How To Become a Teacher in Louisiana 2025

<h3 id="section---Step1DecideWhatSubjectAndGradeLevelYouWantToTeach">Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach</h3><p>The first step after deciding you want to become a teacher is narrowing down the subject area or grade level you want to specialize in. Prospective teachers will need to choose between elementary, middle, or high school career paths before enrolling in a teacher preparation program to ensure they gain the right skills. </p><p>Regardless of your chosen grade level, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) recognizes three pathways for educator preparation: the aspiring educator, undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate pathways. </p><h4 id="section---BecomingAnElementarySchoolTeacher">Becoming an Elementary School Teacher</h4><p>An elementary school typically includes kindergarten through fifth grade. Elementary education varies greatly from grade to grade. For example, the requirements to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Kindergarten_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_Kindergarten_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">become a kindergarten teacher</a> are different than becoming a fifth-grade teacher. These differences include depth of information and the ability to teach different basic skills. </p><p>Students looking to become teachers at the preschool level will need to pursue an early childhood education teacher certification. </p><h4 id="section---BecomingAMiddleSchoolTeacher">Becoming a Middle School Teacher</h4><p>Middle school, which includes 6th through 8th grades, generally allows for more specialization than elementary school. These teachers often pursue an education minor with an undergraduate degree in a different subject matter, such as history, mathematics, or English. The middle school teacher educational requirements are similar to elementary education but include more diverse career opportunities based on subject matters. </p><h4 id="section---BecomingAHighSchoolTeacher">Becoming a High School Teacher</h4><p>Aspiring high school teachers will need to earn at least a bachelor's degree in a subject area but some teachers earn advanced degrees. High school teacher educational requirements are often more strict than at lower grade levels. Many high school teachers utilize the post-baccalaureate pathway that allows them to use their non-education degrees to prepare for a teaching certification program. </p><h3 id="section---Step2ChooseYourMajor">Step 2: Choose Your Major</h3><p>There are multiple majors that aspiring teachers can choose to prepare for certification exams. The best majors will vary primarily based on your desired grade level. </p><p>At the lower grade levels, teachers often pursue early childhood or general education degrees as their majors, with some adding a minor to focus on a specific subject. For middle and high school teachers, it is fairly common for educators to choose a major based on the individual subject that they hope to teach and then pursue an education minor. </p><h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourBachelorSDegree">Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree</h3><p>No matter which level of education you wish to pursue, all teachers in Louisiana need to hold at least a bachelor's degree. Even if you choose a non-education major, you'll still need to complete an LDOE-recognized educator preparation program. In addition to a bachelor's degree, students must complete 180 hours of student teaching or similar field experience. </p><h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3><p>Some teachers pursue master's degrees in education or their chosen subject area. There is no mandate from the LDOE to earn a master's degree to become a teacher; however, the biggest advantage of earning a master's degree for teachers is more advanced career opportunities. Graduate degrees can help teachers transition to other positions within their school district, including principal roles. </p><h3 id="section---Step5PassLouisianaTeachingExamsAndGainLicensure">Step 5: Pass Louisiana Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure</h3><p>Earning only a bachelor's degree doesn't meet all of the requirements to start your application process for education jobs. The LDOE requires that aspiring teachers pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam. </p><p>The Praxis exam has multiple options for teachers based on the grade level and subject area they plan to teach. This teaching credential is required for all teachers in K-12 roles, regardless of which LDOE pathway they pursue. After passing the Praxis, the final certification requirement is passing a federal criminal background check. </p><h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForTeachingJobs">Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs</h3><p>After you have earned your degree, it's time to start applying for teaching jobs. All teachers are required to have the same levels of degrees and certifications, so there are a few other steps you can take to help differentiate yourself from other applicants. Pursue online or in-person continuing education courses that allow you to gain additional competencies and skills to help bolster your resume. </p><h2 id="section---HowToChooseTheRightTeachingDegreeProgram">How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program</h2><p>The best way to choose a teaching degree program is to consider your long-term career goals. By identifying which type of teacher you want to be, you'll be able to figure out which boxes you'll need to check. </p><p>Consider factors like subject area and grade level that you want to teach to help plan out the best major to earn, the best Praxis exam to take, and if you're going to pursue any specializations, such as special education or physical education. </p><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutBecomingATeacherInLouisiana">FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in Louisiana</h2><p>Each state is allowed to set some of its requirements to become a teacher, so students in different states often have questions about their state's regulations. Some of the most common questions for aspiring teachers in Louisiana include questions about the differences in becoming a teacher in private and public schools, the different types of teachers, and how long it takes to become a certified teacher. </p><h3 id="section---WhatRequirementsAreNeededToBeATeacherInLouisiana">What Requirements Are Needed To Be a Teacher in Louisiana?</h3><p>There are a few main requirements to become a teacher in Louisiana. In chronological order, aspiring teachers must first earn a bachelor's degree with an education track or one that can directly lead to education. After completing your degree, you'll need to pass the appropriate Praxis exam for your career goals. Finally, you'll need to pass a background check to officially become certified. </p><h3 id="section---DoRequirementsDifferAtPrivateSchoolsAndPublicSchools">Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?</h3><p>The main requirements to teach at private and public schools are usually the same — including a degree, certifications, and passing background checks. Some private schools will have different requirements based on teaching style or religious affiliation, but even private schools are held to state Department of Education guidelines. </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheDifferentTypesOfTeachers">What Are the Different Types of Teachers?</h3><p>The types of teachers are primarily differentiated based on the grade level they teach; these include early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. The other types of teachers include more specialty roles, such as special education, physical education, and positions as teacher assistants. </p><h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToGetATeachingCertificateInLouisiana">How Long Does It Take To Get a Teaching Certificate in Louisiana?</h3><p>Earning a teaching certificate takes around a year, including a teaching residency and taking the exam. However, to qualify for student teaching positions and certification exams, learners must first hold a bachelor's degree, which takes an average of four years to complete. From the time you start college to the time you can apply for full-time teaching positions, it's about five to seven years. </p><h2 id="section---StartYourTeachingCareer">Start Your Teaching Career</h2><p>If you're looking to start your teaching career in Louisiana, read about schools that offer education degrees. Once you've reviewed our articles and school profiles, use our resources to request more information or begin your application process today.</p>