How To Become a Teacher Online in California

Becoming a teacher in California requires at least a bachelor's degree, although some institutions prefer a master's degree. California teachers also need to complete a teacher preparation program, which includes student teaching.

Students can become teachers online with just an internet connection. Keep reading to learn how to become a teacher online in California.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in California

To become a teacher online in California, you'll need to earn an online teaching degree which includes an approved teacher preparation program. You must also complete in-person student teaching hours and earn a teaching certificate, or teaching license.

You may be able to become a teacher for free online, depending on the assistance programs available to you. We've broken down the basic steps for becoming a teacher online in California.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

Before you start your teaching degree, you'll need to choose an area of focus. This area of focus will guide you as you choose a teaching program, complete student teaching requirements, and earn your teaching credential.

Most colleges and universities break up teaching education programs into the following areas:

• Early childhood education: teaching children from infancy to 3rd grade, usually for those who want to teach in daycares or preschools
• Elementary education: teaching children from kindergarten through 5th grade, usually for those who want to work in elementary schools
• Middle school education: usually teaching children from 6th through 8th grade, for those wanting to teach in middle school settings
• High school education: teaching students from 9th through 12th grade, for those wanting to teach in a high school setting
• Special education: teaching children and adolescents with developmental or learning delays or disabilities, these programs are sometimes further divided by grade range

Some programs allow teaching students to further specialize. For example, an elementary education degree may offer specialization in art, music, or physical education, while a middle school or high school degree may offer specializations in English, math, science, or social studies.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

Once you've chosen your area of study, you'll need to find an online teaching degree in that area of study. Typically, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree to become a teacher in California.

Online California teaching programs will cover various topics depending on your area of study, such as classroom management and lesson planning. You can take courses online, but your teaching fieldwork must be in person.

To ensure that you'll be eligible for licensure when you finish, choose an institution approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. You can learn more at CTA.CA.gov.

3. Pass a Background Check

Before you can earn your California teaching credential, and in many cases, before you can start teaching in a classroom setting, you'll need to pass a background check. This ensures that you're a safe person to work with students.

Depending on your school district, your background check may include a drug test or fingerprinting. Fingerprinting allows the district to have your fingerprints on file if there's an incident.

4. Complete Required Teaching Hours

During your student teaching period, you'll have the chance to lead a classroom under the guidance of an experienced school teacher. You'll develop lesson plans, teach lessons, and support students.

Some programs in Califonia, called integrated undergraduate programs, include student teaching during the last semester of your bachelor's degree program. However, most teaching credential program programs have students complete student teaching after they've obtained their bachelor's degree.

5. Obtain Teaching Licensure in California

To teach at a public school anywhere in the U.S., including California, you need a teaching license. Private schools set distinct rules, but some may require a teaching license.

When teachers are first licensed in California, they earn a preliminary credential, which is good for five years. Once they've held that credential for five years, they're eligible to receive what's called a clear credential.

The preliminary teaching credential requirements include earning a bachelor's degree and completing a teacher preparation program. It also includes verifying subject-matter competency, which can be done by taking courses in that subject or taking the relevant subject-matter examinations.

California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)

The California Basic Educational Skills Test is the basic exam teachers take to prove their competence in teaching reading, math, and writing. Note that the CBEST is no longer required for most teaching credentials if you have a bachelor's degree.

Students can choose to take the exam at a test center or online. The test has three separate sections that are administered individually.

California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)

For teachers, primarily middle and high school teachers, who are teaching a specific subject, one way to earn your credential in California is to pass the CSET exam for that subject.

Most of these tests are available online. There are multiple subjects to choose from, including English, Science, math, and second languages.

Multiple Subject Teaching Examination (MSTE)

Those teaching several subjects, such as elementary school teachers, should take the CSET for multiple subjects. This exam is broken into three subtests, and only the first two can be taken online.

The first test covers reading, language, literature, history, and social science. The second covers science and math. Both of these have a time limit of three hours.

The final test covers physical education, human development, and visual and performing arts. It takes about two hours and 15 minutes.

Online Bachelor's in Teaching Degree Programs in California

A few different colleges and universities in California offer online teaching degrees. We've highlighted a few below.

California Baptist University � BA in Early Childhood Studies

California Baptist University is a private Baptist Christian university in Riverside, California. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in early childhood studies.

This program trains students to make a lasting impact in early intervention, research, and early childhood advocacy. Students with this degree can work as preschool teachers and child life specialists.

California State University � BS in Education

The California State University (CSU) System is a public college system in California. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Career and Technical Studies with a concentration in Education.

This program allows students to earn a bachelor's degree focusing on teacher education, but they'll still need to complete teaching experience after graduating. It also provides training for learners who want to explore opportunities in a new industry or move forward in their current field.

Additionally, CSU offers several hybrid education programs doubling as teacher preparation programs. If you live nearby, this can be a great option to complete your teacher preparation quickly.

California Coast University � BS in General Studies

California Coast University is a private for-profit online university based in Santa Ana, California. It offers an online BS in general studies that gives students a flexible foundation for the career path of their choice.

This program provides a broad base of courses in a variety of subjects. Students will still need to complete a teacher credentialing program after earning this degree.

Can You Become a Teacher in California Without a Degree?

It is possible to start teaching before you've earned a degree, but you'll need a degree to earn either a single-subject teaching credential or a multiple-subject teaching credential.

That being said, there are ways to become a teacher if you have a degree, but it's in a field other than education. However, you will still need to complete a teacher credentialing program.