OKLAHOMA
STATE RESOURCES

Oklahoma requires all special educators to earn a bachelor's degree in Special Education from an Oklahoma Accredited Education Preparation Program.

Learn more here: https://oklahoma.gov/teach-ok/certification/bachelors-degree-or-higher-in-education/special-education.html 

Oklahoma educators must pass the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT) and the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT). Additional testing is required for special educators, depending on specialization. 

• Earn a bachelor's degree;

• Create a Single Sign-On account to start the application process;

• Complete all required testing;

• Obtain a Recommendation for Certification from your university upon completion of your degree;

• Submit to background testing and fingerprinting.

More details on the licensure process can be found here: https://oklahoma.gov/teach-ok/certification/bachelors-degree-or-higher-in-education/special-education.html 

Oklahoma offers a non-traditional path for special education licensure. Referred to as "Boot Camp," participants must hold an advanced degree in any field or a Bachelor's degree with a 2.75 or higher GPA. More details on alternative paths to accreditation can be found here: https://oklahoma.gov/teach-ok/certification/bachelors-degree-or-higher-not-in-education/special-education.html 

Oklahoma's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program provides a list of Oklahoma Accredited Education Preparation Programs: https://oklahoma.gov/teach-ok/certification/high-school-diploma-or-equivalent/special-education.html 

• Oklahoma Council for Exceptional Children - https://oklahoma.exceptionalchildren.org/ 

• Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association - https://okea.org/about-oea/oklahoma-aspiring-educators-association/ 

• Inspired to Teach Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship & Employment Incentive Program - https://okhighered.org/otc/inspired-to-teach/ 

• OK College Start Scholarship Database - https://secure.okcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarships.aspx 

Oklahoma's Promise offers qualified Oklahoma students scholarship opportunities: https://okpromise.org/