Teacher Certification and Licensure

A teacher training program or teacher licensure program will focus on providing educators with the knowledge of how to teach, as well as the advanced knowledge for the subjects they may desire to teach.

The field of teaching is perhaps one of the more diverse areas of study available in career training. A variety of opportunities exist for those interested in a teaching career, all with their own set of certification requirements, though some similarities are present across the board. A teacher training program and teacher licensure program are available online or at a traditional university.

A teacher training program or teacher licensure program will focus on providing educators with the knowledge of how to teach, as well as the advanced knowledge for the subjects they may desire to teach. Completion of a teacher training program and teacher licensure program are required to teach in public schools, as well as many charter and private schools.
Elementary school teachers and kindergarten teachers are traditionally required to complete a minimum of a bachelor’s program in elementary education. For those interested in being high school or middle school teachers, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, including coursework specific to one’s area of specialization, is required. Physical education degrees exist as their own separate entity. Additionally, advanced coursework can be completed in school administration, providing career opportunities as principals and vice principals.
A plethora of undergraduate programs exist that provide degree seekers teacher training and teacher licensure as part of a four year degree. These programs usually require the student to take required coursework in education, as well as their specialized areas, and to complete practicum and student teaching experience required for licensure in their respective states. It is important to note that each state has its own set of requirements for teacher licensure. Additionally, these programs usually provide preparation and opportunities to take state tests or the PRAXIS teacher examination.

Many of these education schools also provide opportunities for post-bachelor teacher training programs and master’s in education and administration. Post-BA teacher training programs provide degree seekers who have already achieved the required degrees, to take the education coursework required for teacher licensure. Master’s programs in education provide additional degree work in teaching, as well as in educational administration, the required degree to become a principal.

For those not interested in traditional education coursework, many states provide alternative teacher licensures programs. These non-traditional programs often require at least a bachelor’s, if not a master’s degree, in the specialized area a person wishes to teach. Most applicants are required to pass the state teacher examinations and complete an intensive training or internship program which begins their teaching career in the midst of teacher training. Specific requirements for these programs also vary by state.
Find out more about the teacher certification programs and teacher licensure programs today!