How to Become a Teacher Without Going Back to College

One of the most common misconceptions about becoming a teacher is that you need to go back to college for another degree. For many adults—career changers, parents, veterans, and paraprofessionals—that assumption alone can stop the journey before it even starts. The reality is much simpler. You can quickly and easily become a teacher without going back to college. Read below for step-by-step instructions.

What You Don’t Need

Let’s start by clearing up common misconceptions.

• You do not need a second bachelor’s degree in education.
  • The bachelor’s degree you hold, in any subject, is enough to qualify you for teaching.
• You do not need to quit your job to attend classes.
  • Alternative teacher certification programs allow you to get certified without interrupting your life. Self-paced means you can study where and when it works for you.
• You do not need to take on student loan debt.
  • No unnecessary college classes means no unnecessary college fees. Instead, alternative certification programs are affordable, allowing you to complete without any loans. American Board, for example, is the most affordable certification program in most states at less than $2,000 total.
• You do not need to spend years in a traditional teacher prep program.
  • Alternative programs aim to leverage the education and professional experience you already have. Although many programs may claim to be alternative, you can complete true alternative programs in a matter of months.

What You Do Need to Become a Teacher

While requirements vary by state, most alternative certification pathways are built around a straightforward set of expectations:

1. A Bachelor’s Degree
Your degree does not need to be in education. In fact, teacher candidates come from business, science, healthcare, the military, and countless other fields. Stay-at-home parents with a degree in any field can also use these programs!

2. Completion of a State-Approved Certification Program
This is where alternative certification comes in. Programs like American Board are designed specifically for adults who already have content knowledge and life experience.
**The most important part of selecting an alternative teacher certification program is making sure you pick one that is state approved. Many alternative programs exist, only a few are state approved. Non approved programs may provide you with a completion certificate, but you will not be able to obtain a state-license through these programs. If you’re unsure about the program you’re considering, contact your state board of education to confirm approval and acceptance.

3. Passing Required Exams
Typically, this includes:

• A subject-area exam
• A professional teaching knowledge / pedagogy exam

These exams demonstrate that you understand both what you’re teaching and how to teach it effectively.

4. State-Specific Requirements
Some states require background checks, fingerprinting, or brief mentoring once you’re hired. These are standard and manageable steps.

Why Alternative Certification Exists

School districts need qualified teachers—and they need them now. Alternative certification programs were created to expand the teacher pipeline by removing unnecessary barriers. These programs support community professionals as they train and transition into an education career. Most importantly, alternative certification programs allow you to become a teacher without going back to college by allowing you to continue working while preparing for your next role.

In other words, these programs are intentional—not shortcuts.

A Smarter First Step: Preview Before You Commit

If you’re still unsure, you don’t need to decide everything today. Many candidates start by simply previewing what an alternative certification program looks like.

For example, American Board offers a free trial that allows you to:

• Explore sample coursework
• Review study materials
• See how the program is structured
• Decide if this path makes sense for you

There’s no payment required and no obligation to enroll.

Teaching May Be Closer Than You Think

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to teach, but I can’t go back to school,” it may be time to revisit that assumption. For most adults, becoming a teacher isn’t about starting over. Instead, it’s about building on what they already know.

Learn more at AmericanBoard.org.