Published May 5, 2025
MONROE, LA – The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved new
programs from the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Education that will assist
teachers in becoming certified. These programs are designed to create clear pathways
to certification for uncertified teachers in area school districts.
These new pathways will assist teachers in receiving their Secondary Post-Baccalaureate
Certificate in General Science, Middle School Language Arts, Middle School Mathematics,
Middle School Science, and Middle School Social Studies.
"We are so excited to add online, cost-effective opportunities in obtaining middle
school teaching certification to our alternative certification programs. With the
current teacher shortage, this will meet an important need in our region's K-12 schools,"
said Dr. Myra Lovett, Director of the ULM School of Education.
The certification is a twenty-four-hour, three-semester program designed to last one
year, with three classes provided in summer sessions, then one 8-week course in the
following fall and spring semesters.
"This middle school pathway is needed in our community. Our middle school students
are best served by teachers prepared for their needs. We are excited to be one of
the few schools to offer this certification and the only one in North Louisiana. We
received support in pursuing this proposal from our rural parishes and our city schools
alike," said Jayme Stokes, Director of Teacher Certification and Professional Advancement
in the ULM School of Education.
Applications for the program are currently open until May 9, 2025, with the first
cohort beginning on May 27, 2025. Teachers wishing to complete the certification program
can contact Jayme Stokes at jstokes@ulm.edu for the application instructions and the course plan.
The ULM School of Education will also offer free PRAXIS support for teachers applying
for the program.
Learn more about the ULM School of Education at ulm.edu/education.
CAPTION: The ULM School of Education presented the program to BESE in Baton Rouge in April.
Pictured L-R: Donna Baudoin, Louisiana Department of Education; Dr. Shalanda Stanley,
Associate Director of the ULM School of Education; Jayme Stokes, Director of Teacher Certification and
Professional Advancement, ULM School of Education
