How Career-Changers Become Teachers with Online Degrees

Changing careers can feel like a bold move, but for many, the rewards far outweigh the risks—especially when the new career is teaching. With opportunities to shape young minds, engage in meaningful work, and make a difference in your community, it’s no wonder so many professionals are drawn to the education field. So how does someone with no prior teaching experience make this switch, particularly if they’re balancing current employment, family commitments, and other responsibilities? The answer often lies in online teaching degree programs. These programs are designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind, empowering career-changers to smoothly transition into education.

Whether you're currently a corporate worker, an entrepreneur, or in the medical field, becoming a teacher is more attainable than you might think.

Steps to Make a Career Change to Teaching

Becoming a teacher involves several steps to ensure you're fully prepared to educate and nurture the next generation. Here’s how you can chart your path to the classroom:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first and most essential requirement to teach in the majority of public schools is a bachelor’s degree. If your current degree isn’t in education, you’ll need one focused on teaching or a post-bachelor’s certification program. Online teaching degrees allow career-changers to pursue this vital qualification without having to quit their current jobs. Look for programs that include coursework in child development, educational psychology, and classroom management.

Pass a Background Check

Before stepping into a teaching role, states require all candidates to pass a thorough background check. This is a vital step to maintain the safety and integrity of schools. Many online programs provide resources to help students understand this process and ensure compliance with their state’s regulations.

Complete Required Examinations

Depending on the state, aspiring teachers must pass specific certification exams. These tests often assess general teaching knowledge as well as proficiency in specific subjects or grade levels. Some well-known exams include the Praxis series or state-specific tests. Online degree programs frequently incorporate exam preparation to help students succeed.

Gain Preclinical Experience

Gaining classroom observation and hands-on practice is a crucial early step in teacher preparation. Preclinical experience (PCE) allows you to shadow experienced educators in real classrooms, helping you learn how lesson plans are implemented and managed. Often coordinated through your online degree program, this is your first step in applying your learning to real-world settings.

Complete a Period of Student Teaching

Student teaching is the capstone of teacher preparation, requiring you to take on the role of the lead teacher under the guidance of a mentor. Online programs often partner with schools near you, making it possible to fulfill this requirement without relocating.

Prepare a Résumé and Cover Letter

Crafting an effective resume and cover letter is key to standing out during the hiring process. Incorporate keywords from the job description into your résumé to better align with what schools are seeking and increase your chances of being noticed by hiring committees and applicant tracking systems. Tailor your resume to highlight any relevant educational experience, transferable skills from your previous career, and certifications specific to teaching. Focus on communication, leadership, collaboration, and adaptability—qualities highly valued in educators. In your cover letter, share your motivation for transitioning to teaching and your commitment to student success. Finally, personalize your letter for each application, referencing the specific school and position, to demonstrate your genuine interest and attention to detail. 

Meet Additional State Requirements

Every state has its own unique licensure requirements, which may include additional coursework, fees, or ongoing professional development. Research your state’s guidelines early to identify required coursework, fees, or deadlines. Many online degree programs provide state-specific support to guide students through this process.

Skills Needed to Make a Career Change to Teaching

Transitioning to teaching requires more than passing exams or completing a degree. Successful educators possess a specific blend of soft skills that help them create motivated students and well-managed classrooms. Here are some key skills every teacher should develop:

• Communication skills: Teachers must articulate ideas clearly to students, parents, and colleagues, while also listening actively to understand the needs of others.
• Patience: Every student learns at their own pace, and it’s crucial to empathize with their struggles while maintaining encouragement. 
• Creativity: Engaging lessons often require innovative approaches to teach complex concepts in relatable ways. 
• Organization: From lesson planning to grading, a teacher’s workload demands strong organizational skills to stay on top of responsibilities. 
• Leadership: Teachers serve as authority figures who must effectively guide a group of students, inspire confidence, and maintain discipline. 

Developing these skills while working through an online teaching degree can set you up for long-term success in your new career.

Why Choose an Online Teaching Degree

Online teaching degrees have transformed the landscape of education preparation, offering career-changers unprecedented convenience and accessibility. Here’s why they’re an excellent choice:

• Flexibility: Online programs allow you to balance coursework with your current job and personal obligations. With asynchronous classes, you can learn at times that work best for your schedule. 
• Affordability: Many online degrees are more cost-effective than traditional brick-and-mortar programs, saving on tuition, commuting, and housing expenses. 
• Access to diverse resources: Modern online platforms often incorporate interactive tools like virtual classrooms, simulations, and forums to enrich your educational experience. 
• Tailored support: Online programs are often designed to meet the needs of adult learners, offering personalized academic advising, career services, and flexible deadlines.  
• Broad accessibility: Living far from a university campus or having mobility challenges is no longer a barrier—online degrees make education accessible from virtually anywhere.

Start Your Teaching Career at WGU

Switching to a teaching career is a life-changing decision, offering unique opportunities to impact lives while pursuing personal and professional growth. With the support of an online teaching degree, you can turn this dream into a reality. Designed with working professionals in mind, WGU’s School of Education is fully online, offering the flexibility to study whenever and wherever it suits you. At WGU, taking the leap into teaching becomes not only possible but convenient and empowering. The classroom is calling—are you ready to answer?