What Do You Have to Major in to Become a Teacher?
Teachers educate children and adults at various stages of life. They can teach different subjects at the preschool, elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels. Aspiring teachers can choose a major based on the level and subject they wish to teach.
What Aspiring Teachers Can Major In
A bachelor's degree is the minimum level of education required to earn a teacher's license, which is necessary to teach at public schools. The State Board of Education usually grants teacher licensure, and students should check their state's requirements before deciding on a major. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in different areas of education. Depending on the age and subject they wish to teach, students can choose from an array of options.
A component that all education curriculums include is student teaching, which usually occurs during senior year. This experiential-learning unit places student teachers in real classrooms with active students. Student teachers gain hands-on experience under the supervision of certified teachers. Some states require teachers to complete student teaching to qualify for licensure.
Early Childhood Education
A major in early childhood education suits students intending to teach pre-kindergarten to third grade. This major teaches them to serve as a role model as well as an educator, since such teachers often play a vital role in the early development of children.
Elementary Education
Individuals interested in teaching at the elementary level, which typically includes kindergarten through eighth grade, can major in elementary education. At this stage, education majors can specialize in a specific subject, including English, math, history or science.
Secondary Education
Aspiring teachers who want to work with older students specialize in secondary education, which can encompass between sixth and twelfth grade. They can also choose a specific liberal arts field to concentrate in, such as English literature, calculus, American history or physics.
Postsecondary Education
Students intent on teaching at the college or university level need to pursue a master's degree or doctorate in graduate school. As undergraduates, they can major in whichever subject they would like to teach.
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7 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (6 campuses)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Hawaii (2)
- Indiana (1)
- Missouri (3)
- New Mexico (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Tennessee (1)
- Utah (3)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (16 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- BA - Liberal Studies (Multiple Subj Teaching)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have an Bachelor's degree or higher.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- 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
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School locations:
- Michigan (3 campuses)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- 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
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- 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
