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In general, how many years of studying / college would I have to complete before I become a teacher?
I'm planning to go straight into college right after high school.
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Melanie’s Answer
Hey there! As an aspiring educator myself, I am in the midst of this process right now. As the others said, the typical program is 4 years, depending on the type of teacher you would like to become and whether you transfer in from a community/other college. Also, some teachers choose to receive their Masters which is another year of schooling. I will advise though, I have heard from other current teachers that it is best to wait on getting your Master's degree because the district that you work for may pay for your continued education. If you choose to do it right after you finish your Bachelor's degree, you would be paying for that out of pocket. Typically though, to become a teacher you would just need the 4 year Bachelor's degree.
Use caution with the district paying for a Master's degree. Most school districts are funded with public monies and have a hard time paying for things like basic supplies. They would never have the funding to pay for multiple teachers' masters degrees! I worked in a well-funded district in Michigan and we had over 2,000 teachers. Imagine the millions of dollars that would cost to pay for those Master's degrees.
Laurie Pritchard, Ed. S., M.A.T.
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Stacie’s Answer
For most public schools you need a bachelors degree in education. However, there are many private schools, that might accept less or a degree not in education due to the teacher shortage. Like Tiffany stated, many employers will help you finance continuing education!
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Marylou’s Answer
I have a bachelor of science in education. It’s a four year degree. And the second half of your last semester you will likely do some student teaching.
I was really fortunate when I did my student teaching. The man who I was following, decided to leave the job, and I inherited it! I ran the theater department in a public school.
I have been a teacher for almost 50 years, and it is one of the most rewarding things I do with my life. Even though I retired, I still teach privately.
Best of luck in your journey. You won’t regret it.
I was really fortunate when I did my student teaching. The man who I was following, decided to leave the job, and I inherited it! I ran the theater department in a public school.
I have been a teacher for almost 50 years, and it is one of the most rewarding things I do with my life. Even though I retired, I still teach privately.
Best of luck in your journey. You won’t regret it.
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Thomas’s Answer
Hi Gabriela, It all of course depends on the kind of teaching you want to do. Have you considered teaching abroad? A very fast-track way would be to start teaching English in non-native speaking countries. Go get a 120 hours TEFL Certificate and that'll bring you a long way.
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Tiffany’s Answer
Hi, Gabriela! The average degree for a teacher is a bachelors degree in education. That program last four years, also includes an internship where you would go out to student teach in a classroom under a supervising teacher, and then you can get a job as a teacher. Also, there are some college programs where you can get a Masters degree in education combined with your bachelors degree for a total of five years of schooling. The benefit to that is that you will make more starting as a teacher with a Masters degree than with only a bachelors degree in education. Good luck in your journey!
Hello Gabriela, I will say Tiffany's answer would match my own. 4 years and the last year includes the student teaching. Make sure to research the school program that would work the best for you. Also if you can, take a few Special ED courses. You will find that they will come in handy as well. It will give you a different perspective on how to handle "some" of you students to be.
Tania Forbes
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James’s Answer
Hi Gabriela, it depends where you are interested in studying but as a student teacher myself I have completed an undergraduate degree in Maths and Computer Science (with Education) and I now have to do a one year Masters (PME). Depending on what degree you do, sometimes the undergraduate can be 3 years and then a 2 year Masters. In general though it will take around 5 years to become a fully qualified teacher in Ireland.