Wondering what Bachelor’s degree do you need to be a teacher? In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps it takes to embark on a teaching career, including what degrees you’ll need to meet the state’s requirements.
Surveys indicate that teaching is categorised as the ‘most preferred’ and ‘most respected’ occupation in the United States. In fact, teaching as a career choice comes with considerable perks. Educators enjoy much longer vacations, excellent job security, and retirement benefits. But perhaps the most crucial advantage is making a difference in students’ lives.
To become an educator, you’ll need stellar communication skills, a passion for passing on knowledge, lots of care, and patience. We all have a favourite teacher that inspired us during childhood. They might have taught us to read or write, but most importantly, we admired their flexibility and kindness. So if you aspire to be like them, here are your available degree options.
What Are My Teaching Degree Options?
Having a Bachelor’s degree, at the very least, is required by all public schools. If you already have a Bachelor's in another field, don’t worry; your previous education will not go to waste. In fact, you can apply for a master’s degree in education and still acquire all the hard and soft skills required to become an educator.
If you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, there are many different program options to pursue, depending on the teaching path you wish to follow. For example, there are programs focusing on early childhood education for those aspiring to teach at preschool or elementary school. However, if you want to teach a specific subject, such as science or history, it would be best to minor in those. So first, let’s review what Bachelor's degree do you need to be a teacher. Depending on the age and topic you wish to teach, you can narrow down your options to the following paths:
Early Childhood Education — This degree prepares you to work with kids in their earliest stages and usually refers to preschool and kindergarten. Courses in this field focus on child development and psychology, family dynamics, as well as health and safety of young children.
Elementary Education — If you wish to work with children during some of their most formative years, this degree prepares you as a multi-subject teacher in K-5 elementary classes. The course topics focus on learning theories, foundations of literacy, and classroom management.
Secondary Education — If the idea of working with children as they prepare for adulthood excites you, this degree will equip you with the skills to work in secondary education. Learn all about instructional methods, classroom technology, and educational psychology, and specialise in one or more content areas.
Special Education — Working with special-needs children requires tailored instruction and specialised educational practices. This degree will prepare you to support children with mild disabilities or profound special needs through curriculum adaptations and partnerships.
1. Elementary Education by University of Nevada
This four-year Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education will immerse you in the theories and pedagogies necessary for you to teach at an elementary school. Develop instructional plans, maintain a positive learning environment, and support children’s growth to excel as an elementary teacher. Then, get licensed as a K-8 teacher by the State of Nevada and start working immediately.
To get admitted to the program, you’ll need proof of English language proficiency and a GPA of at least 3. The tuition fees are 26.409 EUR/year, while the living costs in Las Vegas are estimated at around 906-1.473 EUR/month.
2. Adolescence to Young Adult Education by the University of Dayton
If you’re searching for what Bachelor's degree do you need to be a teacher in grades 7-12, this is the one for you. This Bachelor’s allows you to pursue in-depth studies in specific areas of concentration, such as science, mathematics, art, or social studies. It’ll also provide you with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) certificate.
Additionally, the program includes hands-on experience in student teaching, including supervision and evaluation, to help you grow as an educator. To get admitted, you’ll need proof of English proficiency. The annual tuition fees are 47.547 EUR, while the living costs at Dayton are estimated at 906-1.392 EUR/month.
3. Early Childhood (Level-Based) by the University of Michigan
If you intend to work with children from birth through 5th grade, this four-year Early Childhood (level-based) program from the University of Michigan is perfect for you. The program focuses on early childhood education, special needs, family and school collaboration, teaching strategies, and child maltreatment or trauma.
After graduating, you’ll be able to apply pedagogical knowledge and help develop young children. To get admitted, you need proof of English proficiency and a GPA of at least 2.5. The average tuition fees are 30.055 EUR/year, while the living costs at Dearborn are
1.030-1.545 EUR/month.
4. Adolescent Education by Pace University
For those wondering what Bachelor’s degree do you need to be a teacher, this four-year Adolescent Education program will allow you to teach middle and high school students in grades 7–12. Practice actual teaching using a virtual reality classroom simulator and profit from small group instruction. Additionally, receive hands-on experience in schools one day per week in your junior year and between 2-5 days during your senior year.
Interested in more? You can continue to the 5th year and specialise in Special Education, Literacy, and TESOL. To get admitted to the program, you need English language proficiency. The average tuition fees are 49.589 EUR/year, while the living costs in New York are estimated at 1.873-4.086 EUR/month.
5. Special Education by Kent State University
This four-year Special Education program from Kent State University prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities in non-school settings or become special education teachers. These disabilities include emotional and behavioural disorders, ADHD, autism, and hearing impairments. The program is structured around education psychology, applied behaviour analysis, and exceptionalities. Additionally, special educators might work with general teachers in academic settings or teach students in small groups in resource rooms.
To get admitted to the program, you need proof of English proficiency and a GPA of at least 2.75. The tuition fees are 22.222 EUR/year, while the average living costs at Kent are 1.067-1.761 EUR/month. Although becoming a special educator comes with its challenges, it also has its perks. Not only does it set you apart from general teachers, but it also increases your earning potential and opens new career paths.
Ready to Kick-start Your Career as a Teacher?
Hopefully, our guide on what Bachelor’s degree do you need to be a teacher will help you make up your mind on choosing your degree. As you can see, there are multiple ways to become a certified teacher and even more programs to specialise in your path of choice. So, depending on what teacher you want to be and how much time you’d like to invest in your teaching education, there’s something for everyone.
If you’re interested in exploring more Bachelor’s degrees in teaching, make sure to visit studyportals to browse hundreds of opportunities worldwide. No matter what path you choose, you’ll be on your way to becoming a stellar teacher, impacting the lives of others. We wish you good luck!
