Yes, but conditions apply. The program must map courses to KSDE outcomes and support the needed endorsements.
Secondary education BA
A subject-specific BA gives content knowledge and teaching method training. Programs must show alignment to KSDE endorsement standards for licensure. Ask programs for a Course → KSDE Outcome mapping and endorsements list. Confirm student teaching placements meet KSDE clinical rules before enrolling.
What must programs prove to KSDE?
Programs must map each course to a KSDE Outcome ID. They must gather assessment evidence for those outcomes. The Kansas State Department of Education keeps endorsement lists and licensure rules. Refer to the KSDE site: Kansas State Department of Education. The most frequent error at this point is assuming course titles equal outcome coverage.
Which endorsements matter for hiring?
Endorsements name subject and grade span. Districts hire by endorsement, not by a generic BA title. If a program lists no endorsements, treat that as a red flag and ask the program coordinator for details.
How to read a course-to-outcome mapping
Look for three columns: course code, KSDE Outcome ID, and evidence type. A full mapping shows where students demonstrate each skill. This works well on paper, but in practice many mappings leave gaps in clinical evidence.
Always check course mappings before you enroll in a program.
Why some secondary BAs become dead-end degrees
A BA becomes a dead-end when it fails to match KSDE outcomes. It also fails if it lacks approved clinical placements or exam support. Demand proof of alignment and placement partnerships before enrolling.
Which program gaps stop licensure?
Missing KSDE outcome IDs for content or methods courses kills an endorsement application. Insufficient supervised clinical hours or non-approved cooperating teachers cause KSDE application delays. No paths for Praxis or performance assessments increases time to certification.
Hiring and market reasons for this
Districts prefer hires with completed endorsements and local placements. Subject shortages change yearly, with STEM and special education often hiring faster. Verify the program's three-year placement and Praxis pass rates; ask programs for these metrics before enrolling.
One common anonymous case
A student finished a Secondary English BA but found no mapped literacy artifact. They spent nine months reworking materials and paying for extra portfolio reviews. KSDE then accepted the file after the fixes.
Getting your kansas teaching license: step-by-step process
Follow this sequence to get Kansas initial licensure.
- Confirm program Course → KSDE outcome mapping.
- Complete content and methods courses.
- Pass required content exams (Praxis where applicable).
- Finish supervised student teaching.
- Submit performance assessment artifacts.
- File your KSDE application.
Expect the full process to take four to five years. Allow time for test retakes and portfolio work.
Semester-by-semester checklist
- Year 1: complete general education and begin subject major. Verify KSDE mapping for each course with the program.
- Year 2: finish core major classes and begin methods courses. Contact the program coordinator about student-teaching windows.
- Year 3: enroll in methods and classroom management. Start Praxis content-test prep and apply for student teaching.
- Year 4: student teach, submit performance assessment, and apply to KSDE for initial licensure.
Tests, fees, and schedule to budget
- Praxis/content tests (2024): about $120–$200 per test depending on the exam.
- Fingerprint and background checks: typically $50–$80.
- Performance assessment or edTPA fees: plan $100–$300 (programs vary on whether they cover this).
The legal deadline for KSDE application materials is the date on KSDE’s licensure page. Plan around that schedule.
What to submit to KSDE and when
- Submit official transcripts showing completed degree and required courses.
- Send passing content-test scores and performance assessment artifacts.
- The applicant files the KSDE application after student teaching and after required tests are passed.
Questions to ask and documents to collect from each program
- Can you provide a Course → KSDE Outcome mapping?
- What are the program’s three-year Praxis pass-rate statistics?
- Can you provide a list of student-teaching partner districts with contact names?
If unsure which program to trust, request these items from admissions before enrolling.
Course-by-course mapping: what to demand from programs
Demand a table linking each required course to the exact KSDE standard and the assessment. If a program cannot supply this table, treat it as non-verified. The error most frequent in this area is accepting course descriptions instead of mapped standards.
Quick mapping checklist
1. Course code → KSDE ID
2. Assessment type (exam, rubric, artifact)
3. Evidence location (portfolio item)
What the mapping table must include
Include course code, course title, exact KSDE outcome ID, and the assessment method. The mapping must show content knowledge and teaching skills are assessed. Ask for sample rubrics or a scored artifact.
Sample mapping row
Course: ENG 421. Secondary Lit Methods 6–12. KSDE Outcome: ELA.6-12.3. Assessment: unit plan + student teaching lesson observation (rubric score 3+). Evidence stored in candidate portfolio, Item 4.
Fillable checklists to request from
- Degree-plan checklist (semester-by-semester) showing how each course builds an endorsement.
- Student-teaching partner district list with contact names.
- Program Praxis pass rate summary for the last three years.
Degree-plan checklist (example):
[Year 1, Fall] ENG 101, MATH 101, Major 1
[Year 1, Spring] ENG 102, HIST 201, Major 2
[Year 2, Fall] Major 3, Teaching Foundations
[Year 2, Spring] Methods I, Content elective
[Year 3, Fall] Methods II, Apply for student teaching
[Year 3, Spring] Student Teaching, Submit performance assessment
A concrete subject-specific mapping example helps hiring teams verify endorsement readiness. For English 6–12, a program should show rows like the sample row above. For History 6–12 and Spanish 6–12, include exact KSDE outcome IDs and clear evidence locations.
Comparing kansas programs: cost, time, placement data
Compare programs by total in-state cost, typical semesters to licensure, CAEP accreditation, Praxis pass rates, and program-reported one-year placement rate. Use program-reported data from the last three academic years when available. Verify numbers with program coordinators before deciding.
What columns a decision-ready table must include
Tuition (in-state, per year), typical semesters-to-license, CAEP accredited (yes/no), Praxis pass rate (3-yr avg), and program-reported 1-yr placement percentage. If a program cannot supply these, mark the field as "request from program."
Quick comparative table for five kansas programs
| Program |
Est. In-state tuition/yr (2023-24) |
Semesters to license (typical) |
CAEP accreditation |
Program-reported 1-yr placement % (latest) |
| University of Kansas |
~$11,000 |
8–10 |
Yes |
Request from program |
| Kansas State University |
~$8,500 |
8–10 |
Yes |
Request from program |
| Wichita State University |
~$7,500 |
8–10 |
Varies by program |
Request from program |
| Emporia State University |
~$7,000 |
8–9 |
Yes |
Request from program |
| Pittsburg State University |
~$7,500 |
8–10 |
Yes |
Request from program |
Numbers above are estimates for 2023–24 undergraduate in-state tuition and typical time-to-license. Request recent program-reported placement and Praxis pass rates before deciding.
Choosing a Kansas Secondary Education BA pays off when the program proves outcome alignment and district partnerships. The program must help pass content exams and place candidates in supervised student teaching. If those supports are missing, pick another route or add endorsements that match district demand.
Realistic employment metrics show how hireable graduates are.
- Program-reported three-year placement rates for Kansas secondary programs commonly range from 70% to 90%.
- STEM and special education endorsements often show higher hiring demand.
- Example snapshots reported by some programs: University A: three-year placement 85%, months-to-first-job 3, Praxis pass rate 88%.
- Regional snapshots: three-year placement 72% and Praxis pass rate 80%.
- Median first-year salaries in Kansas commonly range from $36,000 to $48,000 for new secondary teachers.
- Outliers who need extra endorsements or portfolio fixes can take 9–12 months to find a job.
Including placement %, median starting salary, time-to-hire, and Praxis pass rates helps applicants compare programs by measurable outcomes.
Alternatives: avoid dead-ends and boost employability
If a program shows gaps, add endorsements, work as a paraeducator, or use an approved alternative certification route. Short-term steps increase hireability while finishing licensure requirements. Programs with strong district links reduce time-to-hire and improve placement odds.
Short-term moves that help hiring chances
- Add a high-demand endorsement such as Special Education or ESL.
- Work as a paraeducator or substitute to build local experience and references.
- Complete Praxis tests early to avoid application delays after graduation.
Longer-term alternatives to a risky BA
Consider an approved alternative certification program that leads to initial licensure if the BA lacks mapping. A targeted MAT or M.Ed. helps only when it shortens time-to-endorsement or offers placement partnerships. Verify that any alternative route is KSDE-recognized before committing.
This guidance does not apply if you seek elementary or pre-K certification. It also does not apply if you aim for out-of-state licensure or non-licensed education jobs. If already Kansas-licensed, follow your current rules. Check KSDE or the receiving state's rules in each case.
Request course mappings, Praxis pass rates, and placement data from programs before enrolling.
FAQ: secondary education BA licensing in kansas
What specific courses satisfy KSDE endorsement?
KSDE requires content knowledge courses plus pedagogy courses mapped to outcome IDs for each endorsement. The exact course list varies by subject and program. Action: ask for the program's Course → KSDE Outcome table and example artifacts.
How long does the kansas licensure process?
Most candidates finish degree and licensure work in four years, but retakes and portfolio revisions commonly extend the timeline to five years. Budget extra semesters for test retakes and application processing. Allow at least six weeks for KSDE to review a complete application.
Can online or hybrid secondary BAs lead to KS?
Yes, but only when the program provides approved in-person clinical placements and a clear mapping to KSDE outcomes. The program must document supervised student teaching in Kansas partner districts. Ask for a list of partner schools and sample placement agreements.
How do small rural district hires affect early hiring?
Rural districts often hire candidates with multiple endorsements and local experience. A single-subject BA in a high-demand area can speed hiring, but candidates often add endorsements to stay competitive. Check recent district hiring lists and KSDE shortage reports for subject demand.
What are realistic first-year salaries for kansas?
District salary schedules vary widely by district and subject. Use program-reported placement lists and local district salary schedules to estimate median starting pay. National comparisons mislead; focus on the districts where you plan to apply.
Which tests does KSDE require for secondary?
KSDE generally requires Praxis Subject Assessments or state-approved alternatives for content endorsement and sometimes a performance assessment. Test lists change; confirm with KSDE and the program coordinator. Expect Praxis subject test fees around $120–$200 per test in 2024.
