Do I Have to Student Teach to Become a Teacher?

If you're interested in becoming a teacher, you may be curious to learn more about the process. Specifically, you're wondering if you'll need to earn student teaching experience before earning your teacher certification.

Student teaching is typically a requirement to earn a teaching credential. Most teacher preparation programs require students to complete student teaching experiences. Even if your education degree program doesn't require student teaching, your state or preferred school district likely will.

It's important to understand local and state requirements to become a teacher and the experience required to graduate from your education program. Keep reading for more information.

What Is Student Teaching?

Student teaching is sometimes referred to as field experience. It is similar to an internship, in that, students enrolled in education degree or certificate programs gain hands-on experience through student teaching opportunities.

Student teachers work in classrooms under the supervision of certified teachers, putting into practice the skills they have learned as part of their degree program. They may have opportunities to create and implement lesson plans, gain experience with classroom management, and connect with students.

Student teachers receive ongoing feedback from the mentor teachers they work with. This helps them learn and grow in a real-world setting, potentially setting them up for success once they begin their teaching career.

How Long Does Student Teaching Last?

Each state and education program may have different requirements for student teachers. Generally speaking, most student teaching experiences last for at least part of one semester.

As a student teacher, you can expect the experience to last at least 12 to 16 weeks. Some programs and states may require student teachers to work an additional semester, while others may require up to two years of student teaching or related field experiences.

Is Student Teaching a Requirement to Become a Teacher?

Student teaching is not always required to become a teacher, but it is usually an essential part of state and school teacher requirements. Let's take a closer look.

Certification and State Requirements

Most states require aspiring teachers to complete a student teaching experience before receiving their teaching certificates. If you're unsure, check with your state's department of education to find out about the specific educational requirements for teachers.

Accreditation and University Requirements

Due to state and accreditation requirements, most schools offering education degrees include student teaching experiences as part of their coursework. Not only will you need to complete these experiences to graduate from your program, but you will likely also need them to pursue teaching licensure.

Are There Alternatives to Student Teaching?

Though student teaching is an essential part of most traditional paths to a teaching career, there are some exceptions. Depending on state and school policies, you may not need to complete student teaching experiences if you are eligible for the following options.

Residency Programs

If you already have a bachelor's degree in any subject area, you may be able to complete a teaching residency. These programs prepare prospective teachers for their careers while enabling them to earn a master's degree.

These programs typically last one year, during which time a resident works closely with an experienced teacher and takes evening or online classes toward their degree. After completing the residency, graduating teachers typically agree to work their first teaching job in an area with teacher shortages.

Alternative Certification Programs

Alternative teaching certification programs are any teaching programs that enable aspiring teachers to meet certification requirements without following a traditional path. These programs may or may not require student teaching experiences depending on state and local requirements.

Alternative certification programs typically set specific eligibility criteria and may draw heavily on aspiring teachers' previous experience. For example, those with extensive classroom experience as a paraprofessional may not be required to earn student teaching hours because of their work experience.

Provisional or Emergency Licenses

Some states and regions, especially those with extreme teacher shortages, may issue provisional or emergency licenses. Requirements vary, but some candidates who receive this license may not need to complete a teacher education program or even hold an undergraduate degree.

You may or may not need to have student teaching or observation hours to earn this type of degree. That said, you will likely still need to pass a background check and may need to complete specific certification exams.

Experiential Learning Credit

If you have any non-teaching educational experience, you may be able to become a teacher without completing student teacher requirements. Some states may award experiential learning credit to those with relevant experience, allowing them to earn their license without pursuing additional student teaching experience.

Experiential learning credit may also apply to teachers from out-of-state. This way, these teachers can gain the credentials to work in their new state without returning to college.

Benefits of Completing Student Teaching

Student teaching experiences provide many benefits. First and foremost, they allow students to get a feel for what it's really like to work as a teacher, giving them hands-on experience that will prepare them for their careers.

These experiences also provide opportunities for aspiring teachers to receive feedback on their teaching methods and mentorship from those with years of teaching experience. This helps them grow as professionals and prepare as much as possible before beginning their careers.

FAQs About Student Teaching

If you still have questions about completing student teaching as part of your teaching degree, you're not alone. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions you may have.

How Many Hours a Week Is Student Teaching?

Most student teachers work full-time hours during their appointment. They work five days a week, usually for the entire school day.

What Happens If You Skip Student Teaching?

Since student teaching is a requirement for most states and approved teacher preparation programs, skipping student teaching experiences can lead to various problems. You may not be able to graduate from your program or obtain your teaching license. You may also run into issues with teacher credentialing for specific subjects or grade levels. In other words, skipping student teaching experiences can delay your career or even prevent you from becoming a teacher.

Can I Get a Teaching License with a Bachelor's Degree?

Most states require aspiring teachers to earn at least a bachelor's degree to obtain a teaching license. Some states may require a master's degree for specific teacher specializations, such as special education or teaching specific subjects.

Though you can typically earn your bachelor's degree in any subject, an education degree is generally recommended. If you earn your degree in an unrelated field, you may have to complete additional education to fulfill licensing requirements in your state or district.

Is Student Teaching Mandatory for All Teaching Certification Programs?

Not every teacher certification program requires student teaching. As noted above, there are alternative routes to becoming a teacher, such as residencies and experiential learning credits, that don't require you to gain student teaching experience. That said, most traditional educational paths to becoming a teacher do require you to gain experience as a student teacher to graduate and earn your license.