How to Become a Teacher with a Bachelor's Degree

Students generally have two options for becoming a teacher with a bachelor's degree: enroll in a teacher education program that is part of their bachelor's degree or enroll in an alternative teaching certification program. Alternative programs are for students who already hold a bachelor's degree but have not completed a teacher education program.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher with a Bachelor's Degree

Step 1: Get a High School Diploma or GED

Most colleges and universities require students to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to being admitted. However, all teacher education programs require applicants to hold a high school diploma or GED.

Step 2: Decide What Type of Teacher You Want to Be

Many types of teachers exist, including elementary, middle, high school and special education teachers. Teachers also work in various settings, including public, private and religious schools as well as in the home. Before enrolling in a program, students should decide where and what they wish to teach and let the answers direct their postsecondary studies.

Step 3: Enroll in a Teacher Education Program

A student may enroll in a bachelor's program that leads to teacher licensure. The programs are generally 4-5 years long. Teachers at the elementary level tend to teach all subjects. Teachers at the secondary level typically major in one or two subject, which they will ultimately teach. Students begin their teacher training in the last or fifth year of their bachelor's program.

Students take courses in teaching strategies, digital learning, American education's social foundations, educational psychology, secondary education principles and society's and schools' multicultural foundations. They are also required to complete a student-teaching internship prior to seeking licensure.

Step 4: Enroll in an Alternative Certification or Licensing Program

Students who have already completed their undergraduate studies but have not completed a teacher education program can take advantage of alternative certification programs. These programs allow students with a bachelor's degree and career experience to earn a teaching license in a non-traditional way. Individuals earning an alternative teaching certification usually teach in the subject area in which they earned their degree.

Students enrolled in an alternative program generally start teaching under supervision while taking education courses. A student may obtain licensure in 1-2 years. This type of program is geared toward science and math teachers and individuals who are willing to teach in rural or urban schools.

Step 5: Obtain a License

All public school and special education teachers must be licensed in the United States, although licensure is generally not required for private school teachers. Public school and special education teachers are usually licensed by a state education board and are tested for competency in reading, writing and other basic skills.

Licensure areas for public school teachers include early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, specific subject areas and special subject areas. Licensure areas for special education teachers may include behavioral disorders and learning disabilities.

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6 Popular Schools

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  • Iowa State University

    School locations:
    • Iowa (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Education
      • Counseling and Guidance
      • Curriculum and Instruction
      • Educational Administration and Supervision
      • Educational Evaluation and Research
      • ESL Teaching
      • Philosophical Foundations of Education
      • Special Education
      • Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
      • Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
        • Agricultural Education for Teachers
        • Health Teacher Education
        • Home Economics Teacher Education
        • Industrial Arts Teacher Education
        • Mathematics Teacher Education
        • Music Teacher Education
        • Science Teacher Education
    » Research Iowa State University's Programs

  • University of Michigan

    School locations:
    • Michigan (3 campuses)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Education
      • Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
      • Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
        • Art Teacher Education
        • Biology Education for Teachers
        • English Teacher Education
        • History Teacher Education
        • Mathematics Teacher Education
        • Music Teacher Education
        • Psychology Teacher Education
        • Social Studies Teacher Education
        • Speech Teacher Education
    » View University of Michigan's Locations and Degree Programs

  • University of South Florida

    School locations:
    • Florida (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Education
      • Counseling and Guidance
      • Curriculum and Instruction
      • Educational Administration and Supervision
      • ESL Teaching
      • Library Science and Related Professions
      • Special Education
      • Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
      • Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
        • Business Teacher Education
        • English Teacher Education
        • Foreign Language Education for Teachers
        • Mathematics Teacher Education
        • Music Teacher Education
        • Physical Education and Coaching
        • Science Teacher Education
        • Social Science Teacher Education
        • Teaching, Reading
        • Vocational Teacher Education
    » Research University of South Florida's Programs & Degrees

  • Grand Valley State University

    School locations:
    • Michigan (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Education
      • Counseling and Guidance
      • Special Education
      • Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
        • Physical Education and Coaching
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