How to Become a Teacher: Here’s a Step-by-Step Guide

How to Become a Teacher: 5 Steps to a Rewarding Career

1. Determine your career goals and research your options

Would your perfect workplace be a kindergarten classroom?

Do you dream of teaching history to high school juniors?

Are you a biologist looking to teach middle school science after years of working for a biotech firm?

Before applying to any teacher prep program, carefully research licensure requirements for the grade level you want to teach in the state where you’ll be teaching. Given each state has different requirements, certification can be tricky. You’ll want to know all your options before making a commitment.

Next, vet any program you seek. In Connecticut, teaching programs must be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Undoubtedly, you have other questions. How many years does it take to become a teacher? Am I eligible for financial aid? Can I learn as I earn?  How should I map out my path? Can I teach without a degree in education?

Go ahead and ask them! Learn more about Sacred Heart University’s CAEP-accredited teacher prep or educator programs by scheduling a virtual interview with undergraduate admissions or a virtual information session with graduate program counselors and faculty.

2. Enroll in an educator preparation program

What education do you need to become a teacher?

In Connecticut, and most other states, K-12 public school teachers must possess—minimally—a bachelor’s degree. For elementary educators, it’s helpful to have a liberal arts background and be versed in many subjects, such as English, math, science and social studies. At the secondary level, earning a degree in the subject you want to teach, such as English or biology, best prepares you for the classroom. Additionally, if you want to teach in public schools, you’ll need credentials—more on that later—and, in some states, including Connecticut, a master’s degree.

Educators often start out by obtaining an undergraduate degree in a teacher preparation program. This lets them earn a degree, engage in student teaching, prepare for exams and become licensed.

Given that Connecticut and other states, including New York, require public school teachers to have a Master of Arts in teaching degree, consider enrolling in programs that let you tack on an additional year to obtain your master’s degree. Sacred Heart’s five-year education and Bachelor’s-Master of Arts in teaching dual degree programs, provide incoming undergraduates with opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree, an initial teaching certification and master’s degree, while participating in a school-based residency their graduate year.

Alternatively, if you have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and want to teach in a K-12 public school, you can pursue a post-baccalaureate program.

One way to do this is through a master’s degree plus certification program, such as Sacred Heart’s Master of Arts in teaching with initial teacher certification, which trains future teachers for elementary (grades PK-6) or secondary education (grades 4-12), or SHU’s Master of Arts in teaching with initial teacher certification in special education, which prepares future educators to meet the needs of PK-12 students with exceptionalities. If your bachelor’s degree is in a subject that is different from what you want to teach, you may need to take additional classes before enrolling. A transcript review process as part of your application will help to determine that. You may also be able to take the praxis exam for your subject area to demonstrate content area expertise for your desired degree.

Take a look at all of SHU’s teacher education programs.

3. Gain experience through student teaching

Student teaching is a critical component of teacher preparation. You gain hands-on experience in a classroom setting under the mentorship of a licensed teacher.

You may have an option to earn as you learn with tuition-paid residency programs that combine coursework with intense clinical preparation. In addition to earning credits toward tuition, students earn a living stipend, complete their residency at a neighboring school district and serve the district upon graduation. Or you can gain experience through traditional residency programs that may come with tuition benefits.

These fieldwork experiences provide future teachers with opportunities to teach students with diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds.

4. Prepare for and pass assessments

You are almost there! The path to certification includes completing your degree program, engaging in student teaching and passing the Praxis exams and other assessments for your subject area and grade level.

In Connecticut, teacher certification candidates must complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam in reading, writing and mathematics or meet the requirements for a Praxis waiver as part of their application for admission to the teacher preparation program. Students are eligible for a Praxis Core waiver if they have an official score report for any of the following exams: SAT, ACT or GRE.

SHU also encourages students enrolling in the Master of Arts in teaching with initial teacher certification program to take the Praxis Subject Assessments prior to entering the program, as the exam focuses on the candidates’ command of content knowledge, rather than their teaching proficiency—which can help in determining the coursework needed and the amount of time it will take to earn a degree.

5. Apply for and earn certifications

You are steps away from leading your classroom. Once you are recommended for certification, you can apply to earn the designation.

Teaching certification requirements vary in the U.S., including specific education and experience needs, subject-area testing and background checks. If you want to teach in Connecticut, the CT teacher certification requirements begin with your initial certification, which is good for three years, followed by professional certification.

If you want to transfer your license to another state, you can work with that state’s department of education to comply with its requirements. Many students in SHU’s programs have transferred their licenses seamlessly.

Now’s the time to become a teacher

Students often see teachers as role models and mentors. Knowing your work matters is a reminder that what you are doing truly counts.

You’ll also be filling a great need. Right now, many U.S. public elementary and secondary schools are struggling to find certified teachers to fill positions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For the 2024-25 school year, many public schools reported a lack of qualified candidates as well as too few candidates for vacant positions.

With an advanced degree you can command a higher salary and open doors for more opportunities. The average teacher salary in Connecticut is $83,000, according to Teach Connecticut.

SHU prepares and promotes a diverse community of educators, whose work is grounded in professional knowledge, skills and dispositions in service to their students. Learn more by reaching out to Whitney Kolwicz, director of graduate admissions & recruitment, by phone at 203-365-4716 or by email. You also can schedule an appointment to learn more about SHU’s Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development. 

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