Teaching Career Courses, Certification and Training

The pre-requisite for most teacher careers is a basic bachelor’s degree.  Even this can be overlooked in the case of preschool teachers or vocational teachers, where experience gains over qualifications.  You can opt for traditional education programs for kindergarten and elementary schools which include courses designed specifically for teaching.  The subjects for such courses include Mathematics, English and Physical Science along with teaching methodology, philosophy of education and other teaching-related subjects.  This training would help you to become a good primary school teacher.

Secondary school teachers have to specialize in the subject they want to teach.  This must also be supplemented by a program in teacher preparation.  If you have opted for a 4 year Undergraduate course, then most Universities permit you to join a Teacher Education program, after the completion of the sophomore year.

Teacher education programs are accredited by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.  Though a degree from these institutes is not mandatory, it helps in fulfilling the licensure requirements.  The pre-requisite for qualifying for these programs is a bachelor’s degree in a subject of your choice.

Teacher education programs help in preparing you for a class room situation.  Most States offer Professional Development Schoolswhich are basically a partnership between the University and the elementary or secondary schools.  They help in integrating theory with practice.  Most of these programs require students to take on a student-teaching internship.  This gives the students a first-hand experience of practicing their teaching skills under professional guidance.

To be a public school teacher in any of the 50 States or District of Columbia it is mandatory to be licensed.  However, this is not a requirement in most of the private schools.  The licensure is generally granted by the State Board of Education or a Licensure Advisory Committee.

The requirement for granting licensure varies from State to State.  The basic qualification to teach a subject however, is a bachelor’s degree.  This has to be in addition to an approved teacher training program.  One can also opt for alternate licensure programs offered by different States.  This process makes taking up teaching as a profession that much easier for individuals.