K–12 Certification Requirements

Accepted Semester Hours of College Credit

You may select any regionally accredited institution from which to earn college credit semester hours. For recommendations on fulfilling these required semester hours of credit, please contact certification@acsi.org.

Before enrolling and incurring expenses, we recommend emailing the course title, description, and the name of the organization or college offering the course to certification@acsi.org for pre-approval.

Many teachers also use The Teaching Channel, whom we have partnered with to offer a discount for graduate level credit courses for ACSI member school teachers.  A course pre-approval form is located on the Teaching Channel ACSI landing page for your convenience.

Renewals

When renewing your certification, ACSI will require an official transcript (copies or scans of official transcripts are also accepted). Letters of completion or final grade reports will not be accepted.

You may include a copy of the official transcript with your renewal application or indicate on the application that you request it be sent directly from the institution to ACSI.

Equivalency Report Providers

Those who have earned a degree outside the United States may need to provide an equivalency report verifying that the degree(s) they earned are at least equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. A list of recommended equivalency report providers can be found here: Equivalency Report Providers.

Biblical Studies

ACSI emphasizes the importance of Christian school teachers and administrators having a strong understanding of God’s Word to integrate into their lives and teaching. This commitment is evident in the Biblical Studies Requirements section of your certification criteria. Courses or studies must adhere to ACSI's standards to qualify for Bible CEUs.

View Biblical Studies CEU Requirements

Continuing Education Units

ACSI champions the profound impact of continuous professional development, seamless tracking of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and the attainment and maintenance of certifications for Christian school administrators and teachers. We believe wholeheartedly that these initiatives empower educators to embrace growth through actionable steps, fostering a deep transformation in their commitment to advancing Christ-centered education.

Christian Philosophy of Education (CPoE)

To achieve the Standard certificate level, fulfilling the Christian Philosophy of Education (CPoE) requirement is necessary. There are multiple options available to satisfy this requirement.

Explore CPoE

Alternative Certifications For Unique Situations

• NILD Acceptance
• Spanish Language Institute
• NACCAP Acceptance
• NIAAA Acceptance