Become a Teacher

High School Student

High School Student Planning a Teaching Career

Earn While You Learn

This pathway is the most economical option and gets you in the classroom in four years!

1. Community College
   
   • Tuition — California College Promise Grant
     
2. California State University (CSU)/University of California (UC) — Bachelor's Degree
   
3. Apply for Job and Internship Program with an Intern Credential
   

Traditional Route Option A or Option B

Option A

1. Community College
   
2. University — Bachelor's Degree
   
3. Credentialing Program

Option B (4-Years)

1. Complete a 4-Year Integrated Program: Earn Bachelor's Degree and Credential in four years.

College Undergraduate

Earn While You Learn

1. California State University (CSU)/University of California (UC) — Bachelor's Degree
   
2. Apply for Job and Internship Program with an Intern Credential

Traditional Route Option A or Option B

Option A

1. University — Bachelor's Degree
   
2. Credentialing Program

Option B (4-Years)

1. Complete a 4-Year Integrated Program: Earn Bachelor's Degree and Credential in 4 years.

College Education and/or Work Experience

Internship Option

1. California State University (CSU)/University of California (UC) — Have or earn a Bachelor's Degree
   
2. Apply for a teaching job and internship program and apply for an Intern Credential under the direction of the internship program

Work Experience Options

• Volunteer or work in a classroom setting
• Volunteer or work in an education tutoring program
• Participate in a high-school career in education or career in early education pathway program
• Explore teacher residency options through a school district or university
• Explore teaching credential options for adults with prior career technical education industry work experience

More Information

Details for All of the Pathways

• Community College
  
  • Pay for College , includes the current low cost per unit at California Community Colleges
  • Alphabetic Listing of California Community Colleges
    
• California State University (CSU)/University of California (UC) — Bachelor's Degree
  • Recommended degrees:
    
    • Liberal Studies for elementary teaching
      
    • A subject area of interest for middle or high school
      
    • Early Childhood Education for transitional kindergarten or preschool
      
• Credentialing Program (select one of these options *)
  
  • Traditional credentialing program
    
    • Apply at a university
      
  • Teacher residency
    
    • Check with school districts or universities
      
• Apply for a Credential
  
  • Credentialing Information from California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
    
• Apply for a Job!
  
  • EdJoin

* For either credentialing program option, see Approved Institutions and Programs from the CTC

Other Education Programs or Career Changers

• Career Changer — Goal Assessment from Teach California
• Substitute Teaching from CTC
• Intern Programs (Either District Intern or University Intern Program)
• Reading Instruction or Specialist Programs
• Traditional Credentialing Program
• Transitional Kindergarten or Child Development Background

More Information from California Department of Education

• Career Exploration
  Programs providing classroom experience.
  
  
• College Resources
  External Web sites providing information to prospective teachers about California's college systems.
  
  
• Financial Support
  Information about financial support for individuals who are considering teaching as a career.
  
  
• Getting Credentialed & Finding a Job
  Information about the requirements for becoming a teacher and finding a teaching job in California.