Professional Requirements
Becoming an educator through Emporia State University
ESU provides recommendations for licensing to the Kansas State Department of Education for individuals who have successfully completed our approved teacher education program. The following links include information about the different paths to becoming a teacher through Emporia State University.
First Bachelor's Degree
If this is your first time studying for an undergraduate degree, part of completing your bachelor's degree will include applying for your teaching license. Getting your degree will require attending face-to-face classes. Please inquire and apply through the ESU Admissions Office (877-468-6378 or 620-341-5465, go2esu@emporia.edu.)
Second Bachelor's Degree
This program is for those holding an earned bachelor's degree, who wish to seek a teaching license and also want to pursue another bachelor's degree.
Getting your degree will require attending face-to-face classes. Please inquire and apply through the ESU Admissions Office (877-468-6378 or 620-341-5465, go2esu@emporia.edu.)
Post Baccalaureate Licensing
The "Post-Bacc" program is for you if you want a teaching license but do not wish to pursue another degree. You must already hold a bachelor's degree to be eligible for this program.
The Post-Bacc is similar to our bachelor's degree programs for seeking a teaching license, but no degree is earned.
Attendance in classes on our campus for secondary content areas is required.
To find out more information about this program contact Andra Baldwin, ESU Licensure Officer.
For Career Changers: MS in Elementary Education
The master’s degree in elementary education at Emporia State is designed for career changers who are interested in teaching elementary school.
With online courses and a clinical experience placement near you, you can earn a master’s degree without changing locations. In as little as two years, you will be eligible for an elementary education teaching license.
When you finish your degree, you will enter the teaching profession at the master’s degree level on the pay scale.
Contact Eric True, Graduate Advisor at 620-341-5028.
Restricted License
You must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the content area you wish to teach OR have the equivalent credit hours to a degree in the content area you wish to teach to be eligible for a restricted license. (If you do not have either of these in the previous statement, you must choose one of the other routes listed on this page.)
Please visit Restricted Licensure for further information and/or contact Blair Falldine, Restricted Licensure Program Director at 620-341-5652.