Teaching is one of the most versatile careers. Your responsibilities may range from leading a reading circle in a rural public school or teaching at a high school biology lab to supporting multilingual learners in an urban charter classroom.

Additionally, some teachers start in their twenties, while others begin after a decade in another field. The profession is flexible and full of entry pathways.

But if you are considering a career in education, you may wonder: Do you need a master’s degree to be a teacher? Depending on your goals and where you plan to teach, it can be an advantage, but it is not always necessary.

This guide explores different ways to enter the field (including earning a master’s) and how to choose a path that fits your vision for your future.

What Does It Mean to Be a Teacher?

A teacher is often the first significant influence in a child’s life beyond their family. From early school years, teachers help shape the eventual values and worldview of the next generation.

• K–12: A teacher’s role extends from building early literacy in a kindergarten classroom to teaching advanced math to high school students. Depending on what states require for public education, these roles often require a teaching certification.
• Higher education: Professors guide college students with advanced, career-focused instruction in colleges and universities. Most hold an advanced degree in education and significant teaching experience.
• Special education: Special ed teachers work with students with a wide range of learning needs, tailoring lessons to ensure every student can thrive. Many of these roles require certified training in specialized education programs.

Regardless of the setting, the core tasks of teaching are fundamentally similar. They include:

• Lesson planning: Teachers map out lessons that meet curriculum goals while adapting to different learning styles and pacing.
• Student engagement: A key part of teaching is keeping students engaged by making lessons interactive and rooted in real life.
• Assessment: Teachers track students’ grasp of material through quizzes, written work, projects, and day-to-day observations. This feedback helps teachers fine-tune instruction, building practical experience along the way.

If you are interested in taking the next step toward the classroom, the Master of Arts in Education program at Alliant offers budding educators hands-on training and coursework.

Educational Requirements for Teachers

To be qualified to teach in public K–12 schools in the United States, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued teaching credential. Depending on the state, you may also need to complete a teacher preparation program as part of your undergraduate studies or separately.

Apart from these standard requirements, each state sets its own rules, which can include:

• Additional exams
• Student teaching hours
• Varied requirements depending on what grade or subject you plan to teach. For example, elementary teachers typically need broader coursework, while high school teachers often major in the subject they intend to teach.

Do You Need a Master’s Degree for K–12 Teaching?

The standard minimum for entry-level K–12 teaching positions is a bachelor’s degree and state certification.

Do you need a master’s to be a teacher for K—12? Not necessarily, though many educators pursue it later in their careers to qualify for leadership roles or develop deeper instructional skills. Additionally, in some districts or states, such as New York, a master’s may be required within a few years of starting.¹ Options like our MAE with Single Subject Credential can help future teachers meet these requirements efficiently.

Master’s Degree for Teaching in Higher Education

In higher education, faculty members are expected to possess a deep understanding of their subject, so a master’s degree is a compulsory requirement, especially if you aim for a tenure-track position.  The average time it takes to earn a master’s in education or teaching is typically 1-2 years.

A terminal degree, such as a PhD, may even be required for full professors.²

The Benefits of Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education

While a master’s degree is often a nice-to-have and not an absolute necessity, earning one may offer you several advantages:

• Career advancement: A master’s degree can signal to employers that you have a deeper understanding of your subject’s theory and practice.
• Specialized expertise: Earning a master’s degree lets you stack deep knowledge of a particular area or subject matter niche, like adult education or ESL. This can make you an expert in the field, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.
• Leadership roles: A master’s degree makes you eligible to apply for institutional positions like department head, educational coordinator, or even principal. If successful, you can eventually shape school policies and direction.

Alternatives to a Master’s Degree for Teaching

If you choose not to pursue a master’s degree, alternative certification programs could offer you a faster, more practical way into the classroom. They focus on state-specific classroom requirements, allowing you to start teaching sooner, through:

• Accelerated coursework for quickly building core skills
• Supervised student teaching
• Mentorship to support you in your first years
• Practical training in day-to-day tasks

For future educators, especially those entering from another field, these alternatives can provide the required credentials without the time and cost of a full graduate degree.

Making the Decision to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching

Ultimately, deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree in teaching is a personal decision that requires careful thought. Ask yourself: What are your long-term career goals? Do you see yourself leading, specializing, or teaching at higher levels in five or ten years?

A master’s degree also comes with financial and time commitments. And while it can offer valuable growth opportunities, it is not essential for every teaching path.

If advancing your education fits your vision, Alliant offers flexible teaching credential programs built to train tomorrow’s educators. These programs combine coursework and hands-on practice to meet you where you are, helping you build confidence and competence.

Take the next step toward your career as an educator and apply today.

Sources: 

1. Office of Teaching Initiatives. “Professional Certification – Education Requirement”. New York State Education Department. April 15, 2024. https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/relatedmasters.html. Accessed May 15, 2025.
2. Merrily Dunn, Dena R. Kniess. “To Pursue or Not to Pursue a Terminal Degree.” New Directions for Student Services. June 4, 2019. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ss.20306. Accessed May 15, 2025. 

The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. Alliant International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of Alliant graduates. Alliant does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.