Established by an Act of the Delaware State Legislature, the Special Institute for Teacher Certification was designed to meet the growing demand for highly-qualified teachers in Delaware public schools. The Institute provides scholarships and academic advisement to individuals who have earned baccalaureate degrees in fields other than education and are interested in completing the necessary courses to become certified teachers.

Tuition scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who are pursuing teacher certification in areas designated by the State as critical shortage areas for 2007-08: Bilingual Teachers, English, ESOL, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Music, Reading Specialists, Science, School Librarians, Special Education, Technology Education.

To apply, fill out the attached Application.

Course of Study

Upon acceptance into the Institute, a student will meet with an advisor to determine and plan a course of study. Students can pursue this program of study as a non-degree student or as a matriculated student in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Eligibility Criteria

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a field other than education from a four-year, regionally accredited college or university.

• Passing scores, as determined by the State of Delaware, on Praxis I or proof of SAT exemptions scores.

• To be eligible to pursue certification to teach at the high school level, the applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree in the academic discipline or related area for which he/she is seeking certification.

• Minimum cumulative grade point average as determined by the academic subject field.

Obligations

Students who receive tuition scholarships from the Special Institute for Teacher Certification must:

• register for a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework per academic year,

• complete the program of study required for teacher certification as determined by the University of Delaware, and...

• teach for a minimum of one year in a Delaware public school for each year of funding (to be completed within 5 years of successful completion of the Special Institute).

Students who do not fulfill these obligations will be required to repay all scholarship monies they received.