Become Certified
Wisconsin Technical College System Office
4622 University Avenue
PO Box 7874
Madison, WI 53707-7874
608-266-1207
FAX: 608-266-1690
TTY: 608-267-2483
http://systemattic.wtcsystem.edu
General public site
http://www.wtcsystem.edu
How do I become certified to teach at a Wisconsin
Technical College?
The certification process begins after you are hired at one of the sixteen
technical college districts. The district certification office will ask you
to obtain documentation required by the WTCSB. This includes an application
form, transcripts and forms from current or previous employers verifying your
work experience. WTCSB staff review the district's request for your certification,
and, if approved, a certificate is issued to you and the district certification
office. Check individual technical college home pages http://www.wtcsystem.edu/colleges.htm
for job openings.
Do I have to pay to be certified by the Wisconsin
Technical College System?
No, you as an individual do not have to pay for certification requested by
a technical college district. The district is responsible for the cost of
both your initial certification and future renewals of your certification
for teaching assignments made to you.
What is an Academic Instructor?
An "Academic Instructor" is a person teaching one or more courses
in academic subjects such as math, social science, English, communications
and science. A person must have the knowledge and skills obtained through
collegiate preparation resulting in at least a baccalaureate degree. Adult
Basic Education instructors are considered academic instructors. An individual
also needs one year or 2,000 hours of work experience (that is non-teaching
experience) in any area except education. Link to specific academic requirements
for General Education and Adult
Basic Education
What is an Occupational Instructor?
An "Occupational Instructor" is a person teaching one or more program
courses that are vocational or technical in nature. A person must have the
knowledge and skills obtained through occupational experience (two years or
4,000 hours required) and academic preparation resulting in at least a baccalaureate
degree or the baccalaureate equivalency. Link to specific
occupational requirements
What is an equivalency?
Occupational experience, combined with education and training to prepare a
person for the occupation which totals seven (7) years or 14,000 hours shall
be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree. Each academic credit or equivalent
credit shall be equal to 110 hours of occupational experience. A master's
degree equivalency consists of 7 years or 14,000 hours plus an earned baccalaureate
degree.
What if I have a secondary teaching
license and have taught for 20 years?
Depending on what your academic preparation is and what your secondary license
is in, you may be eligible to be certified, as long as you have one year or
2,000 hours of non-teaching work experience.
I want to apply for a teaching
job with the Department of Corrections, and the job announcement says I must
be certifiable with the WTCSB. Why?
The WTCSB and the Department of Corrections have an agreement whereby employees
of the Department of Corrections who provide instruction for which technical
college credit may be given, and who meet the standards for certification,
can receive WTCSB certification. They are subject to the same rules for initial
certification and renewal of existing certification. The Department of Corrections
has an Office of Education that is responsible for requesting certification
through the local technical college district in which the DOC employing unit
is located.
Contact Deanna Thein at: deanna.thein@doc.state.wi.us
What type of certificate do I
receive when I am first hired?
This depends on if you are teaching full, part time, or just one or two courses.
Typically new employees are given a "provisional certificate". This
type of certificate means you have not met all the requirements for a 5-Year
certificate.
How long is a certification period?
Your initial certification period is for three years; thereafter, an instructor
must re-certify every two years until all seven (7) education requirement
courses (two credits each) have been completed. Each renewal period ends August
31st of the appropriate year.
How long do I have to complete
the seven (7) requirement courses?
Part-time Provisional instructors must complete one (1) of the seven requirement
courses (two credits) per certification period. Full-time instructors must
complete three (3) of the seven requirement courses (six credits) each certification
period.
I work full time in the private
sector and only teach one course, do I need to be certified?
Yes, you would be given a part-time approval certification if teaching a district
program course. This type of certification is issued only to an occupational
instructor for a maximum of two (2) courses. Renewal consists of completing
10 hours of in-service activities and two months of occupational experience
during the certification period.
Are there other certification
categories besides "instructor"?
Yes, there are required certifications for counselors, supervisors, librarians,
administrators and other specialists. These categories of certifications have
additional requirements. Press to view Certification
Code Menu
Once I get a Five-year certificate,
then what?
This certificate is good for five (5) years. In order to renew it, you must
complete either six (6)-semester credits, two months of occupational experience,
or other professional development activities identified by the local technical
college
For more information contact: barbara.miller@wtcsystem.edu
Last modified: April 30, 2008.
