By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Irene Abrego Nicolet, PhD, NCSP, LSSP, Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Becoming a teacher requires more than earning a degree. Aspiring teachers need three things: a bachelor’s degree, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program and a state teaching license. How you get there depends on where you are right now.
If you’re a first-time student, you can enroll in an undergraduate education program. Already have a bachelor's degree but not in education? Many states offer alternative certification routes that let you pursue licensure if you already have a degree in another field.
If you’re a paraprofessional or coming from a different industry, your next step is typically completing a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved preparation program.
Explore how degree requirements differ by teaching level and how to confirm your state licensure criteria before choosing a program.
Typically, K–12 teaching roles start with a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program. After completing these requirements, you must apply for and obtain a state license to teach in a public school. The route you take depends on your starting point.
Your current qualifications shape which path makes the most sense. Before selecting a program, confirm what your state expects so your choice aligns with licensure standards. Not all programs lead to initial teacher licensure, so check whether your program supports the pathway you plan to pursue.
You can explore Capella’s online education programs and review state licensure disclosures.
States group teaching licenses by grade bands, such as elementary, middle or high school. Your preparation program and coursework should align with the age group and subject you want to teach. Before choosing a pathway, identify your preferred grade band.
Elementary teachers cover multiple subjects, so preparation emphasizes reading, writing, early math, child development and classroom management. For example, an aspiring elementary teacher may complete a preparation program that emphasizes literacy development and foundational math instruction.
After earning an initial elementary license, some teachers choose to add a specialization, such as special education.
Your pathway to elementary school teaching may differ depending on your starting point:
Many states require middle school teachers to specialize in a subject such as math or science. Others expect a focus in English, history or another core area. Some states, however, offer a generalist middle grades license that allows you to teach more than one subject. Before selecting a program, confirm your state’s requirements, as they directly affect your coursework.
For example, if you want to teach seventh-grade math, you may need a math endorsement rather than a generalist middle grades license.
Preparation programs at this level focus on adolescent development, a deeper study in your teaching field and classroom management.
Your pathway to middle school teaching may differ depending on your starting point:
High school teaching focuses on a specific academic discipline. Teachers specialize in one subject, and most states require a defined number of college credit hours in that field, along with a state-approved teacher preparation program and licensure.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in the subject you plan to teach, such as English, your next step is completing an approved teacher preparation program and passing the required licensing exams.
After earning licensure and gaining classroom experience, some educators choose to pursue graduate study to deepen their expertise. For example, Capella’s Master of Science (MS) in Education offers specializations such as:
Capella’s MS in Education is available in the GuidedPath learning format and gives you 24/7 access to the course room, structured pacing and regular feedback so you stay on track without putting your life on hold.
Capella programs are not designed for initial teacher licensure, so confirm state requirements before you enroll.
Your pathway to high school teaching may differ depending on your starting point:
If you want to teach students with special needs, you can add special education certification to your existing license. In some states, however, special education requires a full program or a standalone licensure track.
As a special education teacher, you’ll work with individualized education programs (IEPs), targeted instructional strategies and documentation required under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to monitor and support student progress.
Your students will have unique needs, and you’ll need the skills to meet each one. Capella’s MS in Education, Special Education Teaching specialization is designed to support advanced skill development for licensed educators. Aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) advanced preparation standards, the program combines coursework with applied learning experiences and mentorship to strengthen practical skills. While the specialization can support professional skill development, endorsement and certification requirements vary by state.
Teaching pathways follow a structured sequence that includes selecting your license area, completing a state-approved preparation program, fulfilling supervised classroom experience and meeting testing requirements.
Although requirements vary by state, you can use the steps below as a general planning guide and confirm specific criteria with your state education agency before enrolling in a program.
Select your grade band and subject area.
Your license category determines the coursework you need, the exams you’ll take and the preparation program you enroll in.
Review how your state defines elementary, middle and secondary licensure categories before choosing a degree or preparation pathway.
Your next step is finding a state-approved teacher preparation program that fits your academic background and meets your state’s licensure requirements. The section below explains how to confirm whether a program is approved in your state.
Consider qualification timelines, required exams and supervised classroom hours when narrowing your choice.
This is where theory becomes practice. You’ll spend time in a real classroom, working directly with students under the guidance of an experienced teacher or university supervisor.
With Capella’s education programs, you’ll engage with applied learning activities and classroom-based scenarios designed to help you analyze instructional strategies and student needs. Applied learning is woven into your coursework so you’re ready long before practicum begins.
The final step involves passing required exams, clearing a background check and submitting your licensure application through your state education agency. Review testing deadlines and documentation steps early so nothing delays your application.
However, if you’re applying to private schools, check their credential expectations directly since hiring rules can differ from public school licensure requirements.
Before you choose a program, take a few minutes to confirm what your state requires. Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
Remember that requirements vary by state and can change. Always verify directly with your state education agency before committing to a program.
Most teaching careers start with a bachelor’s degree, along with a state-approved teacher preparation program and a teaching license. The key is choosing a pathway that aligns with your state’s expectations and the role you want.
Once you’ve matched your goal to the right route, the next steps are straightforward. Complete the required training, meet state requirements and apply for your license.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to build education skills through graduate study, explore Capella’s MS in Education options.
A bachelor’s degree in education is often the most direct path. It builds in teacher preparation and gets you classroom-ready at graduation. If you already have a bachelor’s in another field, a post-bachelor certification or an alternative route can get you there without starting over.
It depends on what you want to teach. Elementary teachers typically pursue a bachelor’s degree in education. Middle and high school teachers often major in their subject area, such as math, science or language arts, and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
Many states require a four-year bachelor’s degree to teach in public K–12 schools. There is no two-year degree that leads to full teacher licensure. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, an alternative certification program may take one to two years to complete. An associate degree alone is not sufficient to become a licensed teacher.
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