Comparing Alternative Teacher Certification Providers in 2025

Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation program is the quickest program to become a teacher — enabling you to get certified in as little as 9 months. Teach Away’s program takes 9-24 months to complete while Teachers of Tomorrow takes 10-12 months to complete.

It's important to consider factors like tuition and other costs; how long it will take to complete the program; the curriculum focus; and what support services will be provided to you. 

For an in-depth look at what to consider when picking an alternative teacher certification provider or teacher/educator preparation program (EPP), grab a no-cost copy of The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Right-Fit Educator Preparation Program. 

This varies by program. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program can be completed in as little as 9 months, and you can choose to add on a Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) program after that with just 3 additional months of coursework. Most other alternative teacher certification programs typically take 1-2 years to complete and do not have an option to add a master’s degree onto the certificate program.

Yes! Alternative teacher certification programs like Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW program are designed with busy professionals in mind, allowing you to balance your studies with work and life’s other responsibilities. Not all programs are designed with this in mind, though, so be sure to take a close look at how the programs you’re considering are structured and if they are offered online, in-person, or in a hybrid format.

Accreditation ensures that a teacher certification program meets the high standards of academic quality and rigor set by independent accrediting organizations. Choosing an accredited program like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW gives you confidence that your education will be recognized by schools, districts, and educational institutions worldwide. It also ensures that you receive the training and preparation needed to be an effective and qualified teacher, so you are equipped with the right skills to give your students a great education. 

Choosing a program with a global perspective helps make sure your certification is recognized and respected throughout the world's variety of educational systems. This is especially important if you plan to teach, work, or collaborate in different countries or diverse cultural settings. Being globally recognized means that a program is credible and meets universal standards of quality, which can help open doors to more career opportunities for its alumni. Additionally, these programs’ global perspectives are often built into their curriculum, preparing you to effectively engage with students and colleagues from varied backgrounds.

Choosing the best teacher/educator preparation program for you will depend on several factors. But, in general, you might: 

• Think about program format – Will taking in-person classes fit with your schedule and responsibilities or is a fully remote program a better fit for your life? 

• Consider program length – The faster you’re able to complete your program, the fast you can become a fully licensed teacher and receive the financial benefits and job opportunities that come along with being certified. 

• Compare tuition costs – This includes scholarships, grants, financing options, and payment plans. Program length can also be a factor here since the sooner you become certified, the sooner the credential can be reflected in your salary. 

• Ask about mentorship and support – Outside of coursework, how will a program set you up for success? Moreland University provides each candidate with a dedicated mentor and informative, supportive resources to help them perform their best on certification exams and become confident, skillful teachers.  

 Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate program is 100% online program that combines a global perspective with a flexible, affordable design to help aspiring teachers gain practical instructional skills quickly while receiving supportive test preparation. 

As a pioneer of 100% online educator preparation programs, Moreland offers unparalleled flexibility with self-paced programs that meet the needs of aspiring teachers and career changers. Additionally, our programs are among the most reputable and well-respected in the industry because of the comprehensive support and mentorship our candidates receive. 

One of Moreland’s founding principles is that earning a teaching certification shouldn't leave you with overwhelming debt. That's why we offer a comprehensive program like TEACH-NOW for a competitive price, giving you the freedom to start your teaching career on your own terms. 

We also understand that life is busy. That’s why our 100% online, self-paced certification program is ideal for working professionals and career changers, so you can balance coursework with your other commitments while preparing for your dream career. 

Unlike large educator prep providers, we match candidates with experienced mentors and advisors to help guide you through every phase of certification, from coursework to licensing. It’s a strategy that’s helped Moreland graduates earn teaching jobs in classrooms across the United States and around the world. 

Our programs are designed to meet the needs of educators wherever they are, making Moreland the right choice no matter where you teach — or where you want to teach in the future.

While both Moreland and TeachAway aim to support aspiring educators, Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program provides a unique combination of flexibility, personalized support, and candidate success on teacher certification exams that sets it apart. 

While TeachAway is primarily known for its efforts to connect educators with teaching opportunities rather than offering in-depth teacher preparation, Moreland’s main focus is on providing accredited, fully online programs designed specifically to help working professionals become certified teachers or earn master’s degrees. This includes a dedicated mentor and support system that help equip candidates with the knowledge and confidence they need to excel.

While both Moreland’s TEACH-NOW Program and iTeach are designed to help individuals achieve their teaching certification, Moreland offers a more comprehensive and globally focused approach. Unlike iTeach, which primarily focuses on a handful of state-specific certifications in the U.S., Moreland’s program is accredited to help teachers in a variety of states and internationally because it designed to prepare educators for teaching roles in diverse environments with global perspectives.  

Additionally, Moreland provides a highly supportive learning system through personalized mentorship, expert faculty instruction, and peer collaboration in a global cohort model, creating a connected and guided experience. iTeach often focuses on a more independent learning format.

There are some notable similarities and differences in TEACH-NOW and TeacherReady’s approaches to teacher preparation. While both programs are offered fully online with hands-on clinical learning experiences, Moreland’s provides a more comprehensive approach by combining flexibility with in-depth training methods. This includes a combination of online coursework, classroom experience, and guided mentorship to ensure that aspiring teachers are equipped with the practical skills and instructional knowledge needed to confidently lead a classroom.

TEACH-NOW and Teachers of Tomorrow are both popular among educators, but there are notable differences between the certification programs. Teachers of Tomorrow’s coursework is done independently, primarily through a mix of live and on-demand webinars. Moreland's comprehensive approach combines one live Zoom session per week with a global cohort and collaborative learning in addition to individual coursework and hands-on clinical learning for a well-rounded curriculum that results in graduates who feel better prepared, confident, and supported as they step into their teaching careers.

While both Moreland and Teach For America share a commitment to addressing educational inequities, their approaches are significantly different. Teach for America offers an accelerated path into teaching, helping pair aspiring teachers with job opportunities in underserved areas, where they may pursue educator certification during their 2-year full-time teaching commitment. This leads to variable costs and timelines to certification depending on region. 

On the other hand, Moreland University is an accredited educational institution with TEACH-NOW being a reputable teacher preparation certificate program. It emphasizes rigorous preparation, dedicated mentorship, and tailored support to help aspiring teachers develop a deeper understanding of pedagogy and classroom management skills to enter their careers with a sense of confidence and readiness to succeed.

When considering alternative certification pathways at universities, Moreland University and Western Governors University (WGU) are two of the more popular options that aspiring teachers consider. However, they offer distinct approaches to teacher preparation. WGU’s self-paced learning allows candidates to progress through their combined bachelor’s degree and teacher certification coursework at their own speed, though most candidates finish in an average of 3 years. 

On the other hand, Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program provides candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree with the opportunity to earn their teaching certification in as little as 9 months through a structured, collaborative, 100% online approach. TEACH-NOW provides candidates with dedicated mentorship, hands-on clinical learning (student teaching), and consistent support throughout the program to help them grow into confident educators.