Alternative Placement (Certification) Program

To apply for the alternative certification program (housed in NWOSU's graduate studies department):

1. Apply for Admission or Readmission to NWOSU

• Send in official transcripts
• Complete immunization form
• All official E-transcripts must be submitted by the issuing institution to Sheri Lahr at sklahr@nwosu.edu or Teri Warren at tlwarren@nwosu.edu to be considered official.  Mail official transcripts to NWOSU-Registrar 709 Oklahoma Blvd.  Alva, OK 73717

2. Apply to Graduate Studies Alternative Certification Program of Study.  This application requires two documents to be uploaded.  If you do not have one, simply upload the same one twice or a blank document.

3. Once accepted to the university and graduate studies, meet with Dr. Jen Oswald, program advisor, for individual advisement and plan of study.

NWOSU Plan of Study for Individuals Seeking Alternative Teaching Certification

Northwestern Oklahoma State University supports individuals seeking alternative certification and strives to prepare individuals for success as educators.  The Division of Education provides classes through the Curriculum and Instruction graduate program, which is designed to meet the needs of those who are alternatively or emergency certified.  (No prior educational knowledge expected.)

Individuals can:

1. Elect to take individual courses at the graduate level from the Curriculum and Instruction plan of study to meet additional coursework required by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  Completion of graduate-level courses may move an individual across the salary schedule to earn more money.
2. Complete a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, which provides a deeper understanding of teaching through the study of curriculum and pedagogy.  In addition to being better prepared to teach, the completion of the master’s degree places an individual in a higher earning bracket on the salary schedule. 

Either option will meet the state’s alternative certification requirement through Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

To learn more about the classes needed to complete this micro-credential see the information labeled Curriculum Outline, and Alternative Certification Micro-Credentials at https://www.nwosu.edu/graduate-studies/education/curriculum-instruction

Are you interested in increasing your ability to meet the needs of English language learners in your classroom? 

Micro-credentials are a form of certification for professionals to demonstrate their skills and expertise in specialized areas and can provide a pathway for continuing education and professional development.

Spanish for ESL Pedagogy Micro-Credential 

NWOSU has developed a micro-credential for current and future educators who seek to interact confidently with Spanish speakers in diverse school settings.  Students will gain practical skills in supporting second language learners, including the ability to develop, modify, and implement strategies designed to aid English language learners in acquiring academic language and content-area knowledge.

The Curriculum 

The program is designed to be completed in a single semester. Because the course embeds Spanish instruction into its instruction and outcomes, it may be used to meet the general education foreign language requirement at NWOSU. It may also be used as an education elective in some programs.

• Completion of three-hour course in EDUC 3274 or EDUC 5244 Spanish for ESL Pedagogy is required.
• Courses are currently taught synchronously via interactive television (ITV) in the spring semester and online in summer and fall semesters.

Scholarships 

A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.

Get Started by Enrolling in EDUC 3274 or EDUC 5244

If you are not already an admitted Northwestern student:

1. Complete the interest form found at https://www.nwosu.edu/forms/esl-pedagogy-micro-credential .
2. You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
3. Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
4. On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
5. You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process. 

If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. Jen Oswald, Chair of the Division of Education, at jdoswald@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8451, or Dr. Robert Vest, Associate Professor of Spanish, at rcvest@nwosu.edu  or (580) 327-8466.

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Are you interested in increasing your knowledge base in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health? 

Micro-credentials are a form of certification for professionals to demonstrate their skills and expertise in specialized areas and can provide a pathway for continuing education and professional development.

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Micro-Credential 

NWOSU has developed a micro-credential for social service professionals that includes a 3 credit hour course and 6 clock hours of approved training. Curriculum and trainings selected provide a solid foundation in the study of infant and early childhood mental health. The credential emphasizes the importance of supporting the developing parent-infant relationship and promoting secure attachments. Participants will be required to complete one three credit hour course and 6 clock hours of approved infant and early childhood mental health training to earn the credential. The course and trainings are taught by faculty in the highly respected social work program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and leaders in the field of infant & early childhood mental health.

The Curriculum 

The program is designed to be completed in 1-2 semesters.

• SOCW 4123 Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (3 credit hour course)
• 6 clocked hours of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health training as approved by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and/or NWOSU Department of Social Work

Scholarships 

A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.

Get Started by Enrolling in SOCW4123 

1. Complete and save to your computer the interest form found at https://www.nwosu.edu/uploads//academics/social-work/infant-early-child-mental-health-micro.pdf  
2. You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
3. Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
4. On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
5. You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process. 

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training Hours

• Prior Approval Request Form - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training
• Verification of Attendance Form - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training

Information 

If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. Kylene Rehder, Department of Social Work Chair at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.

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