Rhode Island Teaching Fellows provides a unique opportunity for dedicated individuals seeking to launch their teaching careers – including an unparalleled summer training, job search support, ongoing professional development through Content Seminars, and the chance to teach full-time (earning full salary and benefits) while earning certification. Each year, we strive to keep our program costs low and competitive among other traditional and alternative certification programs. RITF program tuition remains lower than the state average for all certification programs.

There is no enrollment fee and there is no cost for our summer training institute.  The costs that Fellows will incur are testing fees, certification fees as required by the Rhode Island Department of Education and tuition for certification seminars.

Tuition

The tuition for the Practitioner Teacher Program (PTP) is $6,000 and is payable throughout the Fellows’ first year of teaching.  Fellows’ first payment toward the tuition is a non-refundable tuition deposit which must be paid by September 1, 2010. The tuition deposit is $250 for general education Fellows and $350 for special education/general education dual certification Fellows. The remaining tuition amount will be paid when you secure a full-time teaching position in your assigned subject area.  Payments are made through one of our flexible payment plans throughout the 2010-2011 school year.

The $6,000 fee is the program’s entire tuition, including the costs for our seminar leaders, professional development program, and all associated materials; tuition does not include testing fees and other state-mandated expenses (see below.)

Additional Fees

In addition to PTP tuition, all new teachers are required to take and pass state-specific tests and complete certification requirements. As a result, teacher candidates will be asked to incur additional state and testing-related expenses as they pursue certification. A summary of the additional costs that candidates can expect to encounter is provided below.

Testing Fees

All individuals interested in becoming an educator in Rhode Island are required to take and successfully pass these exams*:

• Praxis I
• Praxis II content area exam(s)

The nonrefundable registration fee charged once per testing year is $50.  Testing fees are paid directly to the testing company, ETS.  Charges for Praxis I and Praxis II exams vary based on whether you take the computer-based or paper test and how early you register.  For a full list of ETS Praxis fees visit the ETS fees website.

* Fellows will also be required to take and pass the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam during their first year of teaching.

State Certification Costs

Fellows will be required to pay the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) the following certification fees, in order to pursue their teacher certification:

• ACPC Certificate Fee (paid in order to be considered “Highly Qualified” to teach during first year of teaching while participated in certification seminars): $100 per certification area*
• Full Professional Certificate Fee (paid at the end of the first year of teaching): $200**

*Special Education Fellows receive a dual certification in Special Education and their content area (e.g., English).  Thus, Special Education Fellows pay for two certifications.  Other Fellows may also choose to seek dual certification, on a case-by-case basis, as approved by RITF. 

** One 5 Year Professional Certificate will be renewed at $200 per 5 year cycle.  Each additional 5 Year Professional Certificate will be renewed at $100 per 5 year cycle.

Note: Fellows who add endorsements to their certification will also be responsible for additional certification charges as mandated by RIDE. 

For more information, visit: http://www.ride.ri.gov/EducatorQuality/DOCS/Certification/Fees/2009%20cert%20fees.pdf

Summary of Costs