You Can Become a Teacher Without an Education Degree━Here’s How
Updated January 31, 2025
Estimated read time: 5-7 mins
Highlights:
- What is a teacher certificate?
- Can you earn a teacher certificate without a degree?
- What are the requirements to receive a certificate?
- What are the best courses to take to become a teacher?
- What is student teaching?
- Can you earn the certificate online or part-time?
- How long does it take to complete the program?
- How much does it cost?
- How much can you earn with a teaching certificate?
- Can teacher certification be transferred state-to-state?
What is a Teacher Certificate?
If you’re passionate about becoming a teacher but lack a degree in education, a teaching certification program is your best option. A teaching certificate will provide the necessary coursework and student teaching experience to prepare you for state certification.
Can You Earn a Teacher Certificate Without a Degree?
Teacher certification can be earned as a graduate certificate credential. This means you do need to have a bachelor’s degree related to the field in which you intend to teach, but your degree does not need to be a bachelor’s in education.
What Are the Requirements to Receive a Certificate?
Specific requirements depend on each program but typically consist of coursework, in-classroom experience, and licensure exams. Our Teacher Certification Program requires you to hold a bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 30-credit hours in your intended teaching subject.
Requirements include completion of six courses and 80 hours of in-field work as well as student teaching. Once you’ve completed both coursework and student teaching, you will be competent in integrating Rhode Island Professional Teachers Standards in your practice and will be eligible for certification once you have achieved a passing score on the content-area Praxis exam.
What Are the Best Courses To Become a Teacher?
The best courses are those that prepare you for the specific grade levels and subject areas in which you plan to teach. Providence College’s part-time teacher certification program, for example, prepares adult learners to teach at the secondary level with courses that include:
- Principles of Secondary Education
- Educational Psychology
- The Accessible Secondary Classroom
- Teaching Literacy in the Content Area
- Educational Measurement
- Educational Methods
What Is Student Teaching?
Student teaching allows you to take what you’ve learned into the classroom and put it into practice. This opportunity gives you a firsthand look into what it’s like to be an educator and offers you experiences you can’t gain through coursework, like how to interact with students and manage a classroom. Student teaching responsibilities involve anything from lesson planning and student instruction to attending professional development seminars and more.
At PC, student teaching is a full-time, 12-week experience in the classroom. It is the final requirement ─ and only full-time component ─ of PC’s part-time teacher certification program. It is completed at one of our partner school across many school districts reflecting urban and suburban settings. The host teacher and a PC faculty member provide supervision and feedback throughout the experience.
Can You Earn the Certificate Online or Part-Time?
Yes, you can. The Teacher Certification Program is earned part-time and is tailored to the demanding schedules of working adults. Our courses are offered in the evenings, with some offered online or as hybrid courses. Some courses are held on campus and student teaching, the culmination of the program, is a full-time, 12-week experience within the classroom, grades 7-12, at a local school.
How Long Does It Take To Complete the Program?
PC’s teaching certification program is designed for working adults, meaning you can earn your certification at your own pace. With part-time course work and full-time student teaching, you can expect to complete the program in around 18 months.
How Much Does It Cost?
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, courses are $640 per credit, which equates to $1,920 per course and a total of $ 15,360 for the program. Students may also transfer up to 6 credits from prior education experience toward coursework, further reducing the cost.
How Much Can You Earn With a Teaching Certificate?
While the salary for those with a teaching certificate varies from state to state, you can expect to earn around the national average, which is $69,544. See the following sources for more details:
Can Teacher Certification Be Transferred State-To-State?
Yes, it can. Your teaching certification is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and can be used through partial or full reciprocity to achieve certification in at least 45 other states.
