How To Become a Teacher Online in the U.S.
All states require teachers to have a degree to obtain a teaching license. Busy students can earn their teaching degree online and still qualify for a license.
When the pandemic hit, many schools started offering online education programs so learners could complete their higher education. Today, many degree programs are available online, including teaching degrees.
Online teaching degrees offer a flexible option to students while still teaching the essential knowledge and know-how necessary to become an effective teacher. Keep reading to learn how to become a teacher online in the U.S.
Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in the U.S.
While the education needed to become a teacher varies by state, in most states, teachers must hold at least a bachelor's degree to earn a teaching license. Note that while you can take most, if not all, of your teaching courses online, you will still need to complete student teaching in person.
Below, we've broken down the basic steps required to become a teacher online in the U.S.
1. Determine Your Area of Focus
Most types of teaching degrees and teacher preparation programs will have focus areas to tailor your studies to the age group you want to teach. After all, you'll need different strategies for teaching a first grader than teaching a high school freshman.
Programs generally break down these areas of focus into the following categories:
- Early childhood education: usually infancy to age 8
- Elementary education: kindergarten through 5th grade
- Middle-grade education: usually 6th through 8th grade
- High school education: 9th through 12th grade
Further, many programs focus on a specific subject area. For elementary education degrees, you could choose something like art, music, or physical education. More subject areas are offered for those in high school education degree programs, such as English, science, math, and social studies.
Many education programs also offer a concentration in special education. Sometimes these are broken up by grade levels, but often, they're general special education focuses.
2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online
While online teaching degrees aren't as common as other types of online degrees, they do exist. In these programs, you'll have online courses but you must complete your teaching experience in person.
Most states require that teachers earn a bachelor's degree and complete an educator preparation or teacher preparation program. Many bachelor's degree programs double as teacher preparation programs, and completing your bachelor's degree and your teaching program together will save you a lot of time.
Before you choose an online program for teaching, check that the program is approved by your state's board of education. You should also check that the program offers an accredited teacher preparation program. The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) both accredit these programs.
Bachelor's degree programs usually take four years to complete. You'll typically do the student teaching during your final year.
3. Complete Required Teaching Hours
All teacher preparation programs, and most teaching degrees, require students to complete student teaching hours. These are usually done at the end of your program.
During this period, you'll observe an experienced teacher in the classroom setting. Then, for a few weeks, you'll be the teacher, developing lesson plans, teaching lessons, and guiding students under the mentorship of an experienced teacher.
4. Finish Teacher Preparation Programs
As we mentioned above, pretty much all states require you to complete a teacher preparation program to obtain your teaching certificate. Most teaching degrees include a teacher preparation program so you can finish both at once.
If you've earned a degree in another field, many states will still allow you to become a teacher by completing a teacher preparation program. Before choosing a program, ensure it's accredited by the AAQEP or the CAEP.
5. Pass a Background Check
To work with children, you'll need to be able to pass a background check. The requirements for this check vary between states.
Often, the background check is a part of the licensing process. Check with your state's board of education to determine state requirements.
Fingerprinting
Some states require teachers to be fingerprinted as part of their background checks. Again, requirements vary by state.
This allows the school district to have your fingerprints on file if something happens. It also allows them to run your prints to ensure you aren't hiding any criminal activity.
6. Obtain Teaching Licensure in Your State
In all states, public school teachers need to hold a teaching license from that state. Private school requirements for licensure vary by school.
Usually, you'll need to complete a teacher education program and pass a background check to earn your teaching license. You'll also need to pass a teaching exam. Most states use the Praxis exams, but some, like California, Minnesota, and Texas, use their own.
7. Maintain Teaching Licensure
If you hold a teaching license, you'll need to take steps to keep it current. Once again, the requirements to maintain licensure depend on your state.
Many states require that teachers complete continuing education hours, such as classes, conferences, or training programs. Some states require teachers to earn a master's degree within a certain timeframe to obtain their license. These degrees are often available online.
Online Bachelor's in Teaching Degrees in the U.S.
As we mentioned above, online teaching degrees aren't as common as other types of online degrees, but they do exist. Below, we've listed a few online bachelor's degrees in teaching that offer a flexible path to a teaching career.
Liberty University Online � Bachelor of Education
Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. It offers multiple online Bachelor of Education degrees, each accredited by CAEP.
Students can earn online Bachelor of Education degrees in elementary education, middle education, secondary education, and special education. The middle and secondary education degrees offer specializations in subjects, such as English, math, science, and social science.
The online courses in this program are asynchronous, meaning you complete them on your own time. The program allows students to complete their student teaching in their community.
University of Phoenix � BS in Education
The University of Phoenix is a private, for-profit online university based in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.
Coursework for this program covers topics like child development, classroom management, and student assessment. Students can complete their student teaching in a local school district, but their faculty supervisor will still assist with things like developing lesson plans.
Walden University � BS in Elementary Education
Walden University is a private, for-profit online university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offers a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and is accredited by CAEP.
This program provides a holistic perspective to teaching and offers interactive online teacher practice simulations. Students can complete their student teaching hours at an elementary school of their choice so long as it's approved by the school.
FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in the U.S.
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about becoming a teacher in the U.S.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Teacher?
Generally, it takes a little over four years to become a licensed teacher and obtain a teaching job. Your bachelor's degree program will likely take four years of full-time study, then you'll need to obtain teacher certification from your state and secure a job as a school teacher.
What Financial Aid Options Are There for Prospective Teachers?
Financial aid options like grants and scholarships are available to teachers. When you fill out your FAFSA, the application will automatically assess your eligibility for things like the Federal Pell Grant, which can significantly reduce your costs.
Additionally, there are many financial aid programs specifically for teachers. Several states offer grant programs for teachers, and you can find scholarships through the scholarship finder at the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website.
What Is an Alternative Teaching Certificate?
Alternate teaching certificates are alternative ways to pursue a teaching career path. These are usually for those who have a bachelor's degree in a different field or who have several years of experience working in a school setting.
Requirements for these types of programs vary between states. Most states still require you to hold a bachelor's degree, even if it's not in teaching, and pass required teaching exams.
Become a Teacher Online in Your State
If you are looking to become a teacher online, find your state below for available programs and resources.