How To Become a Teacher in Montana 2025

It's not easy to become a teacher in any location; however, if you possess the eagerness to learn, earn a bachelor's degree, and complete a teacher certification, then this is your chance for a rewarding career path.

Teachers in Montana can earn a solid living by instructing a wide range of subjects, from basic mathematics and special education to high school physics and calculus. This article will show you the required steps to become a teacher in Montana.

Steps To Become a Teacher in Montana

It's important to know the primary requirements to become a teacher in Montana, a state that could use help in several school districts. Follow these six steps to make your pathway to the classroom much easier.

Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach

The quickest way to become a teacher is to determine which grade level you wish to teach as soon as possible. Ideally, you decide whether to become a kindergarten teacher, middle school teacher, or high school teacher early in your undergraduate education.

Becoming an Elementary School Teacher

The traditional route to teaching elementary school begins by earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education or a closely related specialization. This involves selecting a teacher preparation program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Finally, prospective teachers must gain teaching experience and pass licensing exams before applying for teaching positions.

Becoming a Middle School Teacher

The State of Montana does not offer a specific license for this grade level, but middle school teacher educational requirements carry the expectations as the other grade levels. You must obtain a bachelor's degree, pass certification exams or demonstrate content expertise, and accrue at least 14 hours of student teaching.

Becoming a High School Teacher

The high school teacher educational requirements include everything mandatory for K-8 teaching, plus more focus on specific content areas. Aspiring teachers at this level should expect to take Praxis II tests in every subject area they wish to teach.

Step 2: Choose Your Major

The major you choose should be in an education field, but it's possible to repurpose another college major into a teaching career after working in other career fields. Most K-6 teachers would benefit from majoring in elementary education, early childhood education, or childhood psychology.

You can also prepare yourself to teach at higher grade levels by majoring and minoring in a combination of teacher education content and a traditional subject area (e.g., mathematics, social studies, and physical education). So, although an education degree carries several advantages while searching for jobs, it's also wise to incorporate a minor in other subject matter, especially if that area has a shortage of teachers in Montana.

Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree

There are several options for obtaining a bachelor's degree, certification program, and other essential credentials in Montana. You can attend accredited institutions, like the University of Montana, Montana State University, and the University of Montana Western, to receive quality training for new teachers.

You should explore which of these you wish to attend after finalizing the grade level you wish to pursue. Some universities focus more on professional development and training in secondary education, whereas others specialize in early childhood education. Some of these universities also offer the chance to complete your bachelor's degree along with an advanced degree simultaneously.

Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree

You can continue with advanced coursework by getting a master's degree online or at one of Montana's accredited universities. This involves a deeper exploration of educational concepts, theories, and strategies than undergraduate teaching programs. Many future teachers obtain master's degrees right after their four-year degrees, but it's also common for aspiring career changers to use this as their way to get into the teaching career field.

It takes about two years of full-time study to complete either a Master of Teaching (MAT) or a Master of Education (MEd). However, you can finish this degree faster by enrolling in an accelerated degree program, where undergraduate students begin taking master's education courses while still completing their bachelor's degrees.

Step 5: Pass Montana Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) governs the state's licensing for teachers at all grade levels. Montana has a somewhat complex licensure system consisting of eight license classes. These include provisional licensing, permanent licensing, licensing for teachers who haven't completed a teacher preparation program, and even ones for Native-American-speaking educators.

If you have teaching experience and obtain a master's degree in a suitable field, especially an in-demand subject, you can earn a Class 1 Professional License. All license classes require teachers to demonstrate competency in their intended teaching areas. You can do this by maintaining at least a grade point average (GPA) or 3.0 in your academic major/minor, or by passing teacher praxis exams in Montana.

Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs

There are several ways for certified teachers to locate jobs in either public or private schools. The most important place to begin is to check out job announcements on the Montana OPI website. It allows teachers to search for positions by subject, location, grade level, and application deadline.

You can also find other opportunities for full-time or part-time jobs at Teach in Montana, a teacher recruitment portal established by the Montana Rural Education Association. The organization lets you sign up to receive frequent job alerts for exciting new roles as they become available. It's always smart to begin your job search as early as possible to have the best chance of securing employment in time for a new school year.

How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program

Selecting the most appropriate teaching degree program will depend on what and where you would like to teach. Certain high schools and private schools will only hire candidates with specific degrees (i.e., elementary education).

It's very common for special education teachers to concentrate on that area during college, through educator preparation courses, and throughout the certification process. Finally, you can explore Montana's other teaching and learning programs by visiting its Department of Education web portal, which features a Teacher Learning Hub for various training purposes.

FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in Montana

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to teaching in Montana. This elaborates more on certification requirements, how fast you can get a teaching license, and the realities of teaching in public versus private schools.

What Requirements Are Needed To Be a Teacher in Montana?

All teachers must possess a four-year degree, demonstrate competency in their intended subject matter, gain experience through student teaching, and pass a background check. Many aspiring high school teachers will supplement these requirements with various endorsements or earn a master's degree to give themselves better employment prospects.

How Fast Can You Become a Teacher in Montana?

The traditional route to becoming a teacher takes about four years, assuming you complete your academic coursework, work on student teaching hours, and other requirements while finishing your undergraduate degree. Otherwise, it may take up to five years to qualify for a teaching license.

Some candidates obtain their teaching credentials faster by completing their degrees within three years, which usually requires summer school or testing out of general education classes.

What Are Some Perks of Becoming a High School Teacher in Montana?

Teaching high school students can be a rewarding experience anywhere, but perhaps even more so in a state with stable job growth. Since Montana has teacher shortages in certain areas, forcing districts to devote resources to recruitment, you should have less trouble finding a job if you work hard to develop basic skills, master your content area, and build experience.

Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?

There are generally fewer requirements to get a job teaching in private schools. Some private high schools may be more open to accepting teachers with out-of-state licensure, whereas public schools have to follow stricter state mandates for licensing reciprocity. Also, although interest in private school education may be increasing among parents in Montana, there is still much competition among veteran teachers for these roles.

Explore Online Education Programs

It's time to find the right online education program to jumpstart your teaching career. Learn.org has plenty of information on how to do that in Montana or anywhere else in the U.S.