How Long Does It Take To Become A Teacher Blog

Published by Alliant International University

Find Your Path

There are many people who dream of nothing more than to teach and lead a classroom full of children. But acquiring the degree, going through the student teaching experience, and meeting other state requirements may make the road to teaching seem too difficult to complete.

When considering how to become a teacher, you'll also want to know how long the process will take. Naturally, the journey varies with an individual's experience, capacity for coursework, and state of residence. This guide gives you a good idea of the amount of time needed to acquire a teaching credential. We will also be including tips on how to speed up the process so you can start your dream career sooner.

Earning Your Bachelor's Degree

Don't know what degree you need to become a teacher? Our experts at Alliant International University can help. As you know, a bachelor's degree is sometimes called a four-year degree since it typically takes that long to complete both your general education classes and coursework for your academic major. But different circumstances can either lengthen or shorten this process. Here are some factors that may influence the amount of time you need to graduate before you can start your teaching career.

get your education degree

Traditional or accelerated programs. Traditional colleges and universities operate on either a 10-week quarter system or, most commonly, a 15-week semester system. Each system has its advantages. The quarter system allows you to complete courses faster, while the semester system allows you to take more courses. There is also the option of accelerated courses, which can often be completed in as little as five weeks. Traditional colleges may offer these as interterm courses in the winter and summer between semesters. Many students, especially those needing to work while enrolled in school, chose to complete an accelerated bachelor's degree program online, due to the flexibility it affords. Testing out of certain classes also saves significant time.

Full or part-time work. Work often determines whether students attend school full time or part-time. You're considered a full-time student if you take 12 units per semester. Many students choose to take 18 units or higher in order to finish their degree faster. However, this may be unrealistic for students working even part-time jobs, and many of them choose to take fewer than 12 units at a time.

Teaching or non-teaching degree. If you pursue a teacher education degree in which your courses and field experiences train you to teach in a PreK-12 classroom, then your degree is integrated with a teacher preparation program. However, if your degree focuses on learning and researching a particular subject, but doesn't include teaching pedagogy and field experience, then you'll need to complete a separate teacher preparation program, which will add one to two years onto your schooling. Investigate the different degree options for teachers to see which option best fits your career timeline.

Completing a Teacher Preparation Program

A teacher preparation program – either as part of your bachelor's degree or separately – is required in order to teach in a PreK-12 classroom. You don't need this type of teacher certification if you'll be working in higher education, but you will need at least a master's degree and research experience to do so. As already mentioned, if your teacher preparation program isn't integrated into your degree coursework, expect an additional one to two years for completion before you can start your teaching career.

Acquiring Your Teaching Credential

Getting a teaching certificate or credential is the final step in starting a teaching career as a state-certified teacher. The credential shows that you have met the state's requirements and are qualified to teach. For a preliminary, multiple-subject teaching credential in California, you must:

Have a bachelor's or higher degree
Meet basic skills proficiency (by passing a basic skills test or another specified method)
Demonstrate subject matter competence (by passing a subject exam or completing a subject matter program)
Pass a reading assessment (not required if you complete a teacher preparation program)
Complete a course or pass an exam on the U.S. Constitution
Complete an approved multi-subject teacher preparation program, from which you receive a formal recommendation

Teaching credential requirements will vary from place to place. For current educator licensure information, check the Department of Education website for the state in which you plan to teach.

Get your teaching credentials today

So, How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher?

The traditional, non-accelerated route to a bachelor's degree and teaching credential will take four to five years, assuming you major in education and don't need to take a separate teacher training program. If you decide to do an accelerated degree program, you may be able to complete your coursework and credentials sooner. Because of teacher shortages across the country, states are now creating faster paths toward obtaining a credential in hopes of attracting willing and talented individuals to the profession. Some of these programs, like Alliant International University's intern teaching options, allow you to work as a salaried teacher while you complete your credential requirements.

About Alliant

Alliant offers credentials for single-subject, multiple-subject, and special education teachers, as well as a California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL) certificate. To hear more, contact an Alliant Admission Counselor today at (866) 825-5426.

Sources

"The Fastest Way to Become a Teacher - Obtain a Certification to Teach in Record Time," by Lizzie Perrin of Noodle https://www.noodle.com/articles/fastest-way-to-become-a-teacher
"Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – Requirements for Teachers Prepared in California," California Commission on Teacher Credentialing https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl561c.pdf?sfvrsn=12