Bachelor's Degree in Teaching: Majors, Licensing, and Routes Into the Classroom
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To teach in a U.S. public school, you need two things: a bachelor's degree and a teaching license, issued by your state, for the grade level you plan to teach. A bachelor's degree in teaching, usually awarded as a Bachelor of Education or a BA or BS in education, is the four-year program that covers the first requirement and, if it is a licensure program, prepares you for the second.
Your major depends on the grades you want. Future elementary teachers typically major in elementary education, while many states expect middle school teachers to major in the subject they will teach. Already have a bachelor's in another field? Every state offers an alternative route to licensure, so you may not need a second degree at all.
Colorado Christian University
Program:
Both programs are online and focus on kindergarten through sixth grade. Finishing the licensure version earns a university recommendation for licensure to the Colorado Department of Education, and graduates still need to meet state requirements such as content testing and background checks. The version without licensure has no student teaching but does require 160 hours of field work, and it targets schools that don't ask for a license, such as some private and international schools.
Arizona State University
Program:
ASU offers this elementary education program online. Its Dreambound page doesn't list licensure details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a BS or BA better for teaching?
Neither one is better for getting licensed. States care whether your program is an approved teacher preparation program for your grade level, not whether it ends in "Arts" or "Science."
What is the lowest degree to become a teacher?
For a licensed public school position, a bachelor's degree is the floor, since every state licenses public school teachers and licensure builds on a bachelor's. Substitute teaching and classroom support roles follow separate rules that vary by state.
Can you get a teaching degree online?
Yes. Many accredited schools offer online teaching degrees, but student teaching takes place in person at a school, and you'll still need to meet your state's licensing requirements.
Do private schools require a license?
Usually not. BLS notes that private schools typically don't require teachers to hold a state license, so each school sets its own hiring standards.
Mapping Your Route to a Teaching License
Work backward from the classroom you have in mind. Pick the grade level first, look up what your state requires for that license, and then choose a major and program that line up with it. If you already have a bachelor's, compare your state's alternative routes before you sign up for a second degree.
When you're ready to look at specific schools, start by checking which programs on Dreambound offer the licensure option your state expects.
Related Reading
These guides cover nearby teaching paths, from early learning to adult classrooms:
