A teaching career allows you to make a difference in the lives of the younger generation while enjoying variety in a rewarding occupation. If you enjoy working with children, you can experience this satisfaction just a few years after college.
Learning how long it takes to be a teacher may be the first step toward deciding if this job suits you. The time you take to become certified depends type of Bachelor’s degree you pursue and the level you intend to teach.
To teach in public schools, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree. After your degree, you need to pass your state’s teacher certification examinations and complete several teaching practice hours.
Although the typical journey to becoming a teacher takes four to five years, several ways exist to accelerate this process.
In this article, we’ll highlight how long you can take to become a teacher, the job outlook, and the benefits of this career.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher?
It typically takes an individual four to five years to become a teacher. This is primarily because a bachelor’s degree is required to teach at any grade, whether you want to teach at preschool, kindergarten, high school, or even at the college level.
Additionally, if you are interested in obtaining a master’s degree prior to becoming a teacher, it can take an additional two years of education.
However, the time you take will depend on your course of study, the subjects you want to teach, and the state you want to teach in.
You can also become a teacher if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree in education but have a degree in another field through the alternative certification programs.
Alternative certification programs are designed to help individuals transition into teaching from other fields. Depending on your background and the program you choose, this transition can take anywhere from one to four years.
These programs provide the pedagogical training needed to succeed in the classroom. In some cases, you could become a teacher in less than a year by leveraging your existing bachelor’s degree and enrolling in an alternative teaching certification course.
Traditional Pathway to Becoming a Teacher
The traditional pathway to becoming a teacher involves getting a bachelor’s degree in education. This pathway will take around four years to complete and is appropriate if you have already decided to become a teacher from the onset of your undergraduate education.
Most universities offer educational undergraduate programs focusing on pedagogy, classroom management, curriculum development, and educational psychology.
You also complete a student-teaching internship to acquire hands-on experience in a real classroom under the supervision of a lead educator.
The alternative pathway is appropriate if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field other than education and want to transition into a teaching career.
Whichever route you take to becoming a teacher, here are common steps that you have to take:
- Enroll in a bachelor’s degree program: To teach at any level or subject, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Enroll in a degree program closely suited to the level you want to teach. For instance, if you want to teach at the elementary level, you can get a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. At the same time, a degree in early childhood education is more suitable for preschool. Also, if you enroll in any other degree program, you can transition later by taking an alternative teacher certification program.
- Participate in student teaching: You must have classroom experience to qualify for a teaching certification. Most school districts require you to complete several student teaching hours under the supervision of a more experienced teacher. Most degree programs incorporate the student teaching component within their award requirements.
- Take the teacher certification test: To demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to become a teacher, you must take the teacher certification test for the specific state you want to teach in. For instance, if you want to teach in Texas, you’ll be required to pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) while to teach in Florida, you’ll take the FTCE.
- Obtain a license: To be allowed to teach in public, you must have a valid teaching license. Certification regulations vary from state to state, so it’s important to check your state’s requirements. The requirements will include completing a teaching program and a minimum number of supervised teaching hours. You must also pass the certification test in that state to be licensed.
- Apply for teaching positions: Once certified, you can now apply for teaching positions at public schools. Such teaching positions are often listed on school district job websites, education job boards, and other job platforms. Ensure you prepare well for the interview and update your CV to increase your hiring chances.
Timeline for Different Teaching Roles
When deciding on the teaching role and the degree program you want to undertake, consider how many years you want to be in school. Different teaching roles require different qualifications and, hence, different study timelines before certification.
However, since a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most roles, the earliest you can be a classroom teacher is four years. It is essential to do some research into the different levels of teaching. Look for classes and subjects that interest you before deciding on the grade level you want to teach.
Here are different teaching roles and their study timelines:
| Role | equirements and Responsibilities | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teacher | - A bachelor's degree in early childhood education. - The program focuses on child development and curriculum creation for young learners, especially in reading, math, and language arts for preschool to kindergarten through grade three. | Minimum of 4 years |
| Substitute Teacher | - Involves working with various age groups from elementary to high school, following the regular teacher's lesson plans. - Requires a high school diploma or GED, and in most states, a bachelor's degree or college credits, along with a valid teaching certificate. | Up to 4 years |
| Special Education Teacher | - Helps children with special needs learn skills taught to their peers. - Requires a bachelor's degree in special education or a two-year bachelor's degree in education (special education) after completing a bachelor's degree in another discipline. | 4-5 years of study |
| College Professor | - Provides high-level education in colleges and universities. Requires a bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, practical experience, and a doctoral program. - Requires maintaining a strong academic record through publishing and lecturing. | 6-8 years |
Alternative Route to Becoming a Teacher
If you’re looking to transition into teaching from another career, the alternative route can be preferable to the traditional teacher education programs. Alternative teacher preparation programs typically vary in length from 1 to 2 years, depending on the specific program and your prior experience.
The time commitment for completing an alternative certification program can differ based on the program structure and area of specialization. For instance, if you want to specialize in special education, you may need to take extra courses, which can prolong the certification timeline.
These programs are essential in addressing teacher shortages across the states by ensuring a seamless transition into teaching.
Alternative teacher certification programs focus on pedagogical training, education-specific coursework, and classroom management while preparing you to obtain certification faster than pursuing a full education degree.
Teaching Degrees and Requirements
There are many teaching degrees and requirements to think about when you are considering becoming a teacher. As we’ve seen, you need a bachelor’s degree to teach at any level.
You then need tospecialize in areas such as special education, secondary education, middle-level, education, and early childhood education. The level you choose to teach will determine the requirements necessary.
Most states require you to pass the state certification exams, mostly like Praxis, before being certified to teach. If you’re specializing to teach at the secondary level, you also need to select a specific field or subject.
Although it takes longer to become a teacher with a master’s degree, the level attracts a better salary. For example, if you have a master’s degree as an elementary school teacher, your salary range will be $62,007- $130,622 compared to $54,311 to $105,224 when you only have a bachelor’s degree receives.
Here’s a comparison of the mean annual salaries for different kinds of teachers below.
| Teacher Description | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|
| Preschool teacher | $37,130 |
| Elementary teacher | $63, 670 |
| Middle School teacher | $64,290 |
| High School teacher | $65,220 |
| Special Education teacher | $65,910 |
| CollegeTutor | $84,380 |
Job Outlook for Teachers
The demand for teachers is expected to remain strong in the coming years, with many states planning to continue hiring across various levels of education. The job market for elementary, middle, high school, and special education teachers is projected to grow steadily.
There is particularly high demand for educators in specialized fields such as science, mathematics, elementary education, English as a second language, and special education. The shortage of qualified teachers in these areas has led school districts to prioritize hiring more educators to meet the diverse needs of their students
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) predicts the following employment growth in specific areas of teaching:
- Preschool: The employment rate is expected to grow by 3% through. During this period, 56,300 new preschool teacher job opportunities are expected to become available every period.
- Kindergarten and Elementary school: BLS predicts that the employment rates for kindergarten and elementary will grow by 1% through 2032.
- Middle school: The employment rate is expected to grow by 1% through 2023, and 42,200 openings will become available annually.
- High school: BLS predicts the employment rate for high school teachers will increase by 1% through 2032 and predicts that 67,100 openings will be available every year within the period. High school teachers in specialized, high-demand subjects such as science, English as a second language, mathematics, and special education have better prospects.
- Special education: The employment rates for this category are expected to remain unchanged through 2032. Over the period, 33,500 openings are also expected across all grade levels annually.
Reasons to Become a Teacher
Becoming a teacher provides a real sense of accomplishment as your students grow to realize their dreams and become valued members of society. It can be a gratifying career that involves making a tangible difference in shaping the lives of young people and mentoring them to become the best they can be.
Here are some reasons why you should consider a career in teaching:
- Ability to make a difference: Besides parents, teachers have arguably the most significant influence in a child’s life. The job’s personal aspect will always send you home with a sense of pride as you see the transformation in your students.
- Job security: Teaching will always be an in-demand skill, whether in a virtual or physical classroom. The continued teacher shortage also means your position in the teaching fraternity is highly valued, hence the job security.
- Fun career: No day will be the same in your daily activities as an educator. The constant interaction with new students and navigating different classrooms will ensure a fun and dynamic work environment.
- Desirable schedule: You will have the same breaks as your students in the better part of the school year. You will work during the week and enjoy long, paid summer breaks and additional paid time off in the winter and spring, securing you the most envied time with your family.
How Fast Can You Start Teaching?
With alterative teacher certification, you can start teaching in one to two years. This is if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Generally, to become a teacher, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. You can, therefore, anticipate spending at least four years in schooling and working towards your teacher certification.
If your Bachelor’s degree is in a field other than education, you may need to add about a year or two to complete your licensing requirements. If a master’s degree is required in your state of interest, add another two years to begin working as a teacher.
However, here are some tips that could help you start your teaching journey within the shortest time possible:
- Pass your exams on the first try: Passing your state certification tests on the first try saves you time and money. Adequate preparation with practice tests similar to the actual test will help you hack the Praxis and subject-area tests on the first attempt. Check out these specific-state certification tests to help you prepare adequately.
- Meet all the requirements: Understand all the requirements for certification in your state, their processing timelines, and ways of realizing them. This will help you actualize them in the shortest time possible. Do more research on the pathway you are on and the specific requirements as per your state.
- Prepare well for your interview: Adequate preparation can help you stand out to your prospective employer, helping you start teaching before your fellow competitors. Researching the common teacher interview questions and ways of answering them can be the magic you need to find your way into this exciting career as soon as possible.
Teachers will always be needed due to their incredible impact on the young and society. Therefore, it is a profession that is likely always in demand. With state reciprocity, your skills will always be needed across the states, and you can also teach overseas.
If teaching feels like the career direction you would like to take, check out different certification options and kickstart your teaching journey today!
