Programs for Licensure
Your path to teacher or principal licensure with ACE.
Programs for Principal Licensure
If you’re an experienced educator ready for a principal or administrative position, American College of Education (ACE) has online principal licensure pathways that can get you there.
Whether you’d like to pursue a master’s degree or already have one and just need a certificate program, we have a pathway that can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to pass your examination and lead with confidence. In fact, in all states where we track data, ACE graduates meet or exceed state pass rates on leadership and principal examinations.
We have pathways approved for principal licensure in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Texas. In most other states, you can still apply these programs toward licensure by completing additional state-specific requirements, such as years of service or internship hours.
For more details on principal licensure compatibility by state, visit our licensure resources page.
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
Certificate in Texas Educational Leadership
Certificate in Principal Preparation
Florida Modified for Educational Leadership
Programs for Teacher Licensure
ACE’s teaching licensure online programs are a path to the certifications you need to become a classroom teacher. If you’d like to learn more about how to obtain a teacher licensure from start to finish, consult this guide.
Choose from a range of certificates and master’s degrees that are approved pathways to teacher licensure in Indiana, which you can apply for once you graduate. Because Indiana participates in reciprocity with many states, you may be able to obtain comparable licensure in the state where you live or plan to work once you hold an Indiana license.
In many cases, graduates of our programs may apply directly to their state for initial licensure upon completion. Licensure requirements vary by state, and additional steps, such as testing or coursework, may be required. For more information on licensure requirements in your state, visit our licensure map.
M.A. in Elementary Teaching
M.A. in Secondary Teaching
Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education
Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education
Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Special Education
Programs for Teacher Endorsements
Beyond teacher licensure, ACE also has programs that can help current educators add educational endorsements to their resume quickly and affordably. These endorsements signify that you’re qualified to teach in specific areas, as you’ve completed the additional coursework and training required.
M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners
Illinois Certificate in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education
Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement
Reading Teacher Endorsement
Certificate in Teaching English Learners
Micro-credential in Learning Behavior Specialist 1
Elementary Education Endorsement
What Is Licensure?
Teacher or principal licensure is how states ensure teachers and principals have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their respective roles. Licensure confirms that an educator has completed a state-approved preparation program, demonstrated required knowledge and skills (often through testing), and met background and ethical standards.
Different states have different requirements for educator licensure for several reasons. Student demographics, amount of funding and philosophical approaches to education all vary from state to state – these factors influence the preparation that each state wants their teachers and educational leaders to have. For more information on licensure requirements in your state, visit our licensure map.
Even teachers at schools providing online education are typically required to hold a teaching license. For teachers at online schools that serve multiple states, multiple licenses may be required. While this sounds intimidating, many states have reciprocity agreements that allow teachers to gain equivalent licenses in other states.
Applying for Educator Licensure†
Students living outside Indiana can enroll in Indiana-approved educator preparation programs that lead to initial teacher licensure, administrator licensure or teacher endorsements. Because Indiana participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, those who earn an Indiana license may be eligible to apply for comparable licensure or endorsement in many other states.
While many states participate in interstate reciprocity agreements, they may still have additional requirements for licensed educators in another state. These additional requirements are called Jurisdiction Specific Requirements (JSRs) and usually vary depending on the educator’s years of experience, content exams or state-specific coursework requirements. Some states, however, offer “full reciprocity” and do not require any additional steps for fully licensed out-of-state educators.
Some states require graduates of state-approved educator preparation programs to apply directly to their state for licensure. Because licensure requirements vary, we encourage prospective students to verify the specific criteria for the state where they plan to work.
For more information on licensure requirements in your state, visit our licensure map.
†Prospective students are strongly advised to confirm the benefit(s) for which they may be eligible with their state’s department of education prior to enrolling in an American College of Education degree or certificate program.
Alumni Success Stories
Start Earning Your License
If you’re ready to become a teacher or principal, start working toward your licensure requirements today.