What Are the Teaching Degree Requirements?

Do I need a bachelor's degree in education to become a teacher?

No. Public-school teachers generally need at least a bachelor’s degree, but it does not always have to be in education. The required preparation and license depend on the state and the grade or subject you plan to teach.

For public high school teaching, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says all states require at least a bachelor’s degree. State licensure requirements generally include a degree, student teaching, a background check, and general and subject-area tests. Teacher education programs typically include supervised classroom experience with a mentor teacher.

The distinction matters: a bachelor’s degree is an academic credential, while licensure is state authorization to teach in a defined area. TEACH.org explains that a college or university awards the degree, whereas the state awards the teaching certificate or license. Completing coursework can therefore be necessary without being sufficient; candidates must also satisfy the state’s certification requirements.

Can I teach with a bachelor's degree in a different subject?

Yes. A bachelor’s degree in another subject can be a route into teaching, but it usually must be paired with teacher preparation that meets state rules. For high school, many states require a major in the subject area, such as mathematics or science, while alternative certification routes may serve candidates who have a degree but lack education coursework.

Elementary teaching has a different emphasis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says public kindergarten and elementary teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, but people with a bachelor’s degree in another subject can qualify by completing a teacher education program. In both cases, the useful question is not simply whether a degree is accepted; it is whether the full pathway qualifies you for the intended license.

Alternative routes do not mean one nationally uniform shortcut. The U.S. Department of Education’s Title II reporting explains that states define alternative routes and that they vary by state. TEACH.org likewise notes that changing subjects may require additional coursework. If you are comparing routes, establish the intended grade and subject first, then assess whether the program’s curriculum and supervised practice align with that licensure area. For a related overview, see Do I Need an Education Degree to Become a Teacher?

What degree do I need to teach elementary school versus high school?

Both pathways generally begin with a bachelor’s degree, but the preparation and license area differ by grade level and subject. Elementary preparation is typically broad and centered on elementary education; secondary preparation often connects a subject-area degree to teaching methods for the relevant content.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a typical entry-level education of a bachelor’s degree for kindergarten and elementary teachers. For high school teachers, it notes that many states require a major in the content area and that secondary certification typically covers grades 7–12, although state rules determine the actual license and grade span.

These are typical patterns, not a substitute for state rules. The same degree may fit one license pathway and fail to meet another if the subject coursework, grade coverage, or required practice differs.

Do teaching degree requirements vary by state?

Yes. State departments of education set teacher certification and licensing requirements, and requirements can vary by state, grade, and subject. The U.S. Department of Education states that there is no certification program accepted in every state; some states offer reciprocity for credentials earned elsewhere, but candidates should confirm eligibility with the destination state.

Before enrolling, use this sequence:

1. Identify the target license. Specify the state, grade range, and subject you want to teach.
2. Check state approval. Ask the state education department whether the institution and specific program are approved for that license area.
3. Confirm each requirement. Verify coursework, supervised student teaching, required general and subject tests, and background-check rules.
4. Ask how completion leads to application. Confirm what documentation the program provides and what steps remain for the state license.
5. Recheck if you may move. Reciprocity can exist, but it is not automatic or universal; ask the destination state about its rules.

The Department of Education’s Title II state reports can help identify teacher-preparation providers and state-reported information. Its 2025 report lists 2,219 providers and 25,611 programs, while noting that a provider is an institution or organization offering at least one state-approved teacher-preparation program. That scale makes program-level verification more useful than relying on a college’s general claim that it offers a teaching degree.