How to become a teacher without an education degree
Alternative certification programs and district fast-track options allow people with degrees in other fields to get licensed and hired without returning to school. These pathways let candidates avoid paying for another degree and bypass unpaid student teaching, though they often require stepping into positions like middle school before feeling fully prepared.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Looking into alternative certification or emergency licenses through state education websites.Did this help you?
- 2sticking with the original plan to take courses first and apply in a later hiring cycleDid this help you?
- 3Working as a long-term guest teacher or substituteDid this help you?
- 4Becoming a teaching assistantDid this help you?
- 5Studying district websites to align with local pedagogy in interviewsDid this help you?
- 6Coaching sports to increase marketabilityDid this help you?
- 7Relocating to regions with high teacher shortagesDid this help you?
- 8explaining teaching strategies using casual terms like going off of vibesDid this help you?
- 9pursuing alternative licensure or resident educator programsDid this help you?
- 10getting a bachelor's degree in a specific subject area and a subsequent master's degree in educationDid this help you?
- 11taking extra certification courses or testsDid this help you?
- 12Completing the required year or program time to obtain the full license before leaving or switching schoolsDid this help you?
- 13Returning to substitute teaching instead of continuing to teach an uninteresting subject or grade levelDid this help you?
- 14Researching programs individually onlineDid this help you?
- 15Trying to evaluate programs based on cost, completion speed, and district relationshipsDid this help you?
- 16Visiting the department of elementary and secondary education website to read about certificationDid this help you?
- 17Taking the MTELs, securing a job, and completing an MEd with night classes and a practicum laterDid this help you?
- 18Researching alternative certification or intern pathwaysDid this help you?
- 19Consulting family members who are already educators about classroom realitiesDid this help you?
- 20Looking online for examples of lesson plansDid this help you?
- 21Using AI for brainstorming, unit planning, and clerical workDid this help you?
- 22Relying on past experience training adults or staff in other fieldsDid this help you?
- 23Substitute teaching to experience the classroom environment before committing to a certification programDid this help you?
- 24Asking educators online to compare post-bacc programs versus teacher intern routesDid this help you?
- 25Looking up state-specific alternative certification websitesDid this help you?
- 26Considering related specialized roles like school psychologistDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I've had a decent amount of interviews, came close a few times, but I keep falling short.”source ↗
“I'm not entirely sure why it's been so hard for me.”source ↗
“I hope I didn't go 40K in debt just to find out I'm not good enough.”source ↗
“What is the best pathway you recommend for be becoming a teacher? what advice would you give for my position ?”source ↗
“I have a 4 year degree in a NON ed field a bachelors degree i got 8 years ago, I have been subbing and think I would enjoy teaching altho both subbing and teach are different.”source ↗
“Online I have read I can do Post-Bacc Program or Teacher Intern route. Which of those would you prefer?”source ↗
“I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my career at the moment and I was hoping some of you might be able to offer advice.”source ↗
“Well, now I’ve heard from HR in my target district that a science teaching position is currently open and they would potentially be able to fast-track me to intern eligibility for this position.”source ↗
“I’m seriously considering a jump off this cliff, as first-year teaching is going to be difficult regardless and through this pathway, I’d be in with my target district already and avoid unpaid student teaching altogether.”source ↗
“At the same time, middle school is not my preferred level and I don’t want to set myself up to fail.”source ↗
“Question for a high schooler looking at colleges”source ↗
“so i should get my bachelors in my desired subject and then get my masters in education?”source ↗
“So for example if I want to be a chemistry high school teacher i can just major in chemistry? and it doesn’t matter BS or BA?”source ↗
“I definitely want to do highschool anyways”source ↗
“iTeach comes up when researching alternative certification in Texas, but what are the legitimate alternatives worth comparing it to?”source ↗
“What factors actually matter when choosing... cost, completion speed, district relationships, post-certification job placement?”source ↗
“I'm 32. Tired of being a TA and not being taken seriously as an educator.”source ↗
“I need to improve upon my professional jargon, because in PD’s and in conferences with admin, I just tell them that I go off of “vibes.””source ↗
“I’m in my first year as a teacher, which is hard enough as it is, but to make matters worse I’m teaching a subject that does not align with my degree”source ↗
“I’d legit rather go back to subbing than continue on teaching a subject and grade level I don’t particularly enjoy.”source ↗
“I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity but I just know I can’t carry on teaching a subject I’m not interested in. I’ll be miserable.”source ↗
“I am looking to make a switch into teaching history in secondary education. What are ways to become licensed to teach in MA?”source ↗
“I am 24 years old and about to graduate with my B.A. in Statistics, I got the bachelor of arts because I took Spanish IV. I also have an A.A.S in mathematics.”source ↗
“I did an internship with my degree and have done a project, but quite frankly, I find it extremely boring.”source ↗
“I'm really considering going to California and doing the intern pathway for a math teacher, and I would want to teach older kids.”source ↗
“I have never even seen what a lesson plan looks like and yet in the last week I have been accepted into a graduate school for secondary education and have a job interview”source ↗
“I have an interview for three potential teaching positions that I have general knowledge for but I am terrified that I am making a huge career change at the age of 36.”source ↗
“A lot of the interview questions seem pointed towards people who have already taught before or who have at least a degree in teaching of some kind. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm in over my head.”source ↗
“I looked online for some examples of lesson plans since I am supposed to present a lesson plan as well as a 15 minute lesson for the interview. I think I have most of what I need down but I am still scared.”source ↗
“I have a BA and MA in English and I’ve been trying to find a job in several different fields, but no luck, so I’ve started thinking about going into teaching.”source ↗
“Is there a good way to get a teaching certificate (in Ohio) without going back to school (or maybe getting it cheaper online)? I can’t really afford that at the moment, so if there’s some alternative path, I’d love to hear about it!”source ↗
“For context, I have 0 teaching experience. I have a Master’s in psychology. I would ideally like to teach lower-level math, English, or psych (but this is rare). I live in South Carolina. Is this something I could do quickly? What is the process? Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5How to make good money without a degree
- 5Is switching to teaching worth it later in life?
- 3Applying for jobs before you graduate
- 18Why can't I find a teaching job after graduating?
- 3How to finish a college degree and get a CPA without a mentor
- 4Tips for teaching teens when you've only taught elementary students