College Education

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, prospective teachers need at least a four-year bachelor's degree. Teachers usually choose a major in an area they want to specialize in, such as mathematics or literature. Many colleges and universities offer teacher education programs with curriculum that meets the general guidelines for providing prospective teachers with the requisite background knowledge.
  
  

Teacher Preparation Program

• The teacher preparation program may be in addition to the general education the prospective teacher receives while at a college or university. In a teacher preparation program, the students learn basic concepts of teaching and classroom management. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, most state laws require the program to contain some form of actual classroom instruction whereby the student teaches a classroom of children under the direction and guidance of a certified teacher.
  
  

Pass State Required Certification Exams

• State laws determine which exams must be taken to become certified in that state. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, every state requires teachers to pass basic tests covering language, mathematics and reasoning. Teachers who want to specialize in a specific area, such as music, must take content-specific exams covering that subject matter.
  
  

Additional Requirements for Special Education Teachers

• Additional requirements exist for teachers who want to focus on students with special needs. These teachers often require taking coursework in teaching to special needs children. Some states require these teachers to have an advanced degree, such as a master's degree or doctorate degree.