Get Your Bachelor's Degree in EducationEverything you need to know about getting your bachelor's degree in education Guide to Education Degrees | All Education Articles & Resources | Find Education Schools A bachelor's degree in education is for students with a high school diploma, GED or associate's degree who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree. The majority of degree-holding early childhood education and elementary teachers graduate from a school of Education with a bachelor's degree in education. However, many secondary teachers major in their subject area and complete teaching requirements through special programs or by completing state teacher certification requirements concurrently with their bachelor's degree. See our article, "How to Become a Teacher," to learn about other degrees and teaching options. What to Expect from Your Bachelor's Degree in EducationMost programs take four years to complete at a traditional college or university. Your bachelor's degree in education will provide you with a broad liberal arts education, as well as a firm foundation of teaching knowledge and expertise. During your undergraduate experience, you will take many of the same prerequisites and larger lecture classes that most students take during your first two years, then you will specialize into upper-level education classes by the end of your college career. Education program curriculua stress both the content and pedagogy of teaching.
Using Your Bachelor's Degree in Education for Teacher CertificationGetting your bachelor's degree in education is the surest way to start your teaching career. Accredited colleges and universities today offer exceptional BA programs for prospective teachers and school employees that are tailored to meet state certification requirements. When you start your educational career with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, you are placing yourself on the fast track toward becoming a certified teacher. Teacher certification requirements vary by state (contact your State Department for your state's specifics), but nearly all state requirements are satisfied by a well-rounded undergraduate on-campus or online teaching degree. In a bachelor's degree education program, your minor course of study can easily become an endorsed subject for you—a subject in which you are certified as highly qualified to teach. For instance, you might pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a minor in math if you anticipate becoming a high school math teacher. After receiving your bachelor's degree and passing state or national certification requirements and a teaching exam, you will be certified to teach in your state. Post-Bachelor's CertificateMaybe you are interested in entering the teaching field but you already have a non-teaching bachelor's degree. A post-bachelor's certificate program is for you. These programs provide the opportunity to complete the required coursework and hands-on experience for your state's teaching credential. They take anywhere from ten months to two years to complete, depending on your previous degree and state requirements. Students must also pass a state or national teaching exam such as the PRAXIS to become fully licensed. Keep in mind, some states require teachers to hold a master's degree to meet state teaching requirements, so contact your state's Department of Education for specific information. Post-Professional CertificateIf you are an experienced teacher seeking professional development, salary advancement or licensure renewal, a post-professional certificate may be for you. Known in the education world as continuing education, post-professional certificate programs range from 8-unit credits to 30-unit credits in size. Some can be completed in one weekend while others may take a year to complete. Program prerequisites vary widely, but all offer opportunities to advance your teaching skills, experience and outlook. These classes do not generally lead to a master's degree in teaching; however, you should be aware of your school's accreditation in case you want to use the credits you receive toward an advanced degree in the future.  Related Article:
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