Teacher Certification (Complete Guide)

Not necessarily! While you do need a bachelor's degree, you don't usually need a degree in education. In fact, for middle and high school subjects, you probably want a degree in your teaching subject, like science or history.

Here are three common scenarios:

• You have a degree in education. If you want to teach elementary school or a specialty like special education, an education degree can give you a strong foundation. You might also get a degree in something closely related, like child development.
• You have a degree in the subject you want to teach. For most secondary subjects, you'll likely have a degree or significant coursework in the subject you plan to teach. If you plan to teach elementary school, you might get a "liberal studies" degree — which just means you're taking classes in all the subjects elementary educators teach, like history, language arts and math. 
• You have a degree in one subject but want to teach something else. In this situation, you may need to take a few additional classes (also called post-baccalaureate coursework) before you start your teaching program. Check with programs that interest you to find out what they require.

The short answer is — not really. All public school teachers  have some sort of certificate or license. That said, if you get certified through an alternative certification program, you may be able to start teaching while you earn your certificate.

Check with your state education agency and local school districts to learn about your options!

A teaching degree is awarded by your college or university, whereas your teaching certificate is awarded by the state.

If a college offers a “teaching degree,” it means you'll take all the classes you need in your future teaching subject, along with coursework that prepares you to plan lessons and lead a class.

At the end of your program, you'll still need to apply to the state for your teaching certificate or license. You may also need permission from your degree program before you can apply for your certificate.

It depends!

If you're starting as an undergraduate, it can take four to five years (give or take) to complete your degree and certificate. Already have a bachelor's degree? A master's degree teaching program often takes one to two years.

Alternative or certificate-only teaching programs are usually the shortest route — often a year or less.

There are a lot of great teaching programs out there! To choose the right one for you, start with the basics. Narrow down your teaching program options to those that:

• Are approved by the state.
• Have a program for the specific grade and subject you plan to teach.
• Offer a program for your educational background (undergraduate, graduate or career changer).

Once you’ve narrowed the list, you can find programs that work for your specific needs and goals. Consider questions like:

• How long will it take to complete? And are the courses and other requirements offered at times that work with your schedule?
• Can you meet all of the requirements for applying to the program?
• Is it affordable? Or, does the program offer a teach-while-you-learn option?

Learn more about choosing a teaching program.

If you have a teaching credential in one state and want to teach in another, you may be able to transfer your certificate to your new state. This is called “reciprocity.”  

In some cases, when there is a reciprocity agreement between states, the process is relatively easy; in other cases, it can take longer. If you're planning a move from one state to another, research your new state's specific requirements for out-of-state certified teachers. Start by checking with your new state's education agency to see if you can fill out a simple application for a certificate. They will let you know if you need to complete additional requirements.