There are few jobs more rewarding than being a teacher. In fact, a recent study found that teachers are among the most satisfied in their work life. You get to educate young minds, help shape a future generation of learners, and connect with your students.
And, there is plenty of opportunity for people with teaching degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average high school teacher salary was $62,870 per year as off 2020, and the BLS projects a 3% to 4% growth for teachers over the next decade.
If you want to pursue the field of education, getting a bachelor's degree in teaching from one of the best colleges for teaching degrees can be your first step to starting your teaching career.
Bachelor's in Teaching Degree Overview
Earning a bachelor's degree in teaching from one of the top colleges for teaching degrees prepares you to obtain a K-12 teaching license. An education degree from an online college for teaching degrees typically requires 120 credits, which most full-time students complete in four years.
Curricula often include student teaching, a practicum, or an internship, during which you'll observe and assist a licensed educator in a classroom setting. Earning a bachelor's in teaching can be ideal for individuals who enjoy working with children and explaining complicated concepts in easily digestible ways.
A degree in education often leads to a career as a K-12 educator. However, you can also pursue roles as a guidance counselor, admissions counselor, instructional coordinator, librarian, and childcare director. Some positions require additional education or experience.
A bachelor's degree in computer programming prepares students for in-demand careers in the technology sector. Jobs in Software as a Service (SaaS) offer strong growth potential. Programmers who specialize in SaaS applications design code that works on multiple platforms. Some programmers specialize in fields like business, healthcare, or accounting.
Bachelor's programs in the field also prepare you to pursue graduate studies in education-related areas. Many educational administration positions require at least a master's degree. As a doctorate-holder, you can become a university professor who teaches future educators and conducts research on learning and education.
Top Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Degree Requirements
Degree and graduation requirements for a bachelor's degree in teaching will vary depending on the school that you attend. That said, there are standard requirements you can expect from a program like this.
According to the Brookings Institute, education majors including those seeking their teaching degree have an average SAT score of 1060 out of 1600. As for GPA, studies have found that education majors have a higher than average grade point average. On average, these students have a GPA of 3.36.
To graduate, you can expect to take about 120 credits in order to graduate with a teaching degree. You may also have to complete student teaching requirements or other capstone projects to graduate with this degree.
Job Outlook & Salary
Your earning potential depends on factors including geographic location, experience, and job title. Overall, K-12 teachers benefit from astable income and projected job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high school teachers earned a median annual salary of $61,660 in 2019, and the BLS projects high school teaching positions to increase 4% from 2018 to 2028. The BLS reports that kindergarten and elementary teachers earned a median annual salary of $59,420 in 2019 and middle school teachers earned a median salary of $59,660.
The BLS projects a 3% job growth for both elementary and middle school teachers from 2018 to 2028. Salary potential often corresponds with the area's cost of living. According to data from the BLS, teachers in New York, California, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and Connecticut earn the highest annual mean salaries.
Additionally, teachers at private schools often earn higher salaries than educators at public schools. Experience also impacts earning potential. According to PayScale data, entry-level teachers with less than one year of experience earn an average annual salary of $44,151, while educators with 10-19 years of experience earn an average salary of $53,587 per year. Individuals with a bachelor's in teaching can also pursue roles outside of K-12 education. Graduates may work in childcare facilities or as curriculumspecialists or private tutors.
| BOTTOM 10% | MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY | TOP 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $39,020 | $59,670 | More than $97,900 |
Source: BLS
| BOTTOM 10% | MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY | TOP 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $40,540 | $61,660 | More than $99,660 |
Source: BLS
Accreditation for Teaching Programs
Accreditation serves as quality assurance for educational programming. The two main types of accreditation in the United States are regional accreditation and national accreditation. Regional accreditation requires institutions to meet more rigorous standards than national accreditation, which typically applies to vocational or professional programs. If you're pursuing a bachelor's degree in teaching, you should only consider accredited schools and programs.
Accrediting agencies evaluate schools and programs based on set criteria. In addition to institutional accreditation, you can look for field-specific accreditation of individual programs. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredits teaching and education programs and provides a searchable database of nationally recognized programs.
Career Path for Teaching Degrees
While the obvious career path for you after earning your teaching degree is to become a teacher, there are actually quite a few other career paths that you can choose from if you earn this degree.
You can opt to go into more specialized fields that fall under the teaching umbrella, like special education or early childhood education. You could also start a career as an education administrator, though this typically requires a master's degree to pursue.
Teaching degrees are also great starting points for school counseling or social work, though these will also require continuing education in order to specialize in these fields.
Certifications and Licensure for Teachers
Public school teachers must hold licensure and may need a teaching certification. Licensure and certification requirements vary by state. However, most states require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in education or a related discipline, have completed a certain number of student teaching hours, and have passed a licensing exam such as the Praxis. If you'd like to become an educator in some specialties, you'll need amaster's degree.
Many states maintain reciprocity agreements, which allow licensed teachers to easily obtain credentials in another participating state. However, some transfer agreements only offer a provisional license and require teachers to obtain licensure in the new state within a set time period.
In addition to earning licensure, you can obtain certification to teach a certain subject or work with a specific population. Common certifications include early childhood, elementary, middle grades, and special education. The requirements for obtaining these credentials also vary by state but may overlap with licensing requirements.
Early Child Education Certification
Special Education Certificate
Middle Grade Certification
Related Degrees
While a teaching degree is a great way to get started in the education field, there are other related degrees that you can also pursue to specialize in different areas or to transition into another related career. These include:
Education Administration
If you'd like to be in the education field but may not want to teach in the classroom, consider a degree in education administration. A job as a principal or in another administrative role will often pay more than being a teacher, according to BLS, though growth in the field is slower, so there may be fewer opportunities available.
School Counseling
School counseling offers an opportunity to work in schools and help students without teaching in the classroom. The median salary is lower than that of the average high school teacher, though there is expected to be an 8% growth over the next decade, according to BLS, which is much higher than the national average.
Social Work
Social workers often work with schools to help with students who have behavioral issues or may be dealing with trouble outside of school that is affecting their performance. Social workers make a similar salary as school counselors, and BLS expects a massive 13% growth in the field over the next decade, meaning there will be lots of opportunities to find work.
Courses in Teaching Degrees
A bachelor's degree in teaching typically requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete. You will develop the skills necessary to design courses, teach specific subjects, work with a particular population, and assess and evaluate students. Curricula often include student teaching experiences or opportunities to work as a teaching assistant. During experiential components, you will gain practical teaching skills while assisting a licensed educator.
Each program features unique courses, concentrations, and practicum or student teaching requirements. You should select a program that aligns with your career aspirations. For instance, if you want to work with students who have disabilities can consider programs with a concentration in special education. Below are a few courses common to many bachelor's programs in teaching.
Classroom Management This course teaches students how to manage classrooms effectively. You can learn about student behavior, classroom preparation, and disciplinary procedures and models. You'll explore theories and best practices behind establishing classroom expectations and fostering productive learning environments.
Assessment of Children This introductory course explores assessment strategies used to evaluate and improve student learning, particularly in young children. Coursework covers assessment practices, developmental screenings, and standardized tests. You may also prepare to assess students with special needs and those from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Literacy Instruction This class provides an overview of basic instructional techniques, language acquisition and development, learning theory, and approaches to literacy instruction. You will explore topics including language acquisition in the classroom, vocabulary development, writing development, and classroom management for literacy instruction. You will also prepare to teach reading, language, and culture in the classroom.
Science Curriculum This course helps you develop teaching and classroom leadership skills. Coursework covers the latest research, theories, and practices in science instruction. You will develop an understanding of barriers to learning and prepare to address such barriers. You will learn how to promote scientific reasoning and motivate students to learn the subject matter.
Teaching English as a Second Language This course provides an overview of teaching English as a second language (ESL). You will study the basic principles of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. This course includes a historical survey of the ESL teaching discipline, and students explore instructional materials and strategies for encouraging language learning among ESL students. You will gain an understanding of theories related to language learning and acquisition and prepare to apply those theories in classroom settings.
Specializations in Teaching
Education students often specialize in teaching a specific student population or subject matter. You can begin to specialize as early as your bachelor's studies. Some institutions offer separate education majors, each focused on a specific area. Common specializations for teaching students include elementary education, biology education, special education, English education, and social studies education. Other schools allow you to minor in a teaching subject or student population. In addition to coursework, students pursuing a specialization must typically complete student teaching in their focus area.
Learners in teaching bachelor's programs often choose from specializations including early childhood education, middle school core subjects, language arts education, mathematics education, and bicultural-bilingual studies.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Teaching Students
How Can a Master's Student Pay for College?
Bright Futures Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports students enrolled part time or full time in an early childhood education program. Applicants must be attending an accredited U.S. institution and must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and experience working with children age six or younger.
Amount: $250-$1,000
Deadline: Varies
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Who Can Apply: African American, Indian American, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships
Who Can Apply: These scholarships support education students who intend to teach scholastic journalism. Candidates must be either an undergraduate junior or senior or a master's student in a teaching program that prepares them to teach at the secondary level.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 15
Edward G. and Helen A. Borgen Elementary and Secondary Teacher Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The Edward G. and Helen A. Borgens Elementary Teacher Scholarship is a one-time preferred amount of up to $1,500 awarded to one student who is 25 years of age or older. Applicants must be studying to teach at the elementary school level and must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be at least a college sophomore, and attend or plan on attending an accredited college or university.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: Varies
Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarships
Who Can Apply: Candidates must be minority students and residents of Illinois. Learners must be enrolled in or accepted to a program that prepares students to teach preschool, elementary, or secondary school in Illinois.
Amount: Up to $5,000 per year
Deadline: March 1
Financial Aid for Teaching Students
You can apply for funding options including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. You should complete the FAFSA form to determine which types of federal aid they are eligible to receive. You may qualify for subsidized or unsubsidized loans. For subsidized loans, the Education Department pays interest on the loan while you are enrolled at least part time. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest immediately, with you bearing the entire responsibility for paying interest.
You can also apply for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant. The TEACH grant awards up to $4,000 per year to students who plan to teach in a high-need subject or a low-income area. You must be enrolled in a TEACH-eligible program, and recipients must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA throughout their studies.
