Occupation-Based Teacher Certification

Please note: This is not a UofL certification program. The University of Louisville (UofL) College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is offering courses that support vocational education/career and technical education certification through the Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE) New Teacher Institute (NTI).

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What is the New Teacher Institute?

The New Teacher Institute is a 24-month induction model for all occupation-based Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers pursuing professional teacher certification through the Kentucky Department of Education.
Teachers are required to complete the 24-month cycle that is a combination of face-to-face meetings, online meetings, and field-based support. Teacher candidates will complete the program as a cohort--candidates will start and finish the program together--which provides invaluable support and networking opportunities. During the first portion of the 24-month cycle, teacher candidates will participate in a mentoring component and receive support and direction from a veteran CTE teacher.
The second portion of the 24-month cycle requires completion of the Kentucky Teacher Internship (KTIP) component. KTIP consists of classroom supervision, guidance and assessment from experienced classroom teachers.
The teacher candidate is required to have an offer of employment from a Kentucky school district, the Kentucky Department of Education, or the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, at the start of the program.

Program Admission Requirements

Teacher candidates for NTI must meet several requirements prior to admission into the program:

  • Must be accepted to the program through KDE's NTI and be employed as a Career and Technical Education teacher in Kentucky
  • Must demonstrate that he/she has a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Must demonstrate that he/she has four (4) years of successful and appropriate occupational experience in the area of desired certification. At least two (2) years of the occupational experience must be completed within the last five (5) years. A maximum of one (1) year of the required work experience may be satisfied by completion of an occupation-based educator preparation program in the area that the candidate wishes to teach. The teacher candidate is required to submit proof of relevant work experience to the KDE.

Completion of Course Work

Teacher candidates may earn up to 12 college credits from the University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development as part of NTI program requirements. The courses are designed to enhance the instruction from the NTI professional development. Credits may be earned pre- or post-baccalaureate, depending on the prior educational obtainment of and/or ongoing educational needs of the teacher candidate.

Course Sequence:
Fall Term Year 1:

  • Class 1 - Introduction to CTE Teaching and Learning
  • Class 2 - Instructional Planning and Strategies

Spring Term Year 1:

  • Class 3 - Classroom Assessment
  • Class 4 - Classroom Management

Please note: Courses may be taken for credit hours or as professional development for the state certificate. If candidates take the courses to earn credit hours, they must apply and be admitted to the UofL College of Education and Human Development as a non-degree student. (Undergraduate non-degree status pending approval from the Admissions Office).

CTE Tuition Waiver

Please note: If you are a JCPS teacher in career and technical education (CTE), you may be eligible for CTE Waiver, (KAR 2:020). Please complete the Tuition Waiver Form that can be found on the Office of Career and Technical Education's Kentucky Tech Principals' Resource page."

Contact Us to Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about occupation-based teacher certification through the New Teacher Institute, please contact Jodi Adams:
UofL, College of Education and Human Development
Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development
CEHD Office: 502-852-4727
Email: jodi.adams@louisville.edu
or
Frankfort Office: 502-564-4286, ext 4209
Email: jodi.adams@education.ky.gov