South Dakota
State University
Certification Officer
Jennifer Weber
Wenona Hall 206
(605)688-4449
 jennifer.weber@sdstate.edu

 
 

Teacher Certification

"The South Dakota Department of Education's Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality shall implement education policies of the Legislature and the State Board of Education, while advocating high standards for teacher preparation, staff certification, and school accreditation that ensure all South Dakota students have access to quality programs and teachers," (http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/index.asp).
 

Links to other States

All Paper Applications, and all "first time" applications must go through the certification office at South Dakota State University.

Jennifer Weber
Certification Officer
Box 507 Wenona Hall
Brookings, SD 57007 

State Cert Office
700 Governor Drive
Pierre, SD 57501

South Dakota Department of Education

December Grads:  Don't expect your transcripts until into February!

May Grads:  Don't expect your transcripts until into June!

Educational Leadership
Applicants for administration and/or curriculum director will need to work through the application process described at the right.  All school specialists are required to have a minimum of three years of teaching experience.  No additional Praxis Exams are required for school specialists.

School Counseling
Applicants for School Counseling will need to work through the application process described at the right.  School Counselors do not need Praxis Exam Scores.

 

  
  • South Dakota Board of Education Mission Statement
    "As Educational Leaders, we will take a prominent role advocating a dynamic quality education for each student in South Dakota."  
    - Developed September 29, 1995
     
  • How to Qualify for Teacher Certification
    Each applicant for initial certification in South Dakota must have:
    • Earned at least a baccalaureate degree, and
    • Completed an approved program of teacher education, and SDSU Program
    • Passed The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification area. Praxis Info

    Because qualifying score requirements may be subject to change, each applicant for certification must meet the qualifying score for all applicable tests at the time their application for certification is received by the Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality.
     

  • Application Process
    To Apply for a South Dakota Teaching Certificate, candidates must:
    • Complete the Online Application Form
    • Make all payments, as required through the application process
    • Request an official transcript through the Registrar at South Dakota State University (that includes degree) to be sent to the Department of Education, as required through the application processRegistrar
    • Assure that the Certifying Officer has copies of all Praxis Exam scores
  • Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements
    To be highly qualified, teachers must be properly certified in all the content areas they are teaching. If they do not have a major and have contractual teaching experience prior to the 2002-03 school year, they must be fully authorized and have three years of teaching experience, a graduate degree or National Board Certification. 
     
  • South Dakota Teaching Positions
    To find out about available teaching and administrative positions in South Dakota, visit the online Teacher Placement Service run by the Associated School Boards.  Click Here  For a list of job openings with the State of South Dakota, including the Department of Education, visit the Bureau of Personnel's Job Bank.  Click Here
     
  • Questions or Concerns
    Contact Certifying Officer, Jennifer Weber, jennifer.weber@sdstate.edu, (605-688-4449) with questions or concerns.  You may also contact Secretary Bethany Pierce, bethany.pierce@sdstate.edu (605)688-5757.  The fax number for Certification is (605)688-6074.