You can start working on your path to teaching before you leave high school. You have several options to get classroom experience, early college credits, scholarships and even paid jobs while you learn! 

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For almost all teaching subjects, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license, unless you plan to teach in a trade, technical, or media arts field. The good news is that you can earn your degree and license at the same time at many Maryland colleges and universities.

Bachelor's degree pathways include:

• Specialized programs for high school students including experience and credits while in high school.
• Traditional degree programs. This “traditional” route includes coursework and student teaching.
• Apprenticeships. Some schools have apprenticeship programs that allow you to earn while you learn by working at the school and working at your own pace toward your license. 

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If you already have a degree, you have multiple options to earn your license. These include:

• Master’s degree + license programs. This “traditional” route requires coursework and student teaching.
• Alternative licensure. Enter an approved alternative program and receive a “resident teacher” license. You’ll work in the classroom with a mentor teacher to earn your full license.
• Transcript Analysis. If you plan to teach fine arts or secondary school, you may be able to earn your license by demonstrating content expertise. You’ll need significant coursework in your field (or be able pass a content test). You'll also need to complete professional development related to teaching. We don’t cover this method in our guide. You can find more information here.

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If you already have experience  as a classroom teacher in Maryland, another state or another country, you can earn your Maryland teaching license right away. There are options for:

• Out of state educators
• Maryland teachers in nonpublic schools

 We don’t cover this method in this guide. If you think you qualify, find more information here.

If you have occupational experience in a trade or technical field, there may be special pathways for you, whether or not you have a bachelor’s degree. Fields include agriculture, medical professions, welding, culinary arts, media arts, and many more.

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Maryland’s littlest learners need teachers, too. You could work in a childcare center, a Pre-K program or an elementary school. Some early childhood jobs don’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree right away, so it can be a good place to start if you need to earn a degree. 

Love lots of subjects? Enjoy working with younger children? Elementary teachers get to make fun lesson plans and engaging activities for math, reading, science, history and more for grades 1–6. 

Prefer to specialize in your subject area or work with older students? Teach in a middle or high school and go deep in your favorite topics, whether it’s biology, geometry, history, literature or math. (And lots of others!)

Some subjects—like P.E., music or world languages—allow you to work at any level, from elementary through high school. 

The same goes for many special education endorsements. These subjects allow flexibility to move between grade levels and find a wider range of job openings.   

If you have industry experience in agriculture, business, manufacturing, skilled trades or technology, you may want to teach in a high school industry training program. 

Many of these subjects don’t require a bachelor’s degree, but you do need industry experience and may need related certification. 

Some subjects need teachers more than others. If you’re looking to make a real difference and find strong job prospects, consider high-demand fields like special education, elementary education, STEM (science, technology, engineering & math), and specialized fine arts such as music, art, dance and theatre. 

Get the full list of Maryland shortage areas in our Guide to Maryland Licensing Areas.

Most teaching licenses require a bachelor’s degree. However, some fields in Professional & Technical Education may rely on industry experience instead of a traditional degree. For these roles, you’ll need to be hired by a school first, and then complete a specific licensure pathway based on your training and professional background.

Nope! For most teaching positions, you want a degree or lots of coursework in your specific teaching subject. That means a degree in math to teach math, a degree in science to teach science, and so on. 

If you’re an undergraduate and you plan to teach elementary education or special education, check with your college about the appropriate major. No matter your teaching field, you may find it helpful to minor in education, if that’s an option. Talk to your college advisor about this. 

If you already have a degree in another field like anthropology or marketing, and you want to teach science or English, you’ll need to demonstrate subject expertise. Requirements for coursework, experience and testing can vary based on your background. Visit our Licensing for Graduates page to learn more.

You don’t always know what you want to teach when you first choose a major. Or you may be thinking about switching careers to a new area of interest! 

Most teaching programs require at least 24 credits (about 8–12 classes) in the subject you want to teach. Depending on your background, you may need to take some additional classes to complete these credits. Talk to the specific teaching program you’re interested in to learn about their requirements! 

No matter what, make sure you enroll in a teaching program that offers licensing in the subject you want to teach. If your major and subject are really different (you have a degree in math and want to teach art), talk to a coach before diving in! 

If you have a bachelor’s degree and strong knowledge or experience in a subject, you may be able to become a licensed teacher through one of Maryland’s transcript analysis pathways:

• Secondary Content Transcript Analysis lets you teach grades 7–12 and meet licensure requirements through a combination of subject expertise, professional coursework and testing, even if your degree is in a different field.
• Fine Arts Transcript Analysis is designed for those with professional experience in art, music, dance or theatre. 

Have questions? Talk to a TEACH Maryland coach for free.

A “traditional” teaching program is one based at a Maryland college or university. These programs offer the most intensive support, with coursework, student teaching (also called “clinical experience”) and lots of feedback. 

Programs include:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Programs that allow you to graduate with a full degree and a teaching license.
• License-only programs for people who already have a degree. 

Visit the TEACH Maryland Program Explorer to find teaching programs near you. Just starting on your journey? You can start at a Maryland Community College.

An "alternative" program is for anyone who already has a bachelor’s degree, or who will graduate soon. Through alternative licensure, you get into the classroom to gain experience—and often a paycheck—while you earn your license. You’ll start with a “resident” or “conditional” teaching license and get experience and mentorship from an experienced educator. 

You’ll find alternative options through school districts, nonprofit agencies, and some colleges or universities. 

Residency Programs

Typically for working adults with a degree, a residency program is a type of alternative licensure program. Teacher residencies let you start teaching right away after a short training period, and with significant support during your first year on the job. You’ll earn a paycheck and take classes during your program. 

In some residency programs, you may earn a master’s degree. In others, you’ll only earn a teaching license. Either way, you’ll dive right into the classroom! So if you feel confident jumping right in (with support from your school) this pathway might be right for you. 

In Maryland, you can find residency programs that partner with a college or university, or through school districts that offer their own residencies. School district residencies are called in-district training programs, although this is a highly-specific pathway that requires you to first secure a teaching position. 

Get more information about the Residency License. 

If you already work at a school—as a teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, or other instructional support staff—you may qualify for specialized programs that keep you working at your current school while you earn a teaching license. 

Many schools have alternative licensure programs for staff who have a degree. Some may also have apprenticeship programs for staff who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. 

It’s worth finding out if your school offers extra support for employees who are pursuing a teaching license. Talk to your principal to learn more about your options. 

Not already working at a school? Consider applying! You’ll gain valuable classroom management experience, make connections with teachers and schools, and earn a living while working toward your license. 

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