Current Teachers Seeking Endorsements

Advance Your Educator Career: For Current Educators Seeking Additional Endorsements

Whether you're looking to expand your teaching expertise, add a new endorsement, or open the door to new opportunities within education, there are multiple pathways available to help you reach your professional goals. Explore endorsement options, requirements, preparation programs, and resources to help you understand your options and determine the pathway that's right for you.

Complete the Career Advancement for Licensed Staff form to let Human Resources know you're enrolled in a program, in the process of applying, or interested in exploring new endorsement areas or career opportunities.

Career Advancement for Licensed Staff

Before You Get Started

Before researching next steps, take a few minutes to think about your professional goals.

Ask yourself:

What endorsement or license area do I want to add?
What age or grade level do I want to work with?
Am I interested in remaining in the classroom or transitioning into a specialized role?
Will this endorsement help me reach my long-term career goals?
Does my desired endorsement require a master's degree, practicum, internship, or clinical experience?

Understanding your goals before researching will help you narrow your options and select an endorsement/ program that best fits your needs.

Explore High-Need Endorsement & Licensure Areas

As you consider your next career step, you may wish to explore endorsement and licensure areas that are in high demand across North Clackamas School District. Pursuing one of these areas can expand your professional opportunities while helping meet the evolving needs of our students.

Current High-Need Areas

Special Education Teachers
English Language Development Specialists (ESOL)
Dual Language Immersion (DLI)/Bilingual Teachers
Secondary Math Teachers
Secondary Science Teachers

Understanding Your Endorsement Options

Below is a chart to help you determine whether the endorsement you're pursuing requires a formal teacher preparation program or if it can be completed with a content area test and a teaching practicum.

Complete a Content Test & Practicum Pathway

Pursue a TSPC-Approved Teacher Preparation Program

Adding an Endorsement/ Completing an Additional Program

Endorsements That Do NOT Require a Program:

Advanced Mathematics	Foundational Science
Agricultural Science	Foundational Social Studies
Biology	Health
Business: Generalist	Integrated Sciences
Business: Marketing	Physics
Career Trades: Generalist	Social Studies
Chemistry	Speech (Forensics)
English Language Arts	World Language: Chinese, French
Family and Consumer Science	World Language: German, Latin
Foundational English Language Arts	World Language: Russian, Spanish
Foundational Mathematics

Endorsements & Other Professions Requiring a Program

Elementary	World Language: Japanese
Reading Intervention	CTE Endorsement
Special Education	School Counselor
English as a Second Language (ESOL)	School Psychologist
Music	School Social Worker
Art	Speech Language Pathologist
Drama
Physical Education

Teacher Preparation Program Pathway

Pursue a TSPC-Approved Teacher Preparation Program Pathway

If your endorsement requires a preparation program pathway, follow these steps:

1. Explore TSPC-Approved Programs

Visit the TSPC Approved Oregon Programs page to identify colleges and universities offering your desired endorsement or licensure program.

As you compare programs, use the NCSD Exploring TSPC-Approved Programs Checklist and consider the following:

Does the university offer the endorsement or specialty you're interested in?
Is the program approved by TSPC?
What credential will you earn?
- Endorsement Only
- Graduate Certificate
- Master's Degree
- Doctoral Degree
Does the program align with your current education level?
Is it designed for working professionals?
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Does the program require practicum, internship, or clinical experiences?
Can any practicum experiences be completed within your current position?

2. Narrow Your Options

After identifying several programs that interest you:

Compare admission requirements.
Review tuition costs and financial aid opportunities.
Contact the university's program coordinator.
Attend information sessions or open houses.
Ask questions about coursework, timelines, practicum expectations, and program flexibility.

Taking the time to compare programs will help you determine which one best aligns with your professional goals.

3. Explore Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities

Many colleges and universities offer financial assistance to support educators pursuing additional endorsements or advanced degrees.

Consider exploring:

Scholarships
Grants
Tuition assistance
Loan forgiveness programs
NCSD Professional Development Funds (Please email us at PD@nclack.k12.or.us to find out the amount of PD funds available to you, based on FTE and start date)

Research financial aid opportunities early, as many have application deadlines that occur well before the start of a program.

4. Submit Your Application

Once you've selected the program that's right for you:

Complete your application before the deadline.
Request official transcripts.
Submit required essays or personal statements.
Request letters of recommendation (if applicable).
Submit any required assessments or test scores.
Keep copies of all application materials.
Monitor your application status and respond promptly to requests for additional information.

5. Inform Your Administrator

After you've enrolled in a program, let your building administrator know as soon as possible.

Keeping your administrator informed allows them to support your professional goals and begin planning for any future practicum, internship, or clinical experiences that may require flexibility in your work schedule.

Early communication helps ensure a smooth experience for both you and your school.

6. Plan Ahead for Your Practicum or Internship

Many endorsement programs require practicum, internship, or clinical experiences before program completion.

Complete the Career Advancement for Licensed Staff form to let Human Resources know you're enrolled in a program that will require a future practicum or internship experience.

Providing advance notice helps HR:

Plan for future placement needs.
Provide guidance on district expectations.
Coordinate with your building when appropriate.
Support you throughout your educator preparation journey.

Add-On Endorsement Program Offerings

Add On Endorsement Program Offerings:

Looking to add a program required endorsement to your current license? Endorsement programs can be completed in 10-16 months, depending upon the number of courses you take.

ESOL

Reading Interventionist

Special Education (SPED)

School Counseling Programs

Complete a Content Test & Practicum Pathway

If your endorsement qualifies for this pathway, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Required Test

2. Prepare for the Content Test with 240 Tutoring

We partner with 240 Tutoring, a resource that many NCSD staff have used successfully. Through this partnership, you get access to study guides, flashcards, and practice tests—all at a discounted monthly rate.

Please use the discount flyer provided here:

240 Tutoring Discount Flyer

Please Note: NCSD staff can use their professional development funds to be reimbursed for this cost after you have taken the test. Many staff have leveraged 240 Tutoring to pass their tests, so it’s a reliable resource!

3. Take the Test

4. Complete the 60-Hour Practicum

You must complete 60 hours actively teaching in the subject area of the endorsement you wish to obtain.

These must be student-facing, directly teaching the content-not observation nor volunteer hours.
TSPC requires evidence that you have gained the necessary pedagogy skills to teach this subject area so NCSD is required to report these completed hours to TSPC on your behalf.
The practicum must be supervised by an educator who holds a professional or legacy teaching license with that specific endorsement you are pursuing.

If you are not currently teaching in that area, you may need to take a short leave of absence to complete those hours.

Notify your administrator and the Associate Director for Licensed Staff as soon as possible if a leave is needed and submit the leave of absence paperwork to HR.

5. Track Your Practicum Hours

6. Adding the Endorsement

Ready to Complete Your Practicum or Internship?

When you’re ready to begin your student teaching or practicum, take a moment to review the NCSD Practicum, Student Teacher, Intern, & Mentor Handbook to become familiar with NCSD’s placement process and what to expect throughout your experience.

NCSD Practicum, Student Teacher, Intern, & Mentor Handbook

The handbook outlines important information, responsibilities, and expectations for everyone involved in the placement process, including student candidates, Cooperating Supervisors, building administrators, university partners, and the NCSD HR Placements Team.

updated 9-15-2026 -

Get Social with NCSD

Current Teachers Seeking Endorsements

Advance Your Educator Career: For Current Educators Seeking Additional Endorsements

Current High-Need Areas

Understanding Your Endorsement Options

Ready to Complete Your Practicum or Internship?