teaching pathways

Find Your Path to Becoming a Teacher

Teaching is a calling, and the path to the classroom looks different for everyone. Whether you’re just starting your journey, switching careers, or advancing your qualifications, we’re here to help you determine the best pathway for your goals and current situation. Let’s explore the steps to make your teaching dreams a reality!

Which Path to Teaching is Best for Me?

I Want A Standard/Regular Teaching Certificate

Teaching is a very rewarding profession. Very few professions impact the future of our world like teaching.
MACU has several degree options from which you can choose to earn your teaching certificate:
If field experience is an obstacle for you, the School of Teacher Education recommends you pursuing a B.A. in Educational Studies. This degree will allow you to complete your degree in three years and prepare you for the certification process.

How Do I Get A Bachelor’s Degree That Will Let Me Get a Degree in my Teaching Field?

Select a teaching degree at MACU:
- Early Childhood Education (Pre-K-3rd grade)
- Elementary Education (1st-8th grades)
- Secondary Education (6th-12th grades)
  - Math
  - Social Studies
  - English
Complete the 4-year Bachelor’s Degree and complete the subject area tests and the PPAT (portfolio type of assessment) for teacher certification.
Talk to the MACU School of Teacher Education about the Inspired to Teach program.

I’ve Been Hired as a Teacher, but I’m Not Certified

Your district will request from the State Department of Education for you to be emergency certified so you are eligible to teach as soon as is possible.
Once emergency certified, you will proceed with the alternative certification path.
The MACU School of Teacher Education can make this process easier for you by guiding and advising you through the process.

I Want to Teach, but Can’t Complete Field Experience or Student Teaching

If you are currently teaching or working in a school and want to get a degree so you can teach but can’t do any field experience, MACU has the degree for you!

The B.A. in Educational Studies degree:

Provides you with a foundation in education
Offers some limited course customization for the age group you want to teach
No field experience required

I’m Currently a Paraprofessional and Want to be a Teacher

To be initially certified, you need:

A Bachelor’s Degree with 2.5 GPA or higher (If you don’t have one, MACU can help!)
Have at least one year of experience in a public school in the area in which you are seeking certification
Pass at least one OSAT test for the area you want to teach