How Long Does It Take To Get a Teaching Degree? (Guide)
Teachers are arguably the most important & influential individuals when it comes to their contributions to society.
The greatest influence on kids’ academic success comes from their teachers. A student’s commitment to their study can be greatly influenced by who they encounter in this regard.
If you’re considering a career in education and believe you’ve got what it takes to be a mentor to children & young adults, you might think how long does it take to become a teacher? Read on to get a complete look at the process and requirements necessary to enter the teaching profession.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Teaching Degree?
Getting a teaching degree requires a time commitment of at least 4 years. This is the duration to earn a BS, which is the very minimum level of education required of teachers, regardless of whether they’ll be working with elementary, middle, or high school students. A master’s degree program can take an extra two years for those who want to get their teaching certification and then go for their master’s.
What’s the fastest route to becoming a teacher?
Well, obtaining a 4-year bachelor’s degree is a must so there’s no working around that. But if you already have one, the fastest way is going to be enrolling in a master’s degree program that has a teacher licensing track, so the moment you’re done with it, you’re fully eligible to apply for a teaching position.
Timeline Of Getting a Teaching Degree
Teaching Level | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Elementary School Teacher | $48,363 |
Middle School Teacher | $61,320 |
High School Teacher | $69,600 |
College Professor | $162,301 |
What Are the Requirements to Get a Teaching Degree?
Even though the prerequisites for obtaining a teaching license vary from one state to another, the following credentials are typically required for a profession in teaching.
For Elementary School Teaching
- Complete a bachelor’s degree program in the respective subject with at least a 2.7 GPA.
- Participate in a classroom-based internship at the elementary school level.
- Participate in the elementary teacher licensure examinations that are offered in your state.
- Submit a license application with the school board in your state.
- After you’ve obtained your license, you should immediately start looking for available jobs.
For Middle School Teaching
- Earn a degree at the bachelor’s level. This entails obtaining an education in the subject(s) you intend to teach and enrolling in a program that prepares teachers.
- Obtain student teaching experience of several weeks.
- After fulfilling a range of state requirements, you can apply for certification.
- Send your resume and cover letter for teaching positions at middle schools that interest you.
For High School Teaching
- Earn a BS degree
- Gain experience entirely within the classroom
- Do well on the praxis exam
- Obtain your certificate to teach
For College Teaching
- A Ph.D. in the desired field of study
- Prior teaching experience required
- Accreditation for professional practice (depending on the field)
- Publications and a presence in the academic community of note
Teaching Degree Duration by State
Following is the duration of a teaching degree in Arizona, Texas & California, etc.
How Many Years Does the Average Teacher Teach?
The average amount of years that an individual has worked as a teacher is somewhere between 15 and 16 years. Even though there are individuals whose teaching career has spanned multiple decades.
Average Teacher Salary
The following is a breakdown of the average salaries for some of the most prevalent professions in the teaching sector across all US States.
State | Annual Teacher Salary |
---|---|
Texas | $51,889-$68,027 |
California | $58,217-$76,545 |
Michigan | $54,403 |
New York | $62,701-$82,459 |
Illinois | $53,528-$70,325 |
Pennsylvania | $52,701-$68,304 |
Washington | $26,000-$139,500 |
Georgia | $50,500-$66,400 |
New Jersey | $57,700-$75,800 |
Virginia | $51,834-$68,116 |
What Grades Does A Teacher Need?
Most degrees mandate that teachers maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.70. If you have a grade lower than a B in some programs, you won’t be able to move on to the next level of the education program. For instance, while you could get by with a grade of C in your class on public speaking, you cannot do so in your class on teaching methods.
Which Subject Is Best to Become a Teacher?
We’ve put up a list of what we think are the most engaging and rewarding subjects to become a teacher.
- Art
- Biology
- Spanish
- Chemistry
- Music Education
- English
- Special Education
- Mathematics
- French
- Physics
- Health & PE
- Social Studies
Below we’ve answered some queries that have been frequently asked by our readers.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Teaching Certificate With a Bachelor’s Degree?
Suppose someone already has a bachelor’s degree and wishes to receive a teaching certificate. In that case, it will take them approximately six years to do so, including the time spent earning the Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, candidates fulfill the requirements for the teaching certification within one to two years.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Primary School Teaching?
You’ll be required to have the following credentials: five GCSEs with grades ranging from 9 to 4 (A* to C), or their equivalents, with English, mathematics, and science among them. 2 to 3 A grades, or similar, for a degree. The minimum educational requirement for entry into primary school teaching is a BS degree, preferably in the subject you’re willing to teach.
How Many Years Is a Diploma in Teaching?
The Diploma in Education, also known as the DipEd, is a full-time, two-year curriculum designed for people who already have a GCE A-Level diploma, a Polytechnic diploma, or an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and want to teach in a school.
How Can I Get a Diploma for Teaching?
A diploma program is an option that should be considered by individuals who are interested in enhancing their job prospects on their own terms and in their own time. Diploma programs typically provide more flexible scheduling options and lower tuition rates than regular degree programs. Acquiring a diploma degree in teaching is your best bet if you desire a career in education and are considering your options.
How To Apply for a Teaching Course?
You must submit your application to UCAS to be considered for the primary undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training programs in Wales and Scotland.
Can I Do Teaching With C Minus?
If you earn a certification in ECDE, a grade of C- will get you hired as a teacher. After gaining the ECDE certificate, you can further your studies by enrolling in an ECDE diploma program.
Which Grade Is Needed for a Diploma of Education?
The following criteria must be met for a student to receive a Diploma Pass: there must be a minimum 40% mark in the Home Language for the student to pass. Learners must have a minimum 40% average in three other courses outside Life Orientation.
There’s no denying the fact that becoming a teacher may be a difficult or expensive endeavor for some. You’ll have to pay fees, buy books, and take tests.
Nonetheless, we aim to have highly qualified teachers instructing our kids. Because of this, teacher preparation courses aim to provide future teachers with the knowledge and abilities they’ll need to thrive in the classroom and advance their careers after graduation. So take on the task, and establish yourself as a respected teacher, society really needs you.