Do you have a favorite teacher from your childhood? The one who inspired you to love art, music, or even to play kickball? Teachers impact students’ lives beyond the test outcomes and curriculum.
They are also responsible for guiding students toward success and confidence in life. For most teachers, seeing their students rise the ladder and achieve their full potential is the most fulfilling feeling about their careers.
To become a teacher, you must possess natural attributes such as patience, creativity and a passion to nurture students to be the best version of themselves.
You must also qualify academically with a bachelor’s degree and complete your state’s student-teacher program and other teacher requirements.
In this guide, we’ll look at the teaching degree requirements you need to become a teacher. Though the requirements vary in different states, this guide explores the courses and work environments the degree programs focus on.
Reasons to Become a Teacher
Teaching is far more than just a way to earn a living—it’s a calling that offers profound personal and professional rewards.
Here are some interesting reasons to consider a career in education.
- A desire to make a positive impact on young people: Teaching allows you to shape the minds of students and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
- A passion for a specific subject: If you have a deep understanding and passion for a specific subject, you’ll find satisfaction in sharing your knowledge with others. For instance, if you’re really good at music, you can become a music teacher or a PE teacher if you’re a fitness enthusiast.
- Long, fulfilling, and stable career: Teaching offers job security and endless room for advancement. The education sector is consistently in demand, and there are various opportunities for professional growth, such as becoming a department head, curriculum specialist, or school administrator.
- Many career options: Once you’ve become a teacher, you get a wide option of careers and levels, for instance, in early childhood, elementary, or even high school, where you can focus on your subjects of preference.
- Flexibility: Teachers get their summers off coupled with long spring and winter breaks that allow them to have a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Required Teaching Skills
Beyond subject expertise, you need specific skills to create an engaging learning environment and handle any classroom challenges.
Let’s look at some of the required teaching skills and how to apply them in a classroom setting.
Communication
Communication is your ability to relay information clearly, listen actively, and engage effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.
Good communication skills help you instruct and convey information to your students in a manner that’s appropriate and easy to understand. It helps create a positive learning environment that improves student engagement and participation.
Communication will also help you build trust with your students and relate well with fellow teachers. With excellent communication, you’ll quickly build a good relationship with parents, benefitting the student.
Leadership
Leadership is your ability to guide, inspire, and motivate students while creating a positive and productive learning environment.
Effective teacher-leaders set clear expectations, model desired behaviors, and empower students to take ownership of their learning.
This skill involves making decisions that benefit the class as a whole, managing diverse personalities and learning styles, and fostering a sense of community within the classroom.
Leadership in teaching also extends beyond the classroom, as educators often collaborate with colleagues, contribute to school-wide initiatives, and serve as mentors to newer teachers.
By demonstrating strong leadership, you can significantly influence student engagement, academic performance, and personal growth while also contributing to your school’s overall success and culture.
Adaptability
As a teacher, adaptability is your ability to flexibly adjust your teaching methods, materials, and strategies as circumstances change.
Every classroom presents unique challenges and opportunities that require quick thinking and innovative solutions.
By being adaptable, you’re able to handle unexpected situations like a sudden change in curriculum, new technology or even individual student learning difficulties. Adaptability allows you to stay relevant, embrace new teaching methodologies and prepare students for change.
Ultimately, this skill enables you to create a more inclusive, responsive, and effective learning environment that can meet the diverse and evolving needs of your students.
Teamwork
Teamwork is your teacher’s ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, parents, and administrators to create a supportive learning environment.
This skill involves open communication, shared decision-making, and mutual respect. Effective teamwork in education also extends to co-teaching situations, where multiple educators work harmoniously to deliver instruction and support diverse learner needs.
By encouraging solid partnerships, you can create a cohesive school community, share expertise, and develop comprehensive support systems for students.
Teamwork is essential for implementing innovative teaching strategies, addressing student challenges collectively, and promoting a positive school culture for everyone.
Conflict resolution
Conflict resolution is a teacher’s ability to manage and resolve disagreements or disputes among students in a constructive manner. It involves active listening, empathy, and effective communication skills.
This skill involves identifying the root causes of conflicts, facilitating communication between parties, and guiding students toward mutually agreeable solutions.
With conflict resolution skills, you create a more harmonious and productive classroom and reduce disruptions while helping your students maintain positive relationships.
By modeling effective conflict resolution techniques, you help students develop crucial social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Additionally, effective conflict resolution can prevent minor disagreements from escalating into larger problems, allowing for uninterrupted learning and growth.
Patience
Patience is a teacher’s ability to remain calm, understanding, and composed, especially when faced with challenges or setbacks in the classroom.
Even though teaching can be a rewarding career, it can also present some challenges. For instance, students come with different abilities and personalities, and you’re expected to meet their learning needs equally.
Some may be indisciplined or uncooperative, and you’re still expected to instruct them positively and calmly to maintain a positive learning environment for everyone.
To be a great teacher, you must be patient and remain calm even when frustrated. Patience helps you become more understanding and empathetic when handling your students— motivating them to improve.
Organization
Organization is a teacher’s ability to manage classroom resources, time, and materials efficiently.
Teaching involves juggling different responsibilities, and good organizational skills help you keep track of it all. This will help you in successfully achieving your crucial responsibilities.
For example, good organizational skills will help keep your classroom environment clean and neatly arranged. This is aesthetically pleasing and helps students feel more comfortable and less anxious.
Good organization will also help you keep accurate student records which are essential in evaluating their progress.
Planning
Planning is the cornerstone of successful teaching. It involves meticulously outlining learning objectives, selecting appropriate teaching strategies, and putting in place the instructional materials.
Planning skills are crucial to performing your teaching duties effectively. First, you must create lesson plans in a manner that helps improve students’ academic abilities without overwhelming them.
Being a good planner will also help you prepare tests and outdoor activities, and schedule calls with parents efficiently.
Strong planning skills help portray you professionally and help build respect among students, parents, and colleagues.
Confidence
Confidence involves believing in your ability to manage a classroom effectively, deliver engaging lessons, and inspire student learning.
Confidence helps you command their attention and sets you as a leader in front of your students. How else will you stand in front of students and engage and instruct them?
Being confident helps you set ground rules for the expected classroom behavior with ease. You’ll also be able to handle any unexpected situation calmly without losing your composure.
Teaching Degree Options
To become a teacher, you can take different educational pathways. These include Associate’s degrees in education, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s programs, and even Doctoral studies.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a career change, there’s a teaching degree option to match your needs.
Let’s look at teaching degree requirement options in detail:
Associate’s Degree in Education
The Associate’s degree in education is a two-year undergraduate degree program that provides aspiring teachers with a solid knowledge base of the field of education.
It’s designed for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching or related fields but don’t want to commit to a four-year program.
The curriculum for an associate degree in education includes courses in:
- The practice of teaching(pedagogy): Includes how to explain and demonstrate concepts.
- Child development and psychology: Helps you understand the development of children and teens.
- Special education: Includes some coursework on the basics of special education.
Depending on the college, the program consists of a supervised teaching experience in a classroom setting.
Graduates of this program may work as teachers in early childhood education, special education, or vocational education or become teachers’ aides. Students can also transfer their credits to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.
An associate’s degree in education is not enough for you to become a licensed teacher since a Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement. But, you can use this as a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.
Bachelor’s Degree in Education
A bachelor’s degree in education is the minimum requirement for licensure to teach in public schools.
The four-year undergraduate program provides students with a deep understanding of the education field.
The bachelor’s degree in education is designed for students who wish to pursue a career as a licensed teacher or in education-related careers such as education administration, curriculum development, or educational technology.
In the curriculum, students go through the following courses:
- Pedagogy
- Assessment
- Social justice
- Lesson planning
- Special education
- Educational psychology
- Curriculum development
- Instructional technology
- Educational policy and leadership
In most universities, the program also requires students to complete a student-teaching experience, which provides hands-on experience in a classroom setting.
A Bachelor’s degree in education can open many doors for you. For instance, you can begin a career as a licensed teacher in elementary, middle, or high school. You can also pursue other opportunities in curriculum development, education administration, instructional coaching, educational technology, and education policymaking.
Note: Although a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for being a licensed teacher, many states have specific requirements before you become a licensed teacher. For example, passing a teacher certification exam. It’s important you check with your state board of education for such requirements.
Master’s Degree in Education
A master’s degree in education is a graduate-level degree that focuses on the theory and practice of teaching. It takes approximately two years to complete. Many online master’s degree programs offer flexibility to professional teachers who want to advance their education.
The degree prepares you for higher pay and promotions in roles like teaching, school administration, curriculum development, and instructional design.
The specific coursework for a master’s degree in education varies depending on the program and the student’s area of focus.
Here are some common courses that may be included in a master’s degree in education:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Educational psychology
- Educational research methods
- Educational technology
- Assessment and evaluation
- Diversity and inclusion in education
- Leadership in education
- Special education
- Early childhood education
- Higher education administration
Besides setting you up for better pay, a master’s degree in education can bring opportunities such as eligibility for leadership roles within your school district and the ability to teach at the community college or university level.
Doctoral Degrees in Education
A Doctoral degree in education, also known as a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.), is a postgraduate degree considered the highest degree in education.
The main focus of the doctoral degree in education is to produce education researchers and scholars who can contribute to the advancement of the field of education through their research, publications, and teaching.
This degree requires rigorous coursework, comprehensive exams, and the completion of a dissertation and takes 4–6 years to complete.
The curriculum of a doctoral degree in education includes courses such as:
- Research methods and statistical analysis
- Dissertation research and writing
- Seminar in the chosen area of specialization
- Advanced studies in educational theory, policy, and practice
If you want to pursue a doctoral degree in education, you can specialize in areas such as:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Educational psychology
- Educational leadership
- Higher education administration
- Special education
- Early childhood education
- Educational technology
- Policy analysis and evaluation
- Bilingual and multicultural education
Once you graduate with a doctoral degree in education, you can pursue a career in academia, research, policy-making, and leadership roles in education.
Degrees in Teaching Specialties
Teaching is a diverse field with numerous areas of specialization. While some educators opt for a generalist degree, others prefer to focus on a particular subject or student population.
Let’s explore some of these specialized teaching degrees.
English as a Second Language
The English as a second language (ESL) teaching degree prepares you to teach English to non-native speakers. It may be offered at the undergraduate or graduate level.
The program includes coursework in language acquisition, teaching methods, and cultural studies. After graduating with your English as a Second Language teaching degree, you can teach in public or private schools, universities, language schools, or become a private tutor.
In some ESL programs, students may be required to complete certain student teaching hours where they gain hands-on experience by teaching students in a classroom.
Special Education
The special education teaching degree focuses on preparing aspiring educators to teach students with special needs such as mental, physical, or learning disabilities.
The program aims to equip you with the knowledge to help students with special needs get the same educational opportunities as non-disabled ones.
When you pursue this program, you’ll cover areas such as:
- Special education laws and policies
- Teaching methods and strategies
- Assessment and evaluation of students with special needs.
The degree program may also include fieldwork, student teaching, and practicums in some universities. This helps you gain real-life experience by teaching in special education classrooms.
Early Childhood Education
The early childhood education degree program focuses on preparing educators to teach young children up to age 8.
When taking this program, you will cover courses like child development, teaching methods and strategies, and assessment and evaluation of young children. Graduates with an early childhood education degree can work in preschools and kindergartens.
Elementary Education
The elementary education degree program prepares individuals to teach children up to grade 6. In the program, you cover coursework in child development, teaching methods, curriculum design, and assessment.
After you graduate, you’re equipped with skills to create learning experiences that support children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
Secondary Education
A Secondary Education Teaching degree program equips you to become an effective educator for middle and high school students. The program combines in-depth subject matter knowledge with education-focused coursework.
The core components of the program include:
- Subject matter specialization: Students typically choose a specific subject area to teach, such as English, Mathematics, Science, History, or Foreign Languages.
- Educational foundations: This part of the program covers education theory, including child development, learning theories, educational psychology, and curriculum development.
- Teaching methods and pedagogy: Students learn about effective teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, assessment methods, and instructional technology.
- Field experience and student Teaching: You engage in classroom observations and teaching internships under the guidance of experienced educators.
Upon graduation, you’ll possess a strong understanding of your subject, effective teaching strategies, and the ability to create engaging learning environments. You’ll be equipped to assess student learning, develop appropriate curriculum, and collaborate with colleagues.
Curriculum Design
A Curriculum Design education degree program focuses on equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate effective learning experiences.
Curriculum Design programs typically cover the following key areas:
- Curriculum theory: Exploring different philosophies and approaches to curriculum development, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and humanism.
- Curriculum development: Learning the processes involved in designing curricula, including needs analysis, goal setting, content selection, instructional strategies, and assessment methods.
- Instructional design: Focusing on creating effective learning experiences, utilizing various instructional technologies and media, and developing instructional materials.
- Assessment: Studying different assessment methods, developing assessment tools, and analyzing assessment data to inform curriculum improvement.
- Curriculum evaluation: Learning how to evaluate the effectiveness of curricula, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
This program equips you with skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and research. They learn to design engaging lessons, assess student learning, and lead curriculum initiatives.
With a degree in Curriculum Design, you can pursue careers in curriculum development, instructional design, educational consulting, and other related fields.
Instructional Design
An Instructional Design degree program focuses on creating effective and engaging learning experiences. It involves the systematic process of analyzing learning needs, developing instructional materials, implementing learning activities, and evaluating the outcomes.
You learn to systematically create and deliver educational materials. Your work involves understanding how people learn, identifying learning goals, and then developing instructional strategies and materials to achieve those goals.
With skills in problem-solving, communication, project management, and technology, instructional designers are in high demand across various industries. They can work in education, corporate training, and other settings to develop engaging and effective learning experiences.
Alternative Options for Teachers
Don’t have a teaching degree? You can still be able to teach.
Many people assume that a traditional education degree is the only path to a teaching career. However, there are alternative routes for those with diverse backgrounds. For instance, if your passion lies in music and you hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you might qualify for a teacher preparation program that could lead to a teaching position in both public and private schools.
Additionally, if you’ve gained teaching experience abroad, you could potentially transfer those credentials to a teaching position within the United States. Keep in mind that each state has its specific requirements, which typically involve background checks and proof of foreign teaching experience.
Remember, exploring these alternative paths requires careful research into your state’s specific education guidelines.
Certification Options for Teachers
Teacher certification programs are rigorous pathways designed to equip aspiring educators with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the classroom.
The specific requirements vary based on the state and the subject matter you intend to teach. Generally, certification processes can span from 100 hours to several years.
You can also use online certification programs which offer flexibility and convenience for anyone seeking to enter the teaching profession.
Here are the benefits of online certification:
- Flexibility: Learn at your own pace and accommodate work or family commitments.
- Accessibility: You can access a broader pool of potential educators, including those in remote areas.
- Variety of programs: Options range from short-term add-on credentials to full teacher preparation programs.
- Cost-effective: Potentially lower tuition compared to traditional programs.
While online certification provides numerous advantages, it’s crucial to ensure the program is accredited and meets the specific requirements of the state where you plan to teach.
Common Teaching Exams
The following are the common teaching certifications that can help you become a successful teacher in your field.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
The TEFL program equips non-native English speakers with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English to those for whom it is a foreign language. Typically completed within 100 to 120 hours including practical teaching experience, and are accredited by reputable organizations.
A TEFL certification is highly valued by schools and language institutes worldwide.
It covers essential areas such as language acquisition theories, grammar, vocabulary, teaching methodologies, classroom management, and lesson planning. While not always a strict requirement, holding a TEFL certification can significantly enhance your job prospects as an English teacher, especially in international settings.
Education Certificate K–12
An Education Certificate K-12 is designed to enhance the professional development of licensed teachers by providing in-depth knowledge of curriculum development, instructional strategies, technology integration, and assessment practices.
This certification is ideal for teachers seeking to advance their careers, take on leadership roles, or specialize in specific areas within the K-12 spectrum.
It often involves coursework, practical experience, and potentially a culminating project or exam. With an Education Certificate K-12 you increase your earning potential, expand your career opportunities, and get a deeper understanding of effective teaching and learning.
Praxis
The Praxis test is a standardized examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to assess an individual’s readiness for a teaching career.
The test is required for teacher certification in over 40 states, covering essential areas such as pedagogy and specific subject knowledge.
The Praxis consists of three main types:
- The Praxis Core– Assesses basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments– Evaluates knowledge in specific subjects
- The Content Knowledge for Teaching assessments– Designed for elementary educators.
The specific Praxis exams required vary by state and teaching level, so it’s crucial to research your target state’s certification requirements before registering for the test.
To pass your Praxis tests, you need to prepare adequately, by studying relevant content and practicing test-taking strategies.
National Board Certification
National Board Certification (NBC) is the highest honor a teacher can achieve in the United States. This prestigious certification recognizes and rewards exceptional educators who demonstrate a deep commitment to their profession and a mastery of their subject matter.
While not mandatory for teaching, NBC often leads to increased salary, professional advancement opportunities, and greater autonomy in the classroom.
The certification process involves a rigorous portfolio assessment that evaluates a teacher’s classroom practice, student learning outcomes, and professional reflection. Earning NBC is a significant accomplishment that distinguishes teachers as leaders in their field.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher?
Becoming a licensed teacher typically requires a commitment of 4 to 5 years, which includes earning a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, along with completing a teacher education program.
The exact timeline can vary based on state-specific requirements, which may necessitate additional certifications that can take anywhere from a few months to a year to obtain.
If you’re transitioning from another career into teaching, the timeline can range from 1 to 4 years, depending on prior education and experience.
The specific degree requirements are determined by the school or state, often influenced by factors like teacher demand and national education standards.
Continuing Education
As a teacher, you should always aim for continuous professional development to help you stay current with the latest teaching methods, technologies, and educational research.
You can take continuing education programs with other faculty from your school or district during the summer.
By continually improving your skills and knowledge, you can meet the needs of your students better and provide your students with a high-quality education.
Continuous education can also lead to better job satisfaction and motivation and help you become more effective in your roles.
Common professional development courses for teachers include:
- Student Mental Health: Courses in this area focus on understanding the mental health challenges students may face and how teachers can support their well-being.
- SEL Courses: Programs that teach social-emotional learning skills, such as empathy, self-awareness, and problem-solving, to help students develop healthy relationships and manage their emotions.
- Online Instructional Engagement: Courses that explore strategies for keeping students engaged and motivated in online learning environments, including interactive activities, virtual field trips, and collaborative projects.
- Online Assessment: With the rise of online learning, courses in online instructional engagement focus on strategies to keep students actively involved in virtual classrooms.
- Education Technology Accessibility: Courses in this area address the importance of making technology accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, and explore tools and strategies to promote inclusivity.
- Game-Based Learning: Programs that explore the use of games and simulations in education to enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.
- Equity and Inclusion: These courses focus on creating equitable and inclusive classrooms, addressing issues of bias, discrimination, and cultural sensitivity.
Salary Expectations
According to Salary.com, the average public school teacher in the United States earns $58,474 but the range typically falls between $48,818 and $71,333.
Entry-level teachers in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $42,166, with a range of $35,215 to $51,421.
However, this figure can vary depending on factors like the state, certifications, skills, and years of experience. Additional certifications and specialized skills can lead to higher salaries, while teaching in states with higher teacher pay scales can also boost earnings.
Job Outlook
Based on projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of high school teachers is expected to grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031.
The employment of kindergarten and elementary teachers is expected to grow by 4 % during the same period.
This change means there will be more openings for teaching jobs caused by the need to replace retiring teachers and have smaller class sizes.
Take the First Step to Become a Successful Teacher
As said, there are many options for degrees and specialties for aspiring teachers. If you work towards meeting all the requirements, you, too, can become a successful teacher.
You can start by evaluating your passions and weighing your options before deciding which degree to pursue.
If you want to impact young minds and have a long career while at it, take the step now and start the process today.
