Out of all aspects of the school experience, teachers have the most impact on their . The right teacher can determine whether or not a student continues on in their studies and pursues higher education. Teachers prepare their students for professional life and for the complexities of adulthood. In other words, their students鈥� test scores barely scratch the surface of a teacher鈥檚 contribution and impact. It takes a special person to become a teacher. If you think you have what it takes to become a teacher, you may find yourself now wondering, 鈥淗ow long does it take to become a teacher?鈥� Read on to learn about the process and required timeline.
How Long Does it Take to Complete a Teaching Degree?
The process of becoming a teacher begins in a classroom. Before they stand at the head of their own classroom, future teachers must first complete a number of education requirements.
Bachelor鈥檚 Degree
Prospective teachers must earn, at minimum, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in order to be eligible for certification. Traditional bachelor鈥檚 degrees take four years to complete, meaning that at the very least, it takes four years of schooling to become a teacher. Those who want to teach elementary school-aged children should pursue a degree that provides them with an extensive knowledge base in a wide array of subject areas. Those who want to teach secondary school should pursue a degree in the subject they want to specialize (e.g. English Literature).
Master鈥檚 Degree
Teachers in Connecticut are required to eventually earn a master鈥檚 degree in order to maintain certification. For those who want to enter the teaching profession after earning their bachelor鈥檚 degree in an unrelated subject area, or who perhaps are changing careers, earning a master鈥檚 degree in Education is a great way to enter the field. Master鈥檚 degree programs also exist in certain areas of teaching, such as Elementary and Secondary Education. It is important to find a degree program that aligns with your career goals.
A traditional master鈥檚 degree in Education typically takes two years to complete. However, some schools offer fast-track options, such as the accelerated internship program at 51吃瓜网. This pathway takes one year (12 months) to complete.
Teacher candidates who are changing career paths may be concerned about making the transition into the classroom. Fortunately, all Connecticut teaching programs must provide their participants with field experience and training, as part of their degree. 51吃瓜网 provides students with the opportunity to complete a 14 week teaching residency under the direction of a trained and experienced teacher. As such, you鈥檒l receive the preparation you need to become a teacher, during the course of your studies.
Additional Certification Requirements
Upon completing their education and training requirements, teacher candidates must complete a variety of examinations in order to gain certification.
In Connecticut, future teachers must pass the Connecticut State Board of Education鈥檚 teacher assessment, known as the . The test is a performance-based, subject-specific test that assesses the knowledge and skills that prospective teachers possess. Candidates must create an instruction unit, prepare a 40-50 page portfolio of sample lessons, answer a variety of subject-specific prompts in the edTPA handbook, and submit all of these elements for professional approval. In addition to this requirement, prospective teachers must complete certification exams specific to the grade(s) and subject(s) they want to teach.
Elementary Education
Those who want to become certified elementary school teachers must pass the ETS Praxis II Elementary education test. Additionally, they must pass the Foundations of Reading Test.
Secondary Education
Future middle and high school teachers who want to specialize in a specific subject area must pass Praxis II exams in that subject. Examples of these tests include the Biology Content Knowledge, Chemistry Content Knowledge, English Language Arts Content and Analysis, and Social Studies Content Knowledge exams.
Teaching Certification: The Three Tiers
In Connecticut, there are three levels of teacher certification: Initial, Provisional, and Professional. New teachers must earn their Initial Certification before they can begin teaching. This can be done after four years in a bachelor鈥檚 degree program. This certification is valid for the first three years of a teacher鈥檚 career, giving them time to gain experience and prepare for their Provisional Educator Certificate. The Provisional Educator certificate may be earned after a teacher gains at least 10 months of experience and completes the TEAM Mentoring Program in Connecticut. Professional certification may be obtained after 30 months of teaching experience in a school environment.
To prepare for the teaching certification exams, candidates with a master鈥檚 degree can complete a short, sixth-year certification program. Learn about 51吃瓜网鈥檚 teaching certification programs here.
Timeline to Become a Teacher in Connecticut
For those who have yet to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree, the answer to the question, 鈥淗ow long does it take to become a teacher?,鈥� is simple: four years, to begin with. This is just the beginning of the educational journey you鈥檒l need to embark upon. Completing a master鈥檚 degree or post-baccalaureate certification option requires an additional time investment鈥攖ypically involving one to two years of graduate studies, plus 10 to 30 months of teaching experience.
Regardless of their route to the career, teachers in Connecticut are held to a high standard. They鈥檙e expected to complete graduate education, certification exams, and continuing education over the course of their career. So, in many ways, becoming a teacher is a life-long endeavor. However, all of this training prepares you to provide your students with an excellent education, both academic and practical.
Ready to begin your journey as a Connecticut educator? Learn more about how to become a teacher, here, in this free, downloadable guide.