Advanced Degree Comparability Review

Under Title 70 O.S. § 6-187.v2, the State Board of Education may grant an exception to the subject area exam requirement for initial teacher certification in fields that do not require an advanced degree if the candidate holds a graduate degree from an accredited institution in a subject that is substantially comparable to the content assessed by the exam. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability (CEQA) provides the necessary information to the State Board to determine comparability.

To qualify, degrees must be conferred by institutions accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This exemption applies only to certification areas that do not statutorily require an advanced degree. Positions such as Library Media Specialist, Principal, Reading Specialist, Math Specialist, School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Psychometrist, and Superintendent remain ineligible.

To confirm your degree’s eligibility, please visit the Advanced Degree Comparability Dashboard. If a degree appears on the list, CEQA has determined it to be substantially comparable to the relevant subject area exam. While the State Board of Education ultimately grants the exception, inclusion in the dashboard indicates that the degree meets the criteria established for exemption based on CEQA’s analysis. Degrees not yet listed may be submitted to CEQA for evaluation. For questions, suggestions, or to request a review of an unlisted degree, contact us at info@oeqa.ok.gov.