How to Change Careers to Become a Teacher

9/4/2026

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If you're seeking a more fulfilling career, teaching might be your answer. But many career changers worry their backgrounds aren't education-related or wonder how long the transition will take. This guide will walk you through the process and help you find the right path to become a teacher.

What to Know Before Becoming a Teacher

The education field always needs new, passionate teachers. According to the Learning Policy Institute, 50 states plus D.C. reported teacher shortages. Nationwide, one in eight teaching positions remains unfilled or staffed by undercertified teachers.

Before you start your transition, understand that each state has different requirements for teacher certification, and many states offer alternative certification options.

Some states also offer teacher license reciprocity, which means your license from one state may transfer to another. The first step in pursuing teaching is to research the requirements in your state.

8 Steps to Transition Into Teaching

Your certification path will include earning a degree, completing student teaching, passing exams and meeting your state's specific requirements.

1. Get a Bachelor's Degree

Most states expect a bachelor's degree to teach, though it doesn't always have to be in education. Many accept degrees in other fields.

However, if you don’t have a degree in education, you'll need to complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass certification tests for your subject area. If you already have a bachelor's degree in any field, you may be able to move forward without earning a second degree.

Some programs accept transfer credits from your previous coursework. This can shorten the time needed to complete education-specific requirements. Online programs also offer flexibility for working adults who need to balance coursework with other responsibilities.

2. Complete Student Teaching

Teaching typically requires an approved teacher preparation program that includes both coursework and hands-on classroom experience. Student teaching allows you to practice under an experienced educator before you have your own classroom.

The University of Olivet offers alternative teacher certification programs for people who want to change their careers and become teachers in Michigan, including the Teaching Pathway program.

In this program, "participants gain practical classroom experience without the need for a traditional student-teaching semester. The program is designed to complement any major, allowing you to leverage your existing degree while preparing for a teaching career.”

Much of the coursework is completed online, but you still receive hands-on experience with kindergarten to grade 12 students. This option may appeal to career changers who need greater flexibility while completing the certification requirements.

3. Pass the Required Tests

You'll take subject-matter and pedagogical tests to demonstrate your competency in the content you'll teach. These exams also prove your understanding of teaching principles. The specific tests vary by state and subject area, so check your state's department of education website for details on which exams you'll need.

4. Get a Master's Degree

While you usually don’t need a master’s degree to begin teaching, requirements vary by state. Some states may require you to obtain one to maintain or advance your certification.

While educator requirements vary by state, you typically do not need a master’s degree to begin teaching. However, some states require additional education to advance your certification. In New York, for example, teachers with an Initial Certificate must complete an appropriate master’s degree, along with other requirements, to progress to a Professional Certificate.

You also need three years of teaching experience and 100 hours of professional learning every five years. Check your state's requirements to see whether and when a master's degree is required.

5. Background Check

All states require background checks for teachers, although when and how the screening occurs varies by state. In most states, a background check is part of the teacher licensure process, while some require it as part of the employment process. Requirements for fingerprinting and other forms of background clearance also vary by state.

6. Apply for State Teacher Certification

Every state requires teacher certification, though the application process and requirements are state-specific. You'll submit your completed coursework, test scores and other documentation to your state's department of education or certification board.

Texas State University, a public university in San Marcos, Texas, states that one of the requirements is an exam. If you fail, you can take the test again. "Candidates are allowed five attempts for each certification test and must request approval from the OEP for each attempt," it states.

7. Enter a Mentorship or Evaluation Program

Many states expect new teachers to complete a mentorship or evaluation program during their first years of teaching. Others offer these programs as alternative pathways to certification that allow you to teach while completing your coursework.

The University of Delaware, a public university in Newark, Delaware, describes the benefits of this model, stating, "Building on the medical residency model, this program gives students the opportunity to teach alongside an effective teacher-mentor in a high-need classroom as they engage in a carefully aligned sequence of academic coursework."

The mentorship model can make the transition smoother for career changers. It allows you to gain classroom experience while finishing your certification requirements.

8. Complete the Required Continuing Education Courses

Maintaining your teaching license means ongoing professional development. Most states mandate continuing education credits throughout your career. These courses help you stay updated on teaching methods, curriculum changes and educational best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Teacher

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about the path to teaching:

Can I become a teacher if my bachelor's degree isn't in education?

While most states require a bachelor's degree to teach, it doesn't have to be in education. By completing an alternative teacher certification program, you can change careers to become a teacher even if your degree isn’t in education. You'll need to complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass the certification tests for the subject area you want to teach.

Do I need a master's degree to start teaching?

You typically only need a bachelor's degree and your initial state certification to teach. However, some states, like New York, expect you to earn a master's degree. You may have five years from the date you receive your initial certification to complete it.

How do I get classroom experience?

Depending on the state, you'll complete either a traditional student-teaching internship or enter a mentorship program. Many states now offer alternative pathways for career changers. Teacher residency programs allow you to teach alongside an experienced teacher-mentor while you complete your coursework. This makes the transition much more seamless.

Your Next Steps Toward the Classroom

Changing careers to become a teacher is achievable with the right preparation and dedication. Your prior career experience makes you a valuable asset to students who benefit from diverse perspectives in the classroom. Research your state's specific requirements, explore program options that fit your schedule and take the first step toward your new career in education.

Have you ever seriously considered leaving your current career to become a teacher?

What attracts you most to a career in education?

What is your biggest concern about transitioning into teaching?

Would you consider an alternative teacher certification program?

Which skills from your current career could become strengths in the classroom?

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Your feedback is always appreciated.