Becoming a Teacher

What kind of college degree do I need to become a teacher?

To teach beyond preschool, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. What you earn your degree in depends on your long-term goals. To teach in any U.S. public school, you'll need a teaching certification--which you'll earn through student teaching experience and an education degree (either a bachelor's or a master's). If you'd like to get into a public-school classroom as soon as possible, go for the bachelor's in education. Some states will also require teachers to earn a master's degree, but if you're in one of these states, you should be given a predetermined number of years (often around five) to finish it (after you start teaching). Private schools don't always require a teaching certification, but they most often require a bachelor's degree.

If you're more inclined to begin with an associate's degree, you can study early childhood education. With this degree, you'll be able to teach in daycares or preschools, or work as a teacher's assistant, teacher's aide, or para-educator in a primary or possibly secondary school classroom. This is a faster way to earn your degree and find work in the field, giving you time to decide if you'd like to commit to becoming a certified teacher.