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As students sharpen their pencils and head back to class this fall, schools across the country continue to face the same decade-long challenge: a shortage of teachers. To help fill classrooms, states and colleges are offering faster, more flexible ways for aspiring educators to get certified.

And here’s some good news: 529 accounts can help cover these costs. Because federal law now recognizes many workforce development and credentialing programs as qualified education expenses, you may be able to use your 529 savings to pay for tuition, required fees, books and in some cases certification exams.1

Related: 6 Ways to Use Your 529 Account for Expanded Purposes

Here are five teacher certification pathways you can complete in under a year:

1. Alternative Teacher Certification Programs (State-Approved)

Many states offer alternative teacher certification programs for those with a bachelor’s degree who want to transition quickly into teaching. These programs, often less than 12 months long, prepare candidates to teach in high-demand subjects like math, science or special education.2

Things to Consider: State-approved credentialing programs offered through accredited institutions qualify as eligible education expenses.

 

2. Career Switcher Programs

Designed for professionals changing fields, career switcher programs are offered in states like Texas, Virginia and Florida.3 Participants complete intensive coursework and classroom training to move into teaching roles in under a year.

Things to Consider: These programs are recognized by state departments of education and delivered by accredited providers.

 

3. Accelerated Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Universities nationwide offer post-baccalaureate certification programs that focus solely on teacher licensure requirements. These often condense coursework into two or three accelerated semesters.

Things to Consider: These programs are offered by accredited colleges and universities so tuition and required expenses qualify.

 

4. Teaching Assistant to Teacher Pathways

Many school districts partner with colleges to create “bridge” programs that help paraprofessionals or teaching assistants earn full licensure quickly. With prior classroom experience, these programs can be completed in under a year.4

Things to Consider: These programs are 529-fund eligible if they are offered through an accredited educational institution.

 

5. Licensure Exam Prep and Certification Bootcamps

Some states and universities run short-term bootcamps that prepare candidates to pass teaching licensure exams such as Praxis or state-specific tests.5 While not always full degree programs, they are state-recognized and often linked to certification pathways.

Things to Consider: Exam prep courses and required testing fees can be covered if they’re part of a recognized postsecondary credential program.

Students aren’t the only ones preparing for a new year of learning this fall. Adults who dream of teaching can also head “back to school” themselves, through accelerated certification programs that make a career in education possible in less than 12 months.

And with a 529 account, those steps toward the classroom can be funded with the same tax-advantaged savings families already use for college tuition.

Now is the perfect time to explore how a short-term program could put you or someone you know at the head of the class by next year.

1. Saving for College – What You Can Pay for With a 529 Plan (savingforcollege.com).
2. National Council on Teacher Quality – Alternative Teacher Certification (nctq.org).
3. EducateVA – Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure (educateva.com).
4. Teach.org – Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathways (teach.org).
5. ETS – Praxis Preparation Programs (https://praxis.ets.org/ ).