Become a Teacher

Initial Teacher Licensure programs

Interested in a career in teaching? Whether you're interested in teaching elementary, special education or secondary education, the COE Initial Teacher Licensure programs are designed to meet your needs.

NOTE: University of Hawaii student information system will be undergoing a major upgrade, as a result, the Undergraduate and Graduate online applications will be unavailable from 4:00 pm HST on Friday, February 12, 2010 through noon, Monday, March 1, 2010.  Please plan on submitting your application well in advance of Friday, February 12, 2010.

Options for Teacher Licensure

**NOTE TO MEd SPED APPLICANTS: Spring, Summer, and Fall 2010: The M.Ed. in Special Education program is undergoing substantial changes. When approved, the M.Ed. in Special Education program will no longer result in eligibility for teacher licensure. Applicants for 2010 admission should apply to the Post Baccalaureate in Special Education (PB-SPED) program in spring or fall 2010 if teacher licensure is desired. Read more about this important change in the MEd SPED program.

* for students who already have a Bachelor's degree and want to pursue teacher licensure

Classified status in the College of Education is necessary for registration in most required teacher education courses. Program sheets showing specific requirements are available in the COE's Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS).

Pathways to Initial Teaching Licenses

See our Pathways to Teaching diagram for more info on which programs result in PK-3, K-6, 7-12 and Special Education licensure.

Advising

Those interested in an undergraduate degree, post-baccalaureate certification or the Master's in Teaching should contact the Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) and set up an appointment with an academic advisor. To contact OSAS at (808) 956-7849 or osas@hawaii.edu.

Those interested in Special Education, should contact the SPED department directly.