TEACH Maryland | Frequently Asked Questions

Only you can decide if teaching is right for you, and there is a combination of skills and values that many teachers have. 

Here are some signs that you will like teaching:

• You want a career with autonomy, mastery and purpose.
• You have drive and curiosity to challenge yourself and grow.
• You've worked with children before and enjoy it.
• You want a job that's both creative and analytical, and that makes a real difference in your community.

Here are a few places to start your research:

• Visit our Explore Teaching page.
• Check out our articles, pages and videos to explore the ins and outs of teaching.

Choosing the right teaching programs will depend on your experience and where you want to begin your teaching career. 

Consider these questions to help determine the program for you: 

• Do you want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree along with your teaching license? Or do you want to jump right into teaching with an alternative licensing program? 
• Do you have a budget? Does the program need to be mostly online to fit your schedule? 
• How much hands-on experience do you want, and what kind of mentorship do you hope to receive? 

Questions like these will guide you to choosing the program that fits your goals. You can learn more about choosing a teaching program in our article. 

You do not need a master’s degree to start teaching in Maryland, but if you already have a bachelor’s degree and are changing careers to start teaching, a master’s degree isn’t a bad idea.

Benefits of getting a master’s degree to teach in Maryland:

• A master's degree program offers extra support to learn the teaching trade, from lesson planning to classroom management. 
• A master's degree will allow you to earn a higher salary, and is required to earn an Advanced Professional License.
• If you already have a teaching license, you can take classes to earn your master’s degree during nights and weekends. 

You can use our Program Explorer to find master's degree programs in Maryland.

You can use financial aid such as scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness opportunities to help make teaching programs more affordable. 

Financial aid options in Maryland:

• Scholarships: financial assistance that does not need to be repaid, and is offered based on a student’s merit, need or athletics, such as the TEACH Maryland Scholarship. 
• Grants: a financial award that does not need to be repaid, such as the Guaranteed Access Grant.
• Loan forgiveness: a cancellation of some or all a student’s loans after meeting specified requirements such as on-time payments, service commitments and tenure. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is a good example. 

Financial aid opportunities can be federally, privately or institutionally funded. You can learn more about financial aid for Maryland teachers in our financial aid guide. 

You can absolutely teach in a subject other than what your degree is in. In Maryland, you will need pass subject area assessments and take a teacher preparation program in your new subject. 

How to Get licensed in Your New Subject:

• Choose a Pathway: master’s of art in teaching programs offer a master’s degree alongside your teaching license, or you can take alternative licensing programs or license-only programs. Learn more on our How to Become a licensed Teacher in Maryland page.
• Take required courses: You may need to take extra courses in your new subject. You can check with your teacher prep program for course requirements.
• Pass subject area assessments: You must pass a subject area test for your new subject area to prove you can teach that subject. Learn more about testing in our Testing Guide.

If you’re a first-year teacher, the average starting salary for Maryland teachers is ~$60,000 as of July 2026. If you have more experience or more education, Maryland’s average teacher salary is ~$84,000.

• In most cases, school districts set their own salary schedules for teachers, which are often based on years of experience and credentials.
• You can increase your salary by advancing the Career Ladder, an initiative within the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. 

You can learn more about Maryland teacher salaries and benefits on our Salary and Benefits page.

To set your teaching career up for success, focus on professional growth and finding the right environment. Follow these key steps:

• Prioritize teacher effectiveness: Look for professional development opportunities, find strong mentors and challenge yourself to try new things in the classroom! These strategies can set you up for more benefits like promotions and pay raises. 
• Select the right employer: Research school districts and leadership carefully, as your school community and leadership will significantly impact your growth.
• Evaluate fit during interviews: Treat interviews as a two-way process. You're interviewing for a position, but you also want to find out if a particular school will be a good fit.

Teachers generally have a great deal of autonomy — more so than most jobs right out of college. From day one, you'll be entrusted with big responsibilities. 

Areas teachers will have the most autonomy

• Building classroom culture by way of room decoration, class room management techniques and classroom routines
• Instructional Strategy by choosing the activities, technology and teaching methods that best fit your students' needs
• Being creative with lesson implementation by adapting the required curriculum to be engaging for your students

That said, every school varies in terms of teacher autonomy, so it's smart to ask about this during job interviews.

In most cases, yes. With proper training, preparation and practice, you'll build the skills you need to manage students in your classroom.

Your teaching program should show you how to earn your students' trust, develop strong communication skills and use effective classroom management techniques.

Once you're in the classroom, you'll continue to learn on the job and learn from your colleagues. Teachers are a supportive bunch, and experienced educators at your school will help you to continue to build your craft. You've got this!

Yes! While there’s no single way to be a good teacher, there are a combination of skills and values that a good teacher has. Like any profession, it takes time and dedication to develop the skills to teach effectively. 

Therefore, good teachers need to have passion, drive, and curiosity to do their job well and better themselves. Each day, you'll improve your relationship-building, critical thinking, creativity and leadership skills, to support your students the best that you can.

The quickest way to become a teacher online is through alternative licensing programs or teacher residency programs. 

Key benefits to non-traditional online programs

• Online coursework: asynchronous coursework can be completed at your own pace
• Fast-track training: shorter but enriched training courses on the fundamentals of teaching a classroom of students
• Earn while you learn: in many cases, once you finish training, you can start teaching in your classroom right away and apply what you learn as you teach. 

No matter what type of program you choose, you will have hands-on, in-person experiences during student teaching, so it can’t be done completely online. You can learn more about teacher residency programs in our guide. 

In most cases, it will take four years in a traditional teaching program. However, it ultimately depends on the type of teaching program you choose and where you are in your academic career. 

• Bachelor’s degree & licensing: About 4 years
• Master’s degree & licensing: 1–3 years
• Alternative licensing: 1–2 years
• licensing-only: Up to 1 year

You can see different programs and their lengths in our Program Explorer.

The fastest pathways to become a licensed teacher is through residency or alternative licensing programs, as well as licensure-only programs. If you have educational or professional degrees in the subject area you want to teach, these programs allow you to learn how to teach and, in some cases, start teaching right away.

Learn more about programs in our Program Explorer. 

You can become a teacher even if you have a unique background and there are pathways to teaching tailored specifically for situations like this. 

Pathways to a teaching license:

• Alternative licensing programs are a good option for you if you want to change careers and have a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. 
• Professional and Technical Education licensing is a good option if you have vocational experience in a specific trade or industry.

Learn more about Maryland teacher licensing.

No, you can become a teacher in Maryland at any point in your career. 

• If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can find many programs suited for career changers, such as master’s degree programs, licensure-only programs and alternative licensing programs. 
• If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, there are traditional teaching programs that offer a bachelor’s and license at the same time. 
• If you have work experience in an industry or technical field, you can become a Career and Technical Education teacher to teach grades 7-12. 

Each program offers a different range of coursework, hands-on experience and mentoring. Learn more about Maryland teacher licensing.

Yes, substitute teaching roles do qualify for the full-time classroom teaching experience required to get licensed, but paraprofessional work does not. The type of substitute teaching does matter for it to be used as experience, however.

Using substitute teaching as experience towards a Maryland teaching license:

• Day-to-day substitute teaching does not count towards the experience needed to get a teaching license.
• Long-term substitute teaching, for a minimum of three months, does count towards experience requirements.

Experience in both of these roles, including paraprofessional or teaching aides, will be good experience for applying to teacher preparation programs. Additionally, paraprofessionals may take advantage of programs at the school where they work to become licensed teachers.

Yes, you can use your non-education degree or prior experience to teach in Maryland. There are two options available: 

• Elementary and Secondary education (in any subject) teacher: You will need to pass an exam in your desired subject area, as well as fulfill requirements for a teacher preparation program. Pathways available to you include master’s degree programs, licensure-only programs and alternative licesnings programs. Learn more in our teaching programs guide.
• Professional and Technical Education (PTE) teacher: This pathway is a non-traditional route to becoming a teacher. If you have work experience in industries like construction, hospitality, or health sciences, PTE licensure lets you apply your skills to teach grades 7-12. Learn more about becoming a PTE teacher.

Maryland offers a variety of teacher licensing programs, ranging from programs for people who have never been to college to programs for people who want a master’s degree. You can expect to find these types of programs available at different colleges and universities:

• Bachelor’s degree + license programs
• Master’s degree + license programs
• Alternative licensing programs
• license-only programs

Each program offers a different range of coursework, hands-on experience and mentoring. Learn more about Maryland teacher licensing.

In Maryland, the primary difference is that a teaching degree is an academic qualification from a college, while a teaching license is the legal authorization from the state to teach in a classroom.

To qualify for these credentials, you must meet different requirements:

• Teaching degree: Obtained by completing a college-level teacher preparation program, including specialized coursework in a specific subject area.
• Teaching license: Issued by the Maryland State Department of Education after you complete the degree, pass the required state license exams, and finish student teaching assessments. 

You can learn more about Maryland teacher licenses in our licensing guide.

Yes, you can earn your master’s degree and Maryland teaching license in one program in as little as one to two years. 

The benefits of a master’s degree program:

• Integrated licensing: Master’s of arts in teaching programs build in teacher licensing requirements into your coursework to get you licensed faster.
• Higher salary: You can start teaching with a higher salary with a master’s degree.

You can find a master’s degree program for you in our Program Explorer.

Yes, there are many earn while you learn (teacher residency) programs in Maryland for teachers to get licensed while teaching in a classroom. These programs are built for you to earn your teacher license in one to two years, all while applying what you learn from your coursework into the classroom. You can learn more in our guide about what to expect in a Maryland Teacher Residency. 

A teaching residency program is a type of alternative licensing program that allows you to earn your initial teaching license in two to three years while getting paid to teach in a classroom alongside a mentor teacher.

Key benefits to a teaching residency program

• Get paid to teach: receive an annual stipend while in the program, with benefits! 
• More experience: you will commit to teaching in your school for the full school year, where other programs typically have student teaching last for a few weeks. You will also get support from your mentor teacher.
• Job opportunities: start a full-time teaching role, usually in the district where you trained. After you graduate, you’ll often commit to teaching in your district for a certain amount of time.

You can learn more about the benefits of Maryland Teacher Residency Programs.

Substitute teachers usually need atleast a high school diploma/GED and be at least 18 years old. School districts have different requirements and application processes, so check with the school district you want to substitute for to see the requirements to apply. 

Yes, you can start teaching immediately in Maryland by obtaining a Conditional license. Pathway to a conditional license in Maryland:

• Schools may have positions available that an already licensed teacher can’t fill. 
• If you qualify for that position, you could get hired by the school district while you work toward your initial professional license, with a conditional teaching license.

This license is for you if: 

• You’ve signed a contract with the school district and are officially employed by them. 
• You’re working toward your initial professional license

Conditional licenses are nonrenewable, so you’ll need to earn your professional license before the conditional license expires.

Maryland may accept an expired out-of-state license if you have taken an out-of-state teacher preparation program, have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and can pass the required content and teaching assessments, if needed. Learn more about pathways to a teacher license. 

You can get your out-of-state teaching license evaluated by the Maryland State Department of Education to determine if you meet all the requirements to teach in Maryland. 

Evaluation of your out-of-state teacher license:

• Comparable license: If you hold a valid, out-of-state license that is comparable to the Maryland Professional teacher license and have a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can submit your credentials for review.
• Provide teaching experience: You will need to provide proof of full-time teaching experience to get a Maryland teaching license.
• Pass content and teaching assessments: You may need to take assessments if you plan to teach early childhood, elementary, special education or english for speakers of other languages. Teaching assessments, such as the edTAP, may be required for all prospective Maryland teachers.

To have your international teaching license or degree recognized by the U.S. and to begin teaching in Maryland, you will need to submit your transcripts to an approved foreign transcript evaluation agency for a course-by-course evaluation. 

Once you submit all the required documents, the organization will evaluate your credentials and send a report to you or to the Maryland State Department of Education.

You can apply for a Maryland teaching license even with an international degree or license. To begin the process, you will need to gather some documents as well as have your degree and credentials evaluated:

International teaching license application requirements:

• You must have a bachelor’s degree.
• Submit valid identification documentation, work experience, teaching licenses and fingerprinting.

You will also need to submit official transcripts to an approved foreign transcript evaluation agency for a course-by-course evaluation.

Maryland has many benefits for veterans and military spouses to pursue a teaching career. 

Pathways available to veterans, military service members and their families:

• Veterans and Military spouses/dependents are eligible for expedited applications for applying to teach in Maryland with an out-of-state teacher license or with passing test scores and other licensing requirements.
• Veterans and their families can utilize several support programs, such as the G.I. Bill or MyCAA.

In most cases, it will take four years in a traditional teaching program. However, it ultimately depends on the type of teaching program you choose and where you are in your academic career. 

• Bachelor’s degree + licensing programs take four years
• Master’s degree + licensing programs take three years or less
• license-only programs and alternative licensing programs can take as little as one year

You can see different programs and their lengths in our Program Explorer.

You can apply for financial aid such as scholarships and grant opportunities to help make teaching programs more affordable. 

Types of program-specific financial aid:

• Institutional grants or scholarships: these are unique to your program’s institution, and help cover some or all of the cost of tuition.
• Teacher or education specific grants or scholarships: these are aid opportunities aimed to support future teachers
• Stipends or tuition assistance: residency programs will often offer a stipend to help pay for living expenses and may even offer tuition assistance to cover the costs of your teacher preparation program, too
• Federal financial aid: You can apply for free financial aid that gets directly sent to your institution, and may make you automatically eligible for other scholarships or grants 

You can learn more about financial aid for Maryland teachers in our financial aid guide. 

Teaching preparation programs vary in cost, but there are financial aid resources available, especially for teachers and educators. 

Financial aid options in Maryland:

• Scholarships: financial assistance that does not need to be repaid, and is offered based on a student’s merit, need or athletics, such as the TEACH Maryland Scholarship. 
• Grants: a financial award that does not need to be repaid, such as the Guaranteed Access Grant.
• Loan forgiveness: a cancellation of some or all a student’s loans after meeting specified requirements such as on-time payments, service commitments and tenure. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is a good example. 

Financial aid opportunities can be federally, privately or institutionally funded. You can learn more about financial aid for Maryland teachers in our financial aid guide. 

To teach special education, you will need to go through a teacher preparation program that offers licensing in Special education, as well as take a few exams.

Requirements to teach Special education: 

• Take a teacher preparation program that offers a license in Special education
• Pass content and pedagogical exams: Special Education: Foundational Knowledge, Foundations of Reading or Teaching Reading: Elementary as well as the edTPA in Special Education.

You can find programs that offer licensing in Special education on our Program Explorer.

In Maryland, there are four main requirements to become a licensed teacher. The requirements may become more specific with each teacher preparation program. 

The key requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree: you must have a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field to the subject you want to teach. The standard GPA is 3.0.
• Teacher preparation program: you must take an approved teacher preparation program, either traditionally or in an alternative route, which leads to initial licensing.
• Subject area exams: you will need to pass tests in your chosen subject area, as well as the Foundations of Reading or Teaching Reading: Elementary tests if you are a future elementary teacher.

Learn more about becoming a teacher in Maryland on our website.

While GPA requirements may vary depending on the program and university, you can generally expect to see a cumulative GPA of 3.0 as a requirement for most teacher preparation programs in Maryland. You can view GPA requirements for programs in our Program Explorer. 

There are a variety of online resources available to help prepare you for the required exams to become a teacher. 

• TEACH.org resources, like free coaching and test guides
• edTPA: The edTPA website gives an overview of the edTPA process, including instructions and tips for submitting your materials.
• For the Praxis Core and Praxis II: Study.com offers free test prep with video lessons, practice quizzes and more.
• Foundations of Reading: Check out the Foundations of Reading preparation materials page. 

You can learn more about test preparation in our testing guide.