to ensure employability while the candidates complete the specific requirements for a particular state. For links to teacher certification requirements in all states, visit Interstate Agreements.  At this time SDSU cannot confirm this program or its courses meet the requirements for professional licensure in states outside of South Dakota. Assistance will be provided to candidates in contacting the licensing authority in the student’s state and understanding the requirements for licensure prior to enrollment in the South Dakota State University program. Please contact Lynda Venhuizen, University Certifying Officer, at 605-688-4449.

How To Qualify For Teacher Certification

For each “endorsement” (or certification field), the state of South Dakota has different requirements for initial certification. Please see visit the SD Department of Education Endorsement Requirements webpage for more details about these requirements.

Additionally, all applicants must:

• Complete the state’s approved suicide awareness and prevention training detailed on the South Dakota Department of Education Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention webpage;
• Complete a course in South Dakota Indian Studies with a grade of C or better; and
• Pass required national exams from Educational Testing Service.

Application Process

To apply for an initial South Dakota Teaching Certificate, candidates must:

• Complete the South Dakota Department of Education Educator Certification Online Application.
• Provide the state Department of Education (request e-transcript be sent to certification@state.sd.us) with an official transcript from South Dakota State University, with the degree conferred on the transcript and the South Dakota Indian studies course. To order a transcript from SDSU, visit our Records & Registration's Transcript webpage.
• Provide the state with a certificate of completion of the suicide awareness and prevention training module.
• Make all payments, as required by the application process.
• Assure that the SDSU Certifying Officer has copies of all Praxis exam scores.

Student Teaching Field Experience

Have you already completed an undergraduate degree and want to be a teacher? South Dakota provides an accessible opportunity for you through the online teacher certification program, and SDSU can help to facilitate the process of completing the requirements.