How long should i expect to go to school before i can become a teacher?

Question

I'm finally getting my life back on track after having my son and was just wondering how long it will take me and what degrees i need to become a teacher? i have to education beyond high school, but i did graduate. i most likely want to teach in the elementary level. Any help will ease my mind right now bcuz ppl are telling me it takes forever but jeez im only 22 if i can be a full time teach by 30 thats a accomplishment to me... thanks

Answer 1

with a little one, expect to spend 5-6 years in classes.  it's a 4 year degree, so you could do it in 4, but i have a 1 year old son of my own and i know how hard it would be for me to go to school full time, work, and take care of him and my house.  that time includes your student teaching.  then there are some tests you have to take, but most of those are generally already required for acceptance into teacher cert programs at your college.  it won't take forever...it just might seem like that sometimes though.  if you start now, you should be done and in your own classroom before you're 28...if you work really hard, you can be there by 26!

an alternative is to go to school and get your associates degree and transfer to an accellerated program.  i finished my program in 3 semesters, including student teaching.  those classes meet one night a week, and you only take one class at a time...they meet for 4-5 weeks, and then you're done!  

your best bet at this point would be to go into special education if you'd like to keep a job.  that is the area of highest need, followed by math and science.

good luck, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Answer 2

To be a highly certified teacher (according to NCLB standards) you need to earn your BA and apply for your teaching certificate (which your college will do on your behalf after completing an accredited program with your state's Department of Education). How long this takes you to get is simply up to your work ethic but most people take four years to complete their course work and student teaching.

After you have received your BA, you will have a certain number of years to complete your Master's degree. Each state is different (Maryland is 7 years, Virginia is 5 years) so you have to check with your Department of Education.

You will also need to complete the testing required to become a teacher (usually the PRAXIS exams).

Answer 3

No you only need a Bachelor's degree. But it's a special curriculum including being an Assistant Teacher one semester.

Check out your nearest college offering a Education degree/Teacher Certification Program

Answer 4

4 years if you go full time without failing a class.  

You can do it!!!

good for you!

Answer 5

You'll have to spend 3-5 years in a university to get a BA degree (depending on how hard you work). Then you'll need another year or two to obtain a teaching credential in the state you want to teach in. You might not get a full time position quickly because of the massive education funding cutbacks the government has done, but you can always start as a substitute teacher and work your way into a permanent position.

If you're going to teach elementary, you need a BA in liberal arts.

Middle/Jr. High/High School requires a BA in the subject you want to teach.

Teaching community college/university level requires at the very least a Master's degree if not a Doctorate in your subject.

Answer 6

no no no... people..

it always depends... I wanted to be a programming teacher...

that requires a doctorates degree, witch is like 9 to 11 years...

because you have to know EVERYTHING about what you're teaching..

if you want to teach at a school.. its just a bachelors degree 4 years.. unless you want a good job, and right away.. and get a masters degree 7 years.. and they pay a lot more for people with higher degrees