No two states have the same requirements. If you're in the classroom now and considering a move or if you're investigating scholastic media as a career, trying to find out what it takes to become a journalism teacher in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia can be a challenge.

There's no certification or licensure that gives you national credentials. And each state seems to have a little different set-up, which makes exploring your options complicated.

To that end, the Center for Scholastic Journalism has set up this site with explanations and links to further information on a state-by-state basis and plans to monitor changes to keep up with current developments.

-Candace Perkins Bowen, executive director of the Center for Scholastic Journalism

How to use:

From the homepage, hover over 'Certification' and click on 'States.'
Every state is color coded. Hover over the state to view the color and click-through for further information.

Red= The state has a scholastic journalism endorsement.

Blue= The state either
a) offers journalism as a supplemental subject endorsement;
b) requires a certain amount of credits needed to add a journalism endorsement, or;
c) lists a subject endorsement (for example, English or language arts) in which journalism can be taught.

Click on each state to view detailed information regarding:

-Journalism endorsement availability (and if not, what provisions needed in order to teach j)
-Required state assessments or certification tests
-NCATE or National Accreditation Required
-Teacher preparation program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
-Member of the State Sponsored Testing Program (SSTP)
-Accepts candidates from states participating in the NASDTEC Interstate Contract
-Any additional certification information

 

*Graduate student Katy Zupan has compiled this information from the links and resources available on every page.

 

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Certification Map