How Fast Can I Become a High School Teacher?

Working as a high school teacher can be very rewarding. You get the unique opportunity to help learners prepare for the next phase of their lives whether they plan to start a career or attend college after graduation.

But what are the steps to become a high school teacher? And how long does it take? You'll need to earn a degree in education or the specific subject area you want to teach and complete a student-teaching program. Becoming a high school teacher normally takes four to five years; however, you can start in fewer years with an accelerated program and transfer credits.

Below, we'll explore some accelerated degree programs designed to prepare students for teaching careers in less time. We'll also look at ways to use transfer credits, online teaching courses, and internships to become a high school teacher faster.

Tips for Quickly Becoming a High School Teacher

Some colleges and universities offer accelerated degree programs for various types of teaching degrees to help students begin their teaching careers quickly. The time it takes to get a teaching degree depends on factors like the length of the accelerated program and how many credits you transfer. If you're ready to start your high school teacher career, the following tips can help.

1. Find an Online Accelerated Degree Program

Online accelerated degree programs help you complete your studies in less time than traditional programs. This means you could finish a bachelor's degree in fewer than four years and a master's degree in fewer than two to three years. Here are three accelerated online degrees in teaching to consider.

George Fox University � Accelerated Online BS in Teaching

George Fox University offers the Bachelor of Science (BS) online accelerated teaching degree for working adults interested in completing their studies in as few as 16 to 20 months. Classes are available online on evenings and weekends. Upon completion, graduates earn Oregon PreK-12 preliminary teaching licensure for single subjects in high school or middle school � or multiple subjects in elementary school.

University of New Mexico � Accelerated Online MA in Education

The Master of Arts (MA) in education from the University of New Mexico is an accelerated online program helping students with an undergraduate degree and valid teaching license advance their professional development in education. Students who enroll in this 30-credit program can take courses during academic semesters and the summer to accelerate their degree completion.

Concordia University-Wisconsin � Online Bachelor's in Secondary Education

Concordia University-Wisconsin offers an online bachelor's in secondary education for students interested in teaching grade levels from 4th to 12th grade. Concentrations include:

• English and language arts
• social studies
• k-12 cross-categorical special education
• mathematics

This 120-credit accelerated program allows students to transfer up to 84 credits. Enrollees can graduate with a bachelor's degree and a Wisconsin teaching license in secondary education in as few as three years.

2. Utilize Transfer Credits

Transfer credits allow students to receive credit for courses completed at another institution. This helps you avoid retaking courses when transferring to a new school. Many schools accept transfer credits; some colleges and universities let you transfer up to 90 out of 120 credits for bachelor's programs, which can help you graduate in a fraction of the time.

3. Test Out of Courses With CLEP Exams

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers 34 exams testing students' knowledge of introductory-level college course material. CLEP exam topics include:

• English literature
• American government
• biology
• college mathematics
• financial accounting

Students who pass an exam can earn three or more college credits. CLEP credits are accepted at 2,900 US colleges and universities.

4. Take Online Teaching Courses

Online teaching courses can help you gain foundational education knowledge. They can also help certified teachers with education degrees enhance their current experience with lesson planning and classroom instruction. Here are some great online teaching courses to consider.

Coursera's Learning to Teach Online

Learning to Teach Online (LTTO) from Coursera is an online course designed to help educators make better use of educational technology. Its modules focus on the importance of online teaching, planning online learning, and using strategies for online assessment. You can audit this course for free or buy it for $49 and receive a certificate.

HarvardX's Intro to Family Engagement in Education

The HarvardX Intro to Family Engagement in Education course explores how family engagement helps students and schools succeed. This course is free to enroll with optional upgrades. Students can explore coursework at their own pace. The typical timeframe for completion is six weeks when learning two to four hours per week.

Coursera's Excellence in Online Teaching

Coursera offers Excellence in Online Teaching, a course for educators who currently teach online or plan to do so. Teachers learn about inclusion, accessibility, and innovative ways to use technology. The course also teaches about professional growth and development. Learners can audit the course for free or pay $49 for a certificate.

5. Obtain State Teaching Licensure

Depending on the state you plan to teach, you might need teacher certification, a teaching license, or a teaching credential to educate students in public schools. Licensure or certification requirements typically vary by state.

For instance, New York State requires all public school teachers to hold a New York State certificate. Texas requires classroom teachers to pass the appropriate teacher certification exam. And in California, educators must earn a California teaching credential.

6. Network With Teaching Professionals

Networking with teaching professionals can help you build instructional skills. You can learn to develop quality lessons and engage your students for better learning outcomes. Teaching professionals can also tell you where to find great teaching positions in your area. Places to network include social media, teacher workshops, conferences, and networking websites.

7. Seek Internship Opportunities

An internship can give you real-world teaching experience and help you put into practice the knowledge gained in an education degree program. If you intern with a certified teacher, you can observe their interactions with students and learn how they prepare for class. You can also interact directly with students and gain confidence as a future teacher.

FAQs About Quickly Becoming a High School Teacher

Despite projections of slow employment growth for high school teachers from 2022 to 2032, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects more than 67,000 job openings annually due to labor force exits and transfers. Now's a great time to enter the education field. Want to learn more about quickly becoming a teacher? Check out these FAQs.

How Long Does It Take To Become a High School Teacher?

Becoming a high school teacher typically requires earning a bachelor's degree, completing a teacher preparation program, and passing a certification exam. You might also need to complete a background check and meet other state-based requirements. This normally takes four to five years; however, an accelerated program, transfer credits, and other steps could help you start a teaching job in less time.

Is It Hard To Be a High School Teacher?

High school teachers working in public schools often have large classes and could lack important teaching tools, which might lead to stress. As a teacher, you could also struggle to help students who lack motivation or have behavioral challenges. However, you have the chance to help students excel and reach their academic goals. Teachers also typically enjoy a two-month break during the summer. These pros for many teachers outweigh the cons.

Do I Need a Master's Degree To Become a High School Teacher?

All states require public school teachers to earn a bachelor's degree. Some states require high school teachers to earn a master's degree after securing their teaching certification and a teaching role in a public school district. In private schools, you typically only need a bachelor's degree.