Even those young adults who have recently graduated from high school are making the decision to enter education as their career path of choice because of the opportunities available.
There are several different routes that you can take to receive your teaching certificate, but you may want to explore the fast track option so that you can start working more quickly.
Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
In many areas of the country, you may be permitted to be a substitute teacher with a high school diploma or some college education. However, if you want to be a full-time teacher in most areas of the country, you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree.
At one time, it was necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree with a major in education or another related field as a prerequisite to pursuing your teaching certification. However, because teachers are in high demand in many areas of the country, there are now alternative paths available that will allow you to earn a teaching certification with a non-education major. However, you will still need to have a bachelor’s degree.
If you do not have a bachelor’s degree right now, you should explore the fast-track education options available to you. Explore degree plans that may allow you to most quickly earn a degree based on college courses that you have already taken.
Another option to consider is colleges and universities that will give you credit for real-life work experience. These two options as well as taking CLEP exams can provide you with the ability to earn a college degree more quickly.
Provisional Teaching License
In some states, teachers are in such high demand that the states are offering provisional teaching licenses. These are temporary teaching licenses issued to those who are actively pursuing a teaching certification.
They will allow you to work in a teaching or classroom position immediately while you continue to work on your education courses in your free time.
The provisional license is most often used in conjunction with an online teaching certification program or with a program that offers weekend and evening courses.
Alternative Licensing Programs
Many states also have an alternative licensing program available through the state’s department of education. These programs are made available through the National Center for Alternative Education, and they provide you with the ability to take the licensing exam for teaching right away.
The program in your state may require you to have a bachelor’s degree or to meet other education requirements as a prerequisite. Typically, those who qualify for this program and who pass the exam must work under the supervision of a licensed teacher for two years before they will become fully licensed.
The alternative or fast-track paths to earning a teaching certificate do vary by state, so it is important to review the options of the state where you are living closely. These requirements are most often posted online through the state’s department of education website.
If you will need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in order to earn a teaching certificate, consider exploring degree programs designed for non-traditional students that are now available through many colleges and universities.
With your effort spent researching these options, you may determine that you can begin working in the classroom as a teacher much more quickly than you may have thought!
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About the Author
Jason Tanner is a publisher blog author and education researcher - he's currently researching the most popular teacher certification program options online and how to make the most of digital classes.
