How long for teaching credentials

Student teaching experience and an internship is also an essential part of certification. Once an aspirant gets admitted into an educator preparation program, certification plans are prepared. These are based on an evaluation of transcripts.

Candidates complete the program within years generally. Certification plans, on the other hand, are valid for three years. After this, certification plans must be renewed. Teacher preparation programs require a blend of exams, internship and coursework to prepare you for a career in education. For preparation, help and resources are available at Teacher Builder, a unique repository of information and up-to-date certification programs.

Teacher education programs may take 4 years to complete after which certification plans are prepared for a three year period. California State University, Dominguez Hills. Facilities and Leasing. Media Resources. Teaching Credential Questions. Expand Menu. Curriculum and Instruction M. Latest News. How do I obtain a teaching credential? If you already have a bachelor's in another subject, you may already be eligible to enroll in a teacher preparation program at a college or university.

Here's another piece of good news: if you don't already have a bachelor's degree, there are integrated bachelor's degree programs in which students can earn a bachelor's degree in education and complete a teacher preparation program in just four years total. And, if you really don't want to major in education, you may be able to major in your subject area and minor in education—especially if you want to become a high school teacher.

You don't need a master's degree in education to become a teacher anywhere in the US, though you may need to go back to grad school eventually to keep teaching. Even as states like Georgia continue to license educators without advanced degrees, states like Connecticut, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York have all made earning a master's degree in teaching or education a part of maintaining licensure.

In many states, earning credits toward a master's degree is one of the easiest ways to meet continuing education requirements, so teachers who've been in the classroom for a certain number of years tend to have master's degrees even though it's not required. There are even colleges and universities that offer one-year master's in education programs for non-teachers.

If you already have a bachelor's degree, you may be able to become a teacher in just one year by enrolling in a master's in education programs for non-teachers with a licensure track. Don't assume that the Master of Arts in Teaching is the better choice because you want to launch a classroom career. While the MAT is sometimes described as the degree for students who want to teach and the MEd is regarded as the degree for aspiring administrators and curriculum designers, there are many MEd specializations designed for educators.

Other colleges and universities offer concentrations related to specific subjects like social studies and science, early childhood education, and educational psychology. Some of these programs are geared toward experienced teachers, but others are designed for prospective teachers and can help you get a teaching credential in your state. Almost all states have their own state-sponsored alternative certification programs designed to help teachers get into underserved public school districts as quickly as possible.

You can research these programs online; note that the information you'll find may be out of date. The easiest way to find out more about the alternative certification options for public school teachers in your state is to reach out to the department of education directly. There are also fast-track teaching certification programs administered by colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and private companies. Check out these options:. Teach for America is a highly selective two-year program that puts aspiring teachers across the US into classrooms in low-income and underserved areas.

Members commit to teaching in these areas for a minimum of two years in return for classroom training and support as they complete the training necessary to get state certification and launch a teaching career. You can complete the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence 's percent online certification program in less than one year.

The program is designed with flexibility in mind. All education courses are delivered asynchronously. TeacherReady is another accelerated teacher preparation program that takes less than one year to complete.

The entire program is delivered online, there are no group assignments, and student teaching fieldwork hours can be completed on a manageable schedule. At the end of the program, you'll receive a Florida teaching license. Make sure it is transferable to your state before enrolling. The cohort-based Teach-Now teaching program is for anyone who wants to teach in Washington, DC and Arizona, or in states with reciprocity. At just nine months, this program is one of the fastest alternative teacher education programs.

Small groups of 10 to 15 students complete intensive, comprehensive modules and synchronous, virtual classes together for the duration of the program as well as independent projects and asynchronous clinical activities. Students complete just six months of online asynchronous coursework, then transition into a year-long paid teaching residency designed to help students get professional experience before applying for full-time teaching positions.

Be sure to check with your state's department of education to confirm that the program you're considering follows all state guidelines for teacher preparation and that you'll be eligible for state licensure after completing the program.

There are two routes into teaching we haven't discussed yet, both of which can take no time at all. The first is to teach at a private school. Private schools including religious schools are allowed to set their own criteria when it comes to minimum teacher standards, so you might be able to find a teaching position at a private school without a degree in education or a license. Landing a teaching job in a private school may even help you meet state requirements related to teaching experience, making it easier to become a certified teacher later on.

The second is to relocate to a state, rural area, or inner-city area with a severe teacher shortage.