Key Takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree in any field qualifies you to pursue a Kansas teaching license – no second undergraduate degree required.
- Kansas reported 1,588 classroom vacancies in spring 2026, and the state has built multiple structured pathways specifically to help career-changers fill them.
- Alternative certification is a broad category: routes range from a fast-track restricted license to a full graduate program – and the right one depends on your subject, grade level, and how much structured support you want.
- Newman University’s Master of Science in Teaching (MST) is a one-year, hybrid program designed for career-changers that can lead to Kansas K-6 licensure while allowing candidates to earn a teacher’s salary during training.
- A license and actual classroom readiness are not the same thing – keep reading to understand why the preparation question matters as much as the paperwork.
Switching careers into teaching sounds complicated, but Kansas has quietly built a real infrastructure for it. The state needs educators badly enough that it has designed multiple entry points for people who never studied education the first time around. Here is how those pathways actually work – and what to think about before choosing one.
Kansas Is Actively Recruiting Career-Changers
Kansas reported 1,588 classroom teacher vacancies in spring 2026, according to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) – down from 1,747 in fall 2025 and roughly 2,200 in spring 2025. The hardest-hit areas include special education, elementary classrooms, math, and science.
Shane Carter, director of teacher licensure with KSDE, noted that the decline reflects better retention: “We’re keeping more people in the profession. They’re choosing to stay.” Still, nearly 1,600 vacancies means districts are actively looking – and they are open to candidates who did not follow the traditional education-degree track.
Your Bachelor’s Degree Already Qualifies You
No Second Degree Required
The biggest misconception about becoming a teacher as a career-changer is that a second bachelor’s degree in education is necessary. It is not. Kansas licensing rules recognize that a degree in biology, history, engineering, or English literature is an asset – subject-matter expertise that many traditionally trained teachers do not have.
The existing bachelor’s degree is the entry ticket. What comes next is the teaching preparation and the license itself.
What You Still Need to Get Licensed
Regardless of the route chosen, Kansas licensure generally requires:
- Passing the relevant Praxis subject assessment(s) for the grade level and subject area
- Completion of professional education training (coursework in pedagogy, classroom management, child development, etc.)
- A supervised teaching or residency experience
- A formal application to KSDE for the appropriate license type
The route determines how and when those boxes get checked – not whether they need to be.
KSDE-Recognized Pathways for Career-Changers
Kansas does not offer just one alternative certification option. KSDE recognizes several distinct routes, each designed for a different situation.
Restricted Teaching License
The Restricted Teaching License is built for mid-career professionals with strong content expertise in a specific subject. Candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in or closely related to the subject they want to teach, plus a passing Praxis subject score. Professional education training is then completed while actively teaching – making this a solid fit for someone with a secondary-level subject match who wants to get into a classroom quickly.
Limited Elementary Residency Program License
This pathway is designed for candidates pursuing elementary education (K-6). Candidates work in a classroom setting while completing the required preparation, typically under the supervision of an experienced educator and in partnership with a university or approved provider.
Limited Residency License (Special Education)
Special education remains one of the most difficult areas to staff in Kansas. KSDE maintains a specific residency license track for this field, allowing candidates to work toward full special education certification while serving as the instructor of record, with required coursework and mentoring built into the process.
University-Based Graduate Programs (MST or MAT)
A Master of Science in Teaching (MST) or Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is the most structured of the alternative routes. These graduate programs provide thorough pedagogical preparation alongside the licensure process, resulting in both a Kansas teaching license and a master’s degree. This route suits career-changers who want real preparation – not just paperwork – and a credential that opens doors for salary advancement.
Newman University in Wichita offers an MST program built specifically for career-changers with a bachelor’s in any field and no prior education background, structured as a one-year hybrid cohort that starts each May.
Alternative Certification: A Broad Category, Not One Program
The term “alternative certification” gets used loosely – in conversation, in job postings, and on district websites – as if it refers to a single program. It does not. It is an umbrella term for any licensure route that does not require a traditional undergraduate education degree.
A Restricted Teaching License, a residency program, and a full MST all technically fall under “alternative certification.” They differ significantly in timeline, support structure, cost, and depth of preparation. Treating them as interchangeable leads to poor route selection – and sometimes a very hard first year in the classroom.
You Can Earn a Salary While You Train
One of the most practical considerations for any career-changer is money. Leaving a stable job to return to school full-time is not realistic for everyone. Several Kansas routes are structured so candidates can earn a teacher’s salary during their training.
Under an apprentice or provisional license, candidates can serve as the instructor of record – a fully employed teacher – while finishing their required coursework. Kansas first-year teacher salaries have been rising year over year; candidates should confirm current figures with KSDE or their prospective district, as pay varies by location and experience. For someone mid-career, that income during a transition can make a meaningful difference.
In Newman’s MST program, candidates complete summer coursework first, then become eligible for a limited apprentice license that allows them to teach as the instructor of record while finishing the degree. The teaching position itself counts as the required practicum.
Don’t Overlook Classroom Readiness
License vs. Actual Preparation
Getting licensed and being ready to run a classroom on day one are two different things. Some alternative routes prioritize speed to licensure, handing candidates the credential with minimal pedagogical training. That approach can work – but it tends to make for a difficult first year, particularly in high-need classrooms.
The better question is not just “how fast?” – it is “how prepared will I actually be?” Routes that include structured coursework, mentorship from experienced teachers, and supervised classroom practice give candidates a much stronger foundation.
Structured Support and Kansas Retention Trends
The retention data supports this directly. Kansas third-year teacher retention has climbed steadily: 86.2% in 2022, 88.9% in 2023, 89.2% in 2024, and 90.8% in 2026, according to KSDE. State officials attribute part of this trend to districts gaining distance from the pandemic – but structured support systems are also a documented factor in keeping new teachers in the profession.
Newman’s One-Year MST for Career-Changers
Program Structure and Timeline
Newman University’s Master of Science in Teaching is designed around the reality of adult career-changers. The program runs 30 credits across 10 courses in a hybrid format, starting each May and completing in the spring – roughly one academic year from start to finish. Candidates do intensive coursework in the summer, then take on a teaching position in the fall under a limited apprentice license. That classroom role becomes the practicum, supported by both a university supervisor and a district-assigned mentor.
Licensure, Endorsements, and Accreditation
Candidates who complete the program and pass the required Kansas state assessments earn K-6 elementary licensure. Middle school endorsements are available in math, science, English, and social studies for candidates whose undergraduate degree aligns with those subjects. Newman’s education programs hold CAEP accreditation (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission – signals that the preparation meets independently verified national standards.
Common Questions About Kansas Alt Certification
Praxis Exam Requirements
Kansas requires passing Praxis assessments for licensure regardless of the route taken. The specific tests depend on the grade level and subject area. Elementary candidates typically sit for the Praxis Elementary Education exam; secondary candidates take subject-specific tests. KSDE’s licensure office or the chosen program can confirm the exact exams required for a given path.
Which Route Fits Your Background
A few quick filters to narrow it down:
- Secondary subject match (e.g., a chemistry degree leading to a chemistry teaching role): The Restricted Teaching License or a graduate program both work well.
- Elementary focus with no subject-specific degree requirement: The Limited Elementary Residency or an MST program are the cleaner fits.
- Special education interest: The Limited Residency License (Special Education) is the most direct route.
- Want a master’s degree alongside the license: An MST or MAT program is the clear answer.
- Need to earn income during training: Look specifically for routes that offer an apprentice or provisional license structure.
Kansas Needs You in a Classroom – Here’s Your Next Step
Nearly 1,600 vacancies. Multiple structured routes designed specifically for people with non-education degrees. Kansas has done the work of building the on-ramps – the question now is which one fits.
The clearest advice: match the route to the subject and level being targeted, factor in how much preparation and mentorship is wanted, and do not underestimate the value of a program that sets candidates up to stay in teaching – not just start.
Newman University offers programs, resources, and advising to help career-changers find their path into Kansas classrooms – see what is available at newmanu.edu.
Newman University
3100 McCormick
Wichita
Kansas
67213
United States
