Online Rank 1 Certification Program

Licensure for Kentucky teacher standards is established through a rank system. Generally speaking, the various “Ranks” denote the current level of education for the teaching professional. Teaching professionals are encouraged to make rank changes in order to achieve educational goals and advance their teaching careers.

Rank V are educators are those holding emergency certificates and who have sixty-four (64) to ninety-five (95) semester hours of approved college training (or the equivalent) online Rank 1 programs in Kentucky. Rank IV educators are those holding emergency certificates and who have ninety-six (96) to one hundred twenty-eight (128) semester hours of approved college training or the equivalent. Both Rank V and IV professionals are likely to fill substitute teaching roles. 

Rank III educators have earned a four-year teaching degree and hold a regular certificate in a specific area of education—such as elementary education. These teachers are expected to continue to develop as educators, often through the pursuit of a master’s degree, and achieve Rank II status at some point in their careers. Rank II teachers hold regular certificates and have a master's degree in a subject field approved by the Education Professional Standards Board (Educational Professional Standards Board). Rank 1 Kentucky teachers are professionals who hold regular certificates and have a master's degree in a subject field approved by the Education Professional Standards Board and have earned thirty (30) semester hours of approved graduate work. Rank I licensure can also be achieved by teachers who have met the requirements for Rank II and earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification.

Yes. Your online CA 1 Certification for Kentucky Teacher Education offers four distinct concentrations within administration leadership to help you follow curriculum that more closely matches your career goals. Each one of them is online to fit your schedule. Plus, these concentrations provide additional Kentucky teaching certificate options as you complete your CA 1 Certification for Kentucky Teacher Education program. Complete your certification program with a concentration in Director of Pupil Personnel, Director of Special Education, Special Education, Supervision of Instruction. A School Superintendent certificate can also be acquired as an additional certification. The ability to earn Rank 1 status while simultaneously obtaining additional certifications available throughout the year, in six (6) eight-week terms, allows Kentucky teachers to complete a rank change in less than a year.

Online rank 1 programs in Kentucky are designed to promote the development of a set of dispositions, pedagogical strategies, and technological skills that will enable you to meet the varied needs of diverse learners. The actualization of this vision is achieved through the attainment of conceptual, strategic, evaluative, and communicative knowledge.

Through our online Rank 1 programs in Kentucky, you can diversify and enhance your background as an educator with a certification in an area of interest. Prepare to take on the rewarding challenges of impacting learners through career paths such as the following:

• Director of Pupil Personnel
• Director of Special Education
• Director of Instructional Supervision
• District-Level K-12 Administration

Most Kentucky teachers enter the profession because they have a love of learning and they want to share that passion with others. They understand the light-bulb moment—that moment when understanding switches on and a young learner grasps a concept. Teachers live for this moment. 

At University of the Cumberlands, we get that. We live for those moments, too. We want to share with you a love of learning and the ability to constructively share that ability with others. That’s why we provide career-building online Rank 1 programs in Kentucky for educators online in an environment that imparts a breadth of information; an understanding of critical concepts; and a mastery of skills to support a life-long pursuit of educational excellence. 

And it’s why you pursue the education you need to achieve new levels of Kentucky teacher standards. It’s an investment in your teaching future that can open doors to new career opportunities, salary steps, better learning outcomes for your students and a more fulfilling educational experience for you. So, yes, this rank change certification program designed around Kentucky teacher standards is definitely “worth it.” 

Each course lasts eight weeks, called a bi-term. There are two bi-terms per semester, and three semesters per year (fall, spring, and summer). Many classes are asynchronous, meaning there is no set login time; you can work on schoolwork whenever you find time. Cumberlands provides free rental textbooks to online students as part of its One Price Promise.  

Is the program accredited?

Yes! University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and has national accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.

For more information:

KDE/EPSB – State Accreditation
University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is further accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB), 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. (502) 564-4606. Fax: (502) 564-7080.

CAEP – National Accreditation
The School of Education at University of the Cumberlands (UC) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level.  CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.  UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
 
CAEP Address: 1140 19th St NW #400, Washington, DC 20036
CAEP Phone Number: (202) 223-0077

You will be working with staff in the School of Education to make sure you are on track. UC offers a variety of programs in education so certain requirements do not apply to everyone. It is important to review your specific Plan Program/Curriculum Contract to know what is required of you.

The School of Education has provided a list of items you are required to have turned in by the time you complete your program. The list can be seen on your MyUC account located under the “Student Tab”. The list appears in red and will show the item(s) that are past due. Please do not be alarmed when you see this, it is a computer glitch and you need not worry. We are simply letting you know what is still needed from you at this point, as well as, what will be required of you to complete the program. It is our hope that you will have a smooth transition when you exit your program.