I am new to these forums and was wondering if anyone could help me out. I have been thinking about taking some online courses but I don't know if I am ready to make that commitment. I am working full time at a job I love but would like to have something to fall back on should I need it. I have some questions I am hoping someone on here could answer. I don't really want to contact any colleges themselves since I am not ready to have them contacting me. So I guess I am just going to ask my questions and if anyone could help it would be great.

I have always been interested in teaching so if I were go take courses they would be in that area. I guess one of the huge things holding me back is the student teaching. Do I earn my degree and then complete my student teaching? Would I be able to earn my degree and then if later on down the line I decide to leave my job and teach then complete the student teaching? I guess I will just start there because I think the answer to this would pretty much be the make it or break it for me.

I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

Hey there, licensing to become a teacher, varies from state to state, even district to district within the same state! The first thing you should do is think about what subject you want to teach. After doing this, contact your state board of licensing for education or a local school district to talk to someone about licensing requirements to see what you have to do in order to teach.

As for student teaching, this varies, according to whether or not a state or district allows for alternative licensing. For example here in NC a person can enter the classroom, by having a bachelor's degree, taking the praxis 2 exam in the area they want to teach, then fullfill the other teaching requirements, including educational courses, within 3 years. If you already have a bachelors degree you may not be far from entering the teaching field.

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M.S. , M.Ed. ,
Director of Online Faculty Training and Management, Online Adjunct, Online Instructional Technologist, and Course Designer