Keene State College Educator Preparation Programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the National Association of Schools of Music. Additionally, all EP Programs have approval from the New Hampshire State Board of Education and the New Hampshire Council for Teacher Education (NHCTE). Completion of KSC Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) leads to recommendation for endorsement for teacher licensure with the New Hampshire Department of Education. Upon completion of an EPP, candidates may also request verification of program completion to other states. For information on reciprocity and obtaining a teaching license in a state other than NH, please contact the Educator Preparation Office for assistance, edprepoffice@keene.edu. You can also contact the Department of Education for the state in which you are interested in pursuing licensure. Reciprocity does not mean an educator license from one state is automatically exchanged for a license in another state. The educator may have to complete additional requirements, such as coursework, assessments, or classroom experience, before receiving a full professional certificate in the new state.
Keene State College manages EPP progression by its Decision Points. Students who successfully pass Decision Point 5 are recommended for endorsement for licensure to the New Hampshire Department of Education.
The New Hampshire Department of Education Educator Information System (NH DOE EIS) is an online system to apply for and/or maintain New Hampshire educator licensure. The steps for this electronic licensure process are as follows:
Application Process for Keene State College Recommendation For Endorsement For New Hampshire Educator Certification
- During Methods I/1st Practicum the Educator Preparation Office and clinical experience faculty will assist students in creating an account in the NH DOE EIS system. Students will then provide their Educator ID Number to the EPO who will enter them in the NH DOE system for their Professional Educator Preparation Program (PEPP)
- After entry to the PEPP, the student will complete the NH DOE PEPP Background Check Process. The EPO will assist students in completing the NH DOE application and being fingerprinted.
- Students will not be able to proceed into their student teaching placement until their NH DOE status for background check becomes Issued
- Upon completion of their academic program and verification of meeting all Decision Point 5 criteria for licensure programs, Keene State College recommends each candidate for endorsement for licensure with the State of NH Department of Education.
- Candidates will log back into their NH DOE EIS account to complete the licensure process. While awaiting licensure it is possible to pursue employment opportunities.
- Candidates have three years from their date of graduation to complete all Educator Preparation Program requirements and obtain their recommendation. After that timeframe candidates will have to work directly with the state to obtain a license.
- Candidates have three years from their date of recommendation to NH DOE to apply for their license. After that timeframe candidates will have to work directly with the state to obtain a license.