School of Education Career Changers
Welcome Career Changer! NDMU is ready to support your career transition.

Alternative Pathways in Preparing Teachers Program (ADAPPT)

Notre Dame of Maryland University's (NDMU) ADAPPT program will create certification pathways for career changers and conditionally licensed educators, supporting the state's Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. By leveraging existing preparation programs, ADAPPT aims to strengthen the teacher workforce, boost student success, and increase diversity—particularly among future high school educators.

NDMU will recruit cohorts of up to 15 participants with bachelor’s degrees into its Accelerated Certification in Teaching Program, offering academic support, discounted tuition, and Praxis exam tutoring. Participants will also have opportunities to earn credit for prior learning and complete competency-based coursework to accelerate progress. The University will build on partnerships with Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore County Public Schools, as well as the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington.

Programs 

  • Accelerated Certification in Teaching: non-degree, graduate-level, state-approved Teacher Education Program 
  • Bachelor of Arts in Education/Liberal Arts: bachelor's degree to prepare for initial teaching certification 
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): master's degree to prepare for initial teaching certification 
  • MAT/Graduate Education Internship: full-time, 10-month program to earn a master's degree and prepare for initial teaching certification 
  • Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: fully online or on campus master's degree for initial TESOL certification* 

*The MA in TESOL can also prepare for teaching post-secondary education, in addition to non-traditional educational settings, such as adult education ESL programs, or EFL (English as a Foreign Language) programs abroad. 

Accreditation 

The School of Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400 
Washington, DC, DC 20036 

Program Features

Rolling Admissions

Program start dates for new students take place every semester: fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Flexible Options

Fully online in a synchronous or asynchronous format with evening options available

Dual Certifications

We offer opportunities to become dual certified in high-need areas so that you are even more marketable for meaningful employment.

Quality Programs

NDMU teacher certification programs are nationally recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).