Teacher Certification

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Consider an online teaching program currently accepting applicants for 2024.

School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
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Campbellsville University

All Levels Online Associates, Bachelor's, Master's Programs
Multiple (20+) online Associate, Bachelor, and Master of Education programs in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
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American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
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University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
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View online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

TeachingDegrees.com provides specific information about requirements from each state in order to become a certified teacher.

Most teaching fields require a series of Praxis exams that you will have to pass in order to obtain a certification. These exams cover teaching techniques, the latest methods used in the classroom, behavior management, and theories on development as well specific test that cover the subject matter that you plan to teach. A minimum score is set by the state in which you plan to teach.

Different states require different scores on exams in order to apply for licensure. Once you have obtained a teaching license in your practicing state, that certification and license can be easily transferred to another state if you ever move and need to transfer your license.

Teaching is a career that offers a lifelong fulfillment while working with children and helping them reach their full potential. In order to teach in a public school setting, teachers must be certified.

At TeachingDegrees.com, we research information from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation website on how to obtain your teaching certificate.

Teaching is one of the most influential and vital fields for growth within the United States. If you are one of the many incredible people that are considering a move into this field, you could come in contact with a large amount of students that are seeking knowledge in several different areas during their development.

Researching Teacher Certification

There are different stages of training that are required to become a professional in this field, some of which can vary depending on the state in which you live. TeachingDegrees.com is your leading source of information regarding teaching licensure and certification, partnering with you for helpful information about your future every step of the way.

Grades and Subjects
In order to become a teacher in the U.S., you may be required to engage in different steps that can educate you on your field, help certify you in different grade levels and subject areas, assist you in gaining practical experience, and test you on your knowledge in the field of teaching.

The grade level that you plan to teach may require specific certification in different subject areas (Science or Mathematics) or even certification pertaining to the type of students that you wish to work with (Special Education or Gifted Education). In addition to certification, licensure requirements may also have certain considerations for upcoming students that should be addressed prior to enrollment in any degree program.

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Consider an online teaching program currently accepting applicants for 2024.

School Level Program Admissions

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
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Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
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University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
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Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

View more 100% online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

Why You Should Pursue a Teaching Certificate

A teaching certificate ensures that you are licensed in your practicing state. Once you complete the necessary college coursework and graduate with a Bachelors or Masters degree, you can sign up to take the exams required by your state to certify you to teach a specific grade level or a specific subject.

State Licensure and Regulations

After students have graduated with a Bachelors or Masters degree, passed the necessary state regulated exams, and acquired a teaching license, it is easy to add certifications to your license. All states have different guideline, but TeachingDegrees.com offers state specific information on adding certifications to your teaching license.

In most states, if you already possess a teaching license, you can sign up to take exams for different grade levels and specific subjects. If you pass those exams and send your test scores to the state, you will be able to send in an application to add that certification to your license. This allows you to have numerous options when applying for teaching jobs.

Find your state's licensing requirements.

CAEP: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation works to ensure that all teaching programs are accredited so that teachers can become licensed after graduation.

TeachingDegrees.com provides only information from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation website.

While teachers without a license can teach in some private schools, most schools prefer to hire teachers who are certified. Certification ensures that not only do teachers know their subject matter, but they also have learned how to deliver that information to students based on their grade level and can properly handle behavior management in the classroom.

Education Requirements for Teaching Certification

At a minimum teachers must hold a Bachelors degree, preferably from an accredited college. TeachingDegrees.com uses information from the Council for the Accreditation on Educator Preparation on this page.

CAEP Accredited Teaching ProgramsThe Council for the Accreditation on Educator Preparation works as a whole to prepare colleges to offer coursework for potential teachers that will prep them to sit for exams such as the Praxis. Some states are now requiring that all teachers hold a Master’s degree, or earn one within the first few years of teaching. Several colleges now offer Master’s degree programs online as a convenient and accessible option for a teacher’s schedule.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Those of you interested in an energetic career in the education field can begin by completing coursework on the Bachelors level. This can be done by attending traditional campuses or online schools. Students have various options of what to major in. For students who want to focus on younger children, most states offer a degree in Pre-k through 3rd grade. This degree program prepares students to understand the development level of smaller children typically ages 4-8 and how to present information to them in the classroom that they will be able to absorb.

These degree programs offer insight into how to manage behavior in the classroom for younger students. Students who plan to major in Early Elementary Education will most likely teach all subjects in their classroom. At this early age, that includes reading, writing, math, and art. Teachers who major in Early Elementary Education will be qualified to sit for exams after graduation, and once they pass these exams, they can apply for a teaching license in their state. This job offers teachers a chance to make a positive impression on children that are eager to learn at an early age.

Learn more about a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

The most common degree program for students interested in becoming an Elementary school teacher is a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Teachers who complete the coursework and degree requirements for this major are eligible to obtain a teaching license for grades Kindergarten through Sixth grade. Information on TeachingDegrees.com comes from programs that are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

All of that information will ensure you are eligible for certification and licensure through accredited programs. After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, students will sit for the licensing exam in the state in which they intend to teach. Upon obtaining a teaching license, students have the option to pursue a Masters degree in Elementary Education or a similar field of Education to add another certification to their license.

Learn more about Elementary Education.

Consider Pursuing a Master’s in a Specialty Subject Area

For students who are interested in a challenging and vigorous job, teaching older kids and teens might be the job for you. If you are interested in teaching Middle School or Secondary School, TeachingDegrees.com has all of the information that you need. Secondary teachers have a few options when choosing a major in college.

The suggested route is to pursue a Bachelors degree in the subject that you prefer to teach. For example, if a teacher was interested in teaching Middle School Math or High School Math, then that student would major in Math, with a minor in Secondary Education. The major classes prepare teachers to know their subject.

The subject courses also prepares students to take their content Praxis exams. A minor in Secondary Education will help teachers understand the best way to approach behavior management, classroom strategies, and teaching methods for adolescents. The education courses would also prepare teachers to pass the Praxis exams that pertain to teaching and no subject matter. Most states require every teacher to pass 2-4 exams before being eligible for a teaching license.

State Licensure

As with other careers, teachers need a license to teach in the state in which they live. Obtaining a license ensures that teachers are knowledgeable in their subject and well trained to deliver and present information to their students in a productive method. Teaching license are regulated through the state government, usually located in the state’s capital. Each state has different requirements and regulations for applying for a teaching license.

The most common route is to complete a Bachelor’s degree in the subject or grade level in which you want to teach, then sit for the exams, then apply for licensing in your state. The college where you graduate can help you with the application process, and the local school district can assist the process as well once you’ve been hired. Some states have the applications available online.

How Certification Works

Becoming a licensed teacher can be done in just a few steps after graduation. It is important once you have graduated to send your transcripts to the state’s licensing board. They will also require a copy of your test results. Once they have both of these, you can apply for a teaching license.

If teachers want to add a certification to teach a new subject or different grade level, then an examination is required. Each state has a set of minimum scores it will accept in order to add the certification to a teaching license. TeachingDegrees.com offers information from each state on the certification process.

All information provided on TeachingDegrees.com comes from the Council for the Accreditation on Educator Preparation. Most school districts have a Human Resource professional that can answer your questions and give advice throughout the process.

Traditional Path to Teaching

Most teachers take a traditional route when obtaining a teaching license. This is the most common process after graduating with a degree in Education. Alternative Teaching License are only available under rare circumstances.

The traditional path is for teachers who have majored in what they plan to teach, and who have successfully passed the series of exams required by their specific state. The teaching license is in place to make sure all applicants who apply to teach in public schools are qualified in their content knowledge.

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation works with colleges to make sure their education programs are accredited, so that when students graduate, they are better prepared to obtain a teaching license.

All of the information for state specific certification provided by TeachingDegrees.com comes from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

For those of you that have always wanted to become a teacher and who have majored in Education, you are eligible to apply for a teaching license upon graduation as soon as you pass the required standardized test in your practicing state.

Alternative Paths to Certification

TeachingDegrees.com has all of the updated information you need to obtain an alternative certification. Alternative certifications are not as common as the traditional paths. Some districts in rural or inner city areas have a difficult time finding teachers that are certified. If a person has a Bachelors or Master’s degree in something other than education, and does not have an education background in college, they can still be considered for certification.

If you are hired by a school district, the school district can apply on your behalf for a temporary license while you work on your education requirements. Temporary license are usually good for 2-3 years depending on the grade level and subject you are hired to teach. During those years, you are required to complete education coursework at a college or university. This usually can be done online since you will be teaching full-time. Along with completing coursework, teachers with a temporary license will also have to take the same series of exams that conventional teachers take when receiving their license.

Why Certification

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation helps colleges keep their education programs accredited so teachers are eligible for licensing and certification. The certification process is necessary before teachers can be hired by a public school district, unless they take the alternative route.

Certification promotes high quality teachers that have displayed knowledge in their subject and on the grade level in which they plan to teach. The certification process also allows teachers to add endorsements to their certification at any time. Once a teacher holds a teaching license in a specific state, they can pass a series of exams in a new subject and add that endorsement to their certification.

TeachingDegrees.com offers the information you need on different types of endorsements and certifications that you will have the option of adding to your teaching license.