To teach in a public school, you generally need a bachelor’s degree, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes student teaching, passing scores on your state’s required exams and a state teaching license. People who already have a degree in another field can often qualify through an alternative route while teaching. Private schools set their own rules, but many prefer licensed teachers.
What teaching is like beyond the classroom
The visible part is teaching lessons. The rest includes:
- Planning lessons and materials, often in the evenings and on weekends, especially early on.
- Grading and giving feedback.
- Managing classroom behavior, which new teachers often find hardest.
- Communicating with parents and attending meetings, including planning meetings for students with learning plans.
- Hall, lunch or bus duties and adapting to whatever the day throws at you.
Elementary teachers usually cover several subjects with one class all day. Middle and high school teachers focus on one or two subjects and see several groups of students. Special education, English language learners and career and technical education are distinct specialties with their own licenses.
Education routes into teaching
- Education degree: a bachelor’s in elementary, secondary or special education with built-in teacher preparation and student teaching.
- Subject degree plus preparation: major in math, biology, history or English and complete a teacher preparation sequence alongside it or afterward.
- Master’s route: some people earn a teaching master’s after a bachelor’s in another field, which includes licensure coursework.
- Alternative routes: many states let degree holders start teaching on a provisional or intern license while completing preparation, often in subjects where schools struggle to hire.
- Community college start: general education credits and introductory education courses, then transfer. See community college vs university.
Licensing in plain terms
Each state sets its own requirements for a teaching license or credential. Most require a bachelor’s degree, an approved preparation program, supervised student teaching, fingerprinting and passing exams. Many states use a national testing series, while others have their own basic skills and subject-area tests. Licenses are typically tied to grade levels and subjects. Moving between states usually requires extra steps, so check your state’s department of education or teacher licensing office before choosing a program.
A step-by-step path from high school
- Work with kids now: tutoring, camp counseling, coaching a youth team or helping in a classroom.
- Notice which age you enjoy most. Teaching first graders and teaching high school juniors are very different jobs.
- Pick a college major based on that age group and subject. Our guide on choosing a major helps.
- Enroll in your college’s teacher preparation program, which often requires applying separately during sophomore or junior year.
- Complete student teaching, usually a full semester in a real classroom with a mentor teacher.
- Pass your state’s exams and apply for your license.
- Apply to districts in spring, when many schools do most of their hiring.
Spend time in a classroom first
- Work as a teacher’s aide or paraprofessional; many districts hire without a teaching license.
- Substitute teach. Requirements vary by state, but it is the most honest preview of classroom management.
- Spend a full day shadowing a teacher, including planning time and after-school meetings.
- Hold informational interviews with a first-year teacher and a veteran about what surprised them.
Who stays in teaching, and why others leave
Teachers who stay tend to be patient, organized, comfortable being in charge of a room and genuinely interested in both the subject and the age group. Common reasons people leave are workload that spills into evenings, behavior challenges, pay in some regions and limited control over curriculum. Many stay in education by moving into counseling, administration, curriculum design, instructional coaching or corporate training. Salary schedules are set by districts; for national pay and outlook data, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Teaching as a career change
Career changers bring real-world credibility, especially in math, science and technical subjects. Look into your state’s alternative routes, and if you have industry experience in a skilled trade, healthcare or business, ask about career and technical education licenses, where work experience can count toward requirements in many states. Plan for a demanding first year with a steep learning curve. Our guides on career change and finding a career you love help you think it through.
Where a mentor helps
Becoming a teacher involves many separate checkpoints, from prep program applications to exam dates and license paperwork, and student teaching is one of the most demanding semesters of college. A mentor helps students keep those pieces organized, think through which age and subject fit, and stay steady through student teaching and the first job search. Mentors are not career counselors with credentials, admissions counselors or licensing experts. See career and education mentoring and mentoring for college students.
Related
- Careers for people who like helping
- How to become a social worker
- Helping a teen choose a career
- All career path guides
- What can you do with an Education degree?
- First Year Teacher Tips: Getting Through Year One
Common questions
Do you need a teaching degree to become a teacher?
Not necessarily. You need a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved preparation program, which can come through an education major, a subject major plus preparation, a master’s route or an alternative route.
How long does it take to become a teacher?
Through a traditional route, about four years including student teaching. Alternative routes can let degree holders start teaching sooner while finishing requirements.
Can I teach in a different state from where I got licensed?
Often yes, but you usually need to apply for that state’s license and may need extra exams or coursework. Check the new state’s licensing office.
Can I become a teacher without student teaching?
Some alternative routes replace traditional student teaching with supervised teaching on a provisional license. Rules vary by state.
Get started
Thinking about teaching and want help planning the steps? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.