Become a Teacher in Montana

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 12/18/2016

This page is sponsored by our partner Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Montana.

To become a certified teacher in Montana, you will need to fulfill these requirements:

• Step One: Complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
• Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Step Three: Pass required exams.
• Step Four: Submit a Montana teaching credential application.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating CertificationMap.com with new information on a regular basis.

Step One: Montana Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Here are Montana’s undergraduate prerequisites for some of the most popular specialty areas:

• Elementary Education: To add an endorsement to a Montana license, you must complete the equivalent of a teaching major or minor from an NCATE or state approved college or university. The coursework requirements for an additional endorsement on your license are generally as follows:: a. at least 40 semester credits in an extended major; or b. 30 semester credits in an approved major; or c. 20 semester credits in an approved minor. The college must make recommendation to this office for the endorsement to be added to your existing license.
• Secondary English/Language Arts: To add an endorsement to a Montana license, you must complete the equivalent of a teaching major or minor from an NCATE or state approved college or university. The coursework requirements for an additional endorsement on your license are generally as follows: a. at least 40 semester credits in an extended major; or b. 30 semester credits in an approved major; or c. 20 semester credits in an approved minor. The college must make recommendation to this office the endorsement to be added to your existing license.
• Secondary Mathematics: To add an endorsement to a Montana license, you must complete the equivalent of a teaching major or minor from an NCATE or state approved college or university. The coursework requirements for an additional endorsement on your license are generally as follows: : a. at least 40 semester credits in an extended major; or b. 30 semester credits in an approved major; or c. 20 semester credits in an approved minor. The college must make recommendation to this office the endorsement to be added to your existing license.
• Secondary History/Social Science: To add an endorsement to a Montana license, you must complete the equivalent of a teaching major or minor from an NCATE or state approved college or university. The coursework requirements for an additional endorsement on your license are generally as follows: : a. at least 40 semester credits in an extended major; or b. 30 semester credits in an approved major; or c. 20 semester credits in an approved minor. The college must make recommendation to this office the endorsement to be added to your existing license.
• Secondary Science: To add an endorsement to a Montana license, you must complete the equivalent of a teaching major or minor from an NCATE or state approved college or university. The coursework requirements for an additional endorsement on your license are generally as follows:: a. at least 40 semester credits in an extended major; or b. 30 semester credits in an approved major; or c. 20 semester credits in an approved minor. The college must make recommendation to this office the endorsement to be added to your existing license.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: Montana Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Montana, visit our Montana Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Click here for more information about alternative certification in Montana. 

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Step Three: Montana Required Tests

The Montana Office of Public Instruction does not require teaching candidates to complete any state teacher licensure exams.

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Step Four: Montana Application Requirements

The Montana Office of Public Instruction offers four types of teacher certification, depending on professional background and classroom placement.

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Montana Certification Reciprocity

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. Montana does not currently offer a reciprocity program. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information about teaching reciprocity agreements in the U.S.

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Montana Teacher Salary

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Montana provides loan forgiveness support for teachers teaching in high- needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Montana has a strong induction program in place to foster new teacher professional development
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $49,730
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $48,960
• Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2015 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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Montana Certification Resources & Links

• Montana Office of Public Instruction

P.O. Box 202501
Helena, Montana 59620
406-444-3095

• Montana Teacher Tenure
• Montana Teacher Certification Information
• Troops to Teachers Montana: In Montana, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Lewis and Clark Region Office
• MEA-MFT
• Montana Jobs for Teachers
• Montana Teachers’ Retirement System
• Montana Substitute Teacher Requirements 

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