Congratulations! You graduated!

Bachelor's and MAT Students:

Follow these steps to obtain your license

Apply for your license at TeachMontana.com

  1. Begin your application - portfolio path
  2. Request your official transcript - type 'transcript' into the MSU search bar and follow the instructions
  3. Upload your IEFA certificate
  4. Initiate a new background check through OPI
  5. Complete the character and fitness section

University Recommendation from your EPP

This is completed by the Field Placement and Licensing Office. Click the link below and complete the form to join the queue! Once you have green check-marks in all the elements that are your responsibility, follow the link below: 

Request the University Recommendation by completing this form

**PLEASE NOTE** Your transcript, degree information, and university recommendation sections cannot be completed until your degree has been conferred. You can start the process and gather materials, but it cannot be completed unless DegreeWorks has been updated. This can take up to 4 weeks after your final class.

**2nd Note** Your university recommendation cannot be completed unless it is the FINAL step on your TeachMontana application. Do be sure that all other elements have been completed and show a green check-mark.

More About the Class 1 License

The Class 1 license is for teachers who have obtained their Master's Degree. 

  1. You can upgrade from a class 2 if you took additional coursework to obtain your Master's.
  2. You can apply for a class 1 if you obtained your Master's before teaching.
  3. The Class 1 standard teacher license is issued by OPE and is valid for five years. 
  4. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for those qualified individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and who live and wish to teach in rural communities within Montana. The MAT is a full-time intensive program requiring a one-year commitment.

More about the Class 2 license

The Class 2 standard teacher license is issued by OPI and valid for five years. To be eligible for an MSU licensure recommendation in Montana, individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, have successfully completed an MSU-approved teacher education program in a qualifying licensure endorsement area approved by the Board of Public Education (BPE), successfully fulfilled an appropriately supervised teaching experience, and met Montana Assessment of Content Knowledge requirements with no score under "2" and at least 7 total points.

Requirements

To be recommended for a Montana Initial Educator License (Class 1 or 2), teacher candidates must meet these requirements:

  1. Completion of the online course “Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” 
  2. Completion of Montana State University’s approved educator preparation program including appropriate supervised teaching experience.  
  3. Bachelor or Master of Arts in Teaching degree awarded and posted.

Additionally, applicants must receive  

  • A 3.00 or higher coursework GPA and verified by the appropriate official from the educator preparation program. 
  • A passing score/grade on a student teaching portfolio verified by the appropriate official from the educator preparation program.