A bachelor's degree in education is for students with a high school diploma, GED or associate's degree who are interested in pursuing a teaching career. Most teachers in the U.S. earn a bachelor's degree in education and get teacher certification in their state.

To become a certified teacher, you have two main options:

• Earn a bachelor's degree in education
• Earn a bachelor's degree in your subject area, and then take additional teacher education courses and pursue teacher certification.

Read our article on how to become a teacher to learn about your teacher education options.

What to Expect in Your Bachelor's Degree in Education

Most students complete their bachelor's degree in education in four years. Teachers' degrees provide you with a broad liberal arts education, and a strong foundation in teaching knowledge and skills. In your freshman and sophomore years, you will take many of the same prerequisites as other students. Then you will specialize in education classes in the last two years of your college studies.

Courses in your teacher's degree will stress both content knowledge and pedagogy (the art of teaching).

• Content Knowledge: Learning the information you need to effectively teach your subject


• Pedagogy: Learning how to teach, with an emphasis on both psychology and practical skills

Your Bachelor's Degree in Education and Teacher Certification

Teacher certification requirements vary by state, but nearly all states require an undergraduate on-campus or online teaching degree. Getting a bachelor's degree in education is the best way to start your teaching career. Check our school listings below for some of the best teacher training programs.

Accredited colleges and universities offer many general and specialized bachelor's degrees in education for prospective teachers that meet state teacher certification requirements. When you start your teaching career with a bachelor's degree, you are placing yourself on the fast track to becoming a certified teacher.

In a bachelor's degree in education, your minor will often become an endorsement subject for you, in other words, a subject you are certified to teach. For instance, you might pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a minor in math if you anticipate becoming a high school math teacher. After receiving your bachelor's degree and complying with state teacher certification requirements, you will be certified to teach in your state.

A Bachelor's Degree in Education Is Your Best Degree Option

As you can see, a bachelor's degree in education is the best choice for future teachers. In addition, many future teachers take advantage of the flexibility that online bachelor degrees in education can offer. Once you finish your studies and do your student teaching, you'll be just one step away from becoming a teacher and having a classroom of your own. And as any prospective teacher knows, this is one of the most rewarding careers of all.