The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) requires teachers to hold a teacher license issued by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The district has a two-tier certification system. Certification seekers who have completed an OSSE-approved teacher preparation program may apply for a Standard Credential right away. Other applicants (without any prior contracted teaching experience) are issued an Initial Credential, which is a nonrenewable certification that is issued to applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for the Standard Credential. Initial Credential can be converted to a Standard Credential after two years of successful teaching experience. For additional information about certification, please consult the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
This is a list that the District maintains of approved credentialing programs. Use this list to search for credentialing programs that fit your needs. This list displays all credentialing programs (including those that are not specifically for world language teaching). The District may periodically change this list. Credential-seeking individuals must attend a program from this approved list to receive credentials in the District of Columbia.