Teacher Certification

Successful completion of an approved teacher education program at Towson University prepares students to apply to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for a teaching certificate.

School districts that hire graduates may complete applications for certification on behalf of new employees. However, students may also choose to apply directly to MSDE for certification, especially if they do not seek a teaching job immediately upon graduation or if they do not receive an early job offer. 

Students who choose to apply directly to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for a teaching certificate must follow the below procedure.

Before Contacting MSDE

Log into PeopleSoft. In Self Service, under the heading, Academic Records, click View Unofficial Transcript and look for this certification statement:

“This student has completed a Maryland State Approved Program in [program and grade levels] that has national accreditation recognized by the Department. The program includes the Maryland approved reading courses.”

If the statement has not yet been posted, students should wait until it appears. This may take up to 6 weeks after graduation.

If the above statement has been posted, request an official transcript. For paper transcripts, only original transcripts can be submitted — photocopies and electronic copies are not acceptable. For electronic transcripts, a service fee is required.

After Obtaining an Official Transcript with a Certification Statement 

Go to the MSDE website, create (or log into) a portal account​, and follow all MSDE-required steps to apply for educator certification. Students are encouraged to have all the below documents ready for submission.

  1. An official transcript, which must show the degree, date of conferral, and the Maryland Approved Program statement of completion. (Student copies in an unopened mailer are acceptable​.)
  2. Basic Skills tests scores (teacher applicants only)
  3. Content and Pedagogy​ test scores (if applicable)
  4. An initial application for certification
  5. A cover letter with student name, mailing address, last 4 digits of a social security number, date of birth, personal email address, and area of certification

Out-of-State Certification

Students intending to pursue certification out of state are encouraged to become certified in Maryland first. Once certified in Maryland, they may request an out-of-state verification of degree from another state’s department of education and send it to Assistant Dean Gilda Martinez-Alba, .