Education
Careers in the Education Sector
The education sector employs many millions of people in the USA. If you are thinking of becoming a teacher, you will find plenty of demand. How do you become a teacher, and what qualifications will you require?
Teaching is a rewarding career for those who are dedicated to it. Helping young people achieve their goals is satisfying. But educational requirements must be met to be accepted in a teaching role. We outline what you need to do below.
Studying for Teaching Role
All states require teachers to have a bachelor's degree. This applies to kindergarten teachers right up to high school teachers. Many high schools require applicants to have majored in a specific subject area.
To work in a preschool, the applicant may find that an associate's degree is sufficient. This is a two-year foundation in one of three subject areas that can be studied at a community college, junior college, or vocational college, thus reducing the cost of a university course.
Once completed, the student may choose to convert the associate's degree into a bachelor’s with a further two years at a university. As we mentioned above, this is a necessary requirement for all teaching applicants.
There are options for heading straight into a bachelor’s degree without taking the associate's path. Modern degrees can also be studied online, a convenient method for those who are working and looking for a career change.
Gaining Experience as a Student Teacher
As part of the bachelor’s degree program, the teaching student must find employment as a Student Teacher. The purpose is to help the student gain a first-hand understanding and experience of working in a classroom.
The student will be under the guidance of a qualified teacher, and once they graduate, they must complete the licensing requirements of the state they wish to work in. This is a requirement for public schools, but it may not be if you gain employment in a private school. We recommend checking the license requirements in the appropriate state.
There are certain further requirements for those in teaching roles. For example, the school will almost certainly require that the teachers continue in ongoing education to a minimum number of hours per term. This is to maintain the standards required of the US education system.
Many teachers use this time to work towards a master’s degree. This can be a sensible option as a higher degree allows the teacher to apply for higher paying and higher ranking positions, including many administrative roles that may be more financially rewarding.
Conclusion
Teaching is an engaging profession and one where every day is different. If you are interested in a teaching role, we hope the above brief article has helped you understand the path you need to take.
The choice of beginning with an associate's degree or going straight into a bachelor’s program is up to the individual, so start researching appropriate degrees that will help you achieve your career aims.
5 schools found
American InterContinental University
Schaumburg, Illinois
Years
Private For-Profit
At AIU, we understand the demands and challenges you face on a daily basis. That’s why we’re here to support you along the way. Our degree programs are designed so you can learn in ways that fit your life, with 24/7 access to your classes online or through our mobile app. We also provide you with a Graduation Team, a group of four advisors you can turn to anytime throughout your journey. The team includes an Admissions Advisor, Financial Aid Advisor, Faculty Advisor and Student Advisor.
American International College
1000 State Street Springfield, MA 01109
Years
Private For-Profit
Our history is tied to America’s success
American International College (AIC) was founded on July 18, 1885. It was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on September 18, 1885, with the purpose of educating immigrants who were coming to America through New York. That’s where our commitment to diversity, flexibility, and understanding began. They came to America to pursue a dream and AIC was founded to ensure their success.
AIC Today
American International College is a private, coeducational, four-year comprehensive institution located in the geographic center of Springfield, Massachusetts. Liberal arts serves as the core of our academic offerings. The College comprises the School of Business, Arts & Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences.
American International College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Years
Private For-Profit
Colorado Technical University’s mission is to provide industry-relevant higher education to a diverse student population through innovative technology and experienced faculty, enabling the pursuit of personal and professional goals.
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA 24515
Years
Private Non-Profit
As an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers you an education that is both academically challenging and rooted in a biblical worldview.
At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 35+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online
Years
Private Non-Profit
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
200+ Degrees
Career-focused programs designed to give you the real-world experience employers are looking for
Low Tuition Rates
As a nonprofit university, we offer some of the most affordable online tuition in the nation